…free from your burdens!

Discussion of Goodness
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Several years ago I wrote several stories , one for each part of the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The story on goodness gave me pause. The idea of goodness is not foreign, but to define it was difficult for me. I’m talking about the biblical definition. If you recall, Jesus said, “There is only One good.” (Luke 18:19) What did He mean by that? There are two Greek words for good. Agathos (ag-ath-os’), a primary word meaning intrinsic benefit or well; kalos (kal-os'),…

Easter-The Great Interruption
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

There is something terribly wrong", ringed the voice in my head as I laid in the shredded lawn. I was semi-conscious and quite unsure of the cause of the accident I was in. It was sudden, quick and caught me off guard. It was the turn. It was sharper than expected and my tires couldn't keep me on the road at the speed I was going. It was a simple misjudgment on my part that flung me from my car and took me to the edge of death. Laying there in darkness, alone and shocked, I wondered if this was the end. I knew where I was going but the thought of death and living forever…

The World Today
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

The world is changing... Perhaps this is an understatement, or perhaps an overstatement depending on the ones who hear the statement. The world, where ever your world is, undoubtedly is undergoing change of some kind. And much of it not for the good. Change per se isn't necessarily bad or evil. It depends on the place and kind of change. Change is particularly noticeable in larger cities, but is occurring also in smaller towns. And even "country" areas. All of these changes are occurring quickly. Sometimes almost breathtaking in degree and speed. Few want to wait for…

Our Children Are Our Future
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

I’m the proud uncle of two outstanding teenage boys. Both are heavily involved in sports, school activities, church groups, and scholastic organizations. They’ve been raised well, and are both on their way to positive futures with nothing but full lives ahead. One recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, an honor within the Boy Scouts of America organization carrying with it a super-high level of honor and achievement. It’s something that only a small percentage of young people ever reach within that establishment, and it required a huge dedication of time,…

Bible and Quote - February 23-27
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

.I love Your commandments Above gold. Psalm 119:127a For those who fear God and walk uprightly, prosperity does not destroy the holiness of his life, or the humility of his heart. Charles Spurgeon, 1834-92 I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way. Psalm 119:128 God’s Word is to be the plumb line of life. Kay Arthur, teacher and author, Precept Ministries International The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 Wonderful is the depth of thy words, whose surface…

Come By Here
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will fl their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) I recently received a small devotional book from a blogging friend. As I read part of it one morning, I felt the need for God’s presence to be near the circumstance she described. As I thought about different issues affecting Christian people, I found myself asking God to “Come by Here.” The…

Speed or Desire?
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

As a youth, and on into my young adult years, I played a number of different sports which required that I run and run fast. At various times during my sports ventures I was actually timed for my speed. I was not the fastest person on the team when such times were taken. In truth, I was generally somewhere in the middle of the pack as having "normal" speed. But I never worried about it. I was able to get to that deep fly ball to center field. I could get behind the defensive back and catch the pass and then outrun the defender to the endzone for the touchdown. I could run…

Love Fervently
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

We know we are supposed to love God and love our neighbors. We know we are even supposed to love our enemies. We know we are to love our spouses and our families. Lots of love going on here. So it is no surprise that we are not told merely to love but to "fervently love". Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:22-23) That's…

T'was the Night Before Christ
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

The night is almost gone, and the day is near Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. - Romans 13:12 (NASB) It was just another night[1] like millions of nights before it. Kings were issuing decrees, busily consolidating their power. Normal people were working their jobs, completely focused on making money, feeding their families, talking to their friends and waiting for their ship to come in. So common – so normal. It’s interesting that Luke focuses on the night before Christ’s coming. I wonder if it’s related…

Do You also to Them (3-16-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

“An epitaph,” according to Wikipedia,” is literally: 'on the gravestone' a short text honoring a deceased person, strictly speaking that is inscribed on their tombstone or plaque, but also used figuratively. Some are specified by the dead person beforehand, others chosen by those responsible for the burial.” The particular one I remember one specific day was short and simple; it just said, “She lived by the Golden Rule.” I don't think she (whoever she was) wrote this epitaph for herself; rather, it appears that someone who cared for her ascribed…

Prophets Hear What God is Saying and Then Proclaim His Message
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

As we have looked at the opening Chapter of the book of Jeremiah are there any common concepts that might help us understand the nature of prophecy in 2026? When sweeping through the Bible seeking to have an overview of these past 6,000 years, we come to the prophets. It can be helpful to sweep through parts of……