…free from your burdens!

Jesus groaned in the spirit
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

This Sunday morning we are studying John 11. I never get tired of studying this passage because there are so many volumes spoken in these few words. Jesus illustrates His perfect purposes in this chapter. One of His famous I AM statements is here. He weeps. He is troubled. His glory is illustrated in such magnificent ways I am constantly astounded. He is so amazing! “A person can cry for multiple reasons.” I have grown up a little since I wrote that last year in a column titled Jesus Wept. I said that I believed Jesus wept because of a deep compassion…

Canoe and the Waterfall
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

Two men were escaping from their enemy. At one point they made a small make shift raft in a river so it would help pull them down stream. It was working pretty well until they realized there was a waterfall not to far in front of them. They suddenly panicked as the water current got stronger and was pulling them faster and faster to the edge of the deadly waterfall. With the sound of the waterfall haunting them they narrowly escaped as they desperately struggled to swim to the rivers edge. This is how life is concerning self-development. Let's clarify the meaning of self-development.…

Reaping As We Have Sown
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

America today...and Tomorrow?? Will there be spiritual revival in America? Are we too far away from God and a from spiritual revival? Is there a way back into God's favor and protection? This judgment comes on nations and churches, when they forget God, and begin to depend upon their own wisdom and resources. America, traditionally has been the bulwark of Christianity. But has it drifted too far from its moorings? Is there hope for America again? There comes a time for individuals and nations when God allows them to simply reap what has been sown. There is deep-seated undefinable…

The Magic of Summer
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

We all have certain things which make us feel happier, content, less stressed, and wanting to claim more from life. For some, it’s the smoothness of silk against their skin, the adoring face of a puppy, a friendly encounter, a child’s laughter, or the sensuality of a lovers kiss. True, all these things can bring a huge smile to ones face and they definitely do mine, but I’ve also learned that weather can have a humongous impact on an individual’s emotional outlook, giving many a needed boost after the depressing effects of grey skies among bone-chilled…

Bible and Quote - March 24-28
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. Psalm 94:19 Minds are very prone to contemplations more puzzling than profitable and we have been vain to hope to untie them ourselves; only God’s mind shall perfectly unriddle our thoughts and in the end bring joy. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-92 Bless the Lord’s name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Psalm 96:2 Witnessing is not putting on a Christian front as to convince prospective customers. Witnessing is just being honest - being true to what God has…

Peace
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“For, ‘the one who desires life, and good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. He must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.’ 1 Peter 3:10-11 (NASB) The Apostle Peter sets down some guide lines for His readers. He encourages them, and us, to refrain from gossip (keep our tongues from evil) and not twist facts to suit us. (to steer away from untruthful talk.) We have to learn how to steer clear of evil and place our focus on the good things of life. He tells us that we who want to have…

When Pigs Sing
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Paul Dickson once said, "Never try to teach a pig to sing; it wastes your time and it annoys the pig." I used to work on farms during the summers of my teen years. One farmer, Robin Wright (no not THAT Robin Wright...this was a guy 20 years older than me), raised hogs. Every now and then I would have the chance to work the hogs with him. It was difficult work but fun, nonetheless. One particular day we were trying to get the hogs to go through a run to a chute and into a pen. One sow wasn't cooperating. She kept turning around and going back the other way which created confusion…

Going to Church
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

I'm going to use a phrase which, I'm pretty sure, will conjure up an image to most of you with reasonable similarity. "I went to church last Sunday." Okay, now, I'm pretty sure that most of you now have some sort of an image that involves a building, a sign on the front, maybe a cross or something, a place in which people gather. And if I were to tell you that phrase, that image would be fairly accurate. Here's the thing. Nowhere in Scripture can you find anything remotely like that image associated with the word, "church". Jesus said, "Upon this rock I…

Patience of the Sands
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city. – Proverbs 16:32 Many years ago, a French company decided it was going to mine the desert. It brought in its machines, pushed aside the huge dunes building in their place an airstrip and a building complex. They hooked up huge diesel-powered generators and began digging. But the Sahara has been around a while and is unimpressed by our civilization. After all, it has seen many human empires come and go. Like a dragon sleeping on its hoard, it jealously guards millions…

Peace Equates to Comfort (12-29-10)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Peace and good will toward man are wonderful and unfathomable blessings! Among the significant sayings of the angelic chorus to the shepherds, perhaps their words about peace are best known. As a part of our study on comfort, we submit the greater context (Luke 2) in which the angel's words about peace are found. 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And…

Some People Think Their Ways Are Better Than Gods Ways
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Give ear – pay attention – come to me – hear me. We are reading these opening words of Isaiah Chapter 55 – and these are such simple words in verse 3 – words of one syllable, coming from a man of God. Isaiah goes on to speak to the people of Israel -……