…free from your burdens!

Difference between rocks and stones?
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

My very first inkling there was something magnificent in Scripture when God used the word rock was in a youth retreat study comparing the Israelites trek through the wilderness and the Christian lifestyle. There I came face to face with the notion of strict obedience to God’s word because He has special meanings for that obedience. At the time, I had no real idea of the kind of spiritual truth God was portraying with the physical illustration. When He told Moses to strike the rock for water at the first place of contention, Moses did and sweet, fresh water came pouring…

Playing With Eternity
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

“The edge of eternity”!, “from here to eternity”! Movie makers have used the word eternity to create movies to illustrate the finality of actions taken in stories of everything from western gunfighters to supplicated speculations about the destruction of the earth and even the universe. Why this play on the word eternity? The Bible holds a clue: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the…

I See Dead People
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

It's true. I see dead people. It's not a daily occurrence but, on average, every couple of weeks or so. I have to wonder why I am privileged to see them. I didn't ask for this, and I certainly didn't expect it to happen. When it first happened, I was quite shocked and moved emotionally. …

Give The Gift Of You!
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

I was sitting at home this past Saturday morning, thinking of several ways to spend the day. I needed to do some things: a grocery run, dry cleaners, write, lay by the pool and soak up some rays, catch up on correspondence. But, rather than making the day about me, I decided instead to drive across town and visit someone who I’ve known my entire life. A man whose approaching ninety five years old, one of my dad’s best friends, a gentleman who showed interest in me ever since I was able to walk, a guy whose given far more to the world than it’s given him,…

Our Cloud of Witnesses
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked for us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) Our Cloud of Witnesses, who is in it? The writer of Hebrews tells us the heroes of the faith from chapter 11 are there. We believe that people who walked with God and whom we have known when they lived are interspersed throughout. Can we imagine being in that cloud of witnesses…

Bible and Quote - April 7-11
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

O sing to the Lord a new song, For He has done wonderful things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory. Psalm 98:1 We may break ourselves off from all that is sinful in our past lives, and begin afresh, saying, ‘God helping me! I will write another sort of biography for myself for the days that are to come. Alexander Maclaren, 1826-1910, British Baptist expository preacher Serve the Lord with gladness.. Psalm 100:2a Be not an eye-servant or a man-please; serve God with singleness of heart and the Lord who gives you grace to serve, will…

One Big Bug
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

I have always found nature fascinating, even frightening at times. Lightening and thunder storms have been able to keep me riveted for their duration. I have sat and stared at tornadoes in the distance from the front porch of my ancestral home in Ohio. But what has kept my attention more than anything else are the critters that populate nature. Not the big ones that big game hunters bag for wall decorations, but the little ones under our feet that collectors obtain for...uh...er...wall decorations. You know, insects. Many of the people I know are shorter than me while some…

Wrestle Not?
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

It seems to be a common idea these days. We ought to avoid conflict. The mentality of earlier America, for instance, when "Live free or die" was an actual motto and people thought that fighting for freedom was noble is no longer "in". We prefer now a "kinder, gentler" perspective. Do not take up arms. Do not go to war. There isn't anything worth fighting about, at least not seriously. Well, at least not Christians. Christians are not supposed to fight. You know, like the Bible says: "Wrestle not." Except that's not what it says. Here's what…

A Theology of the Trivial
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God." - Luke 1:35-37 God took an ordinary, every day girl and gave her life such a shake that the whole world has been reeling from the results ever since. She was no different from you and I. She did not…

Time (1-3-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

So the story goes that a youthful salesman stopped by a farm one day to peddle his wares. Looking out over the field, he saw the farmer hoisting a pig up into the air so he could reach one of the ripened apples on the tree. Somewhat stumped by the event, he continued to watch; amazed, he saw the farmer do this a half dozen times – lift the pig up, let him down to eat a choice apple, lift the pig up – and repeat the cycle. Being somewhat aware of time management, the salesman could not manage his curiosity. He made his way out to the farmer, introduced himself, and began…

The Living Relevant Word of God Which Pierces and Challenges
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Isaiah Chapter 56 – “Justice” and “Righteousness” are words which appear often in these chapters of Isaiah, and if there is no Justice and Righteousness the consequences can be catastrophic judgment. God provides the righteousness and then He tells us what to do.……