…you are the image of your creator!

God's Ballpark
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

One of my favorite times of the year is baseball season. Yeah, I know, it seems interminable. Spring training starts in February and the season ends with the World Series in October. That's nine months. But for a baseball junkie who once had aspirations of playing professionally (okay, so I was ten) it's nine months of heaven. My favorite team to live and die with, and I've died a lot the past few seasons, is the Reds. They're in a new ballpark now which seems a shame considering that they finally got the old one to where it was a decent place to watch a game. I hear the…

The Culture War Is Lost
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

I did a brief search on the phrase "the culture war is lost" and found a host of hits. As far back as 2013 they were writing about how the culture wars are lost. While Jerry Falwell was talking about the "Moral Majority" in the late 70's, we've seen it dwindle to a minority. Today Disney is considering a lesbian relationship for one of their popular animated characters and Pixar is said to be pursuing the same for their sequel to Finding Nemo. The state of Washington is planning to teach kindergartners about transgenderism. Even a young person's video game, The…

Too Busy To Not Pray
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

We can spend our time in prayer and preaching and teaching the word. Acts 6:4 This decision by the apostles came at a time when the Holy Spirit was bringing thousands to the church daily. This growth brought with it very real logistical problems. Don’t you think they had babies crying during the services? Where would they get all the bread and wine for a communion service for five thousand people? Every day there were new widows and orphans to be taken under wing due to the persecutions. A million logistical and bureaucratic needs – all legitimate –…

The Power of "Un" (1-24-11; encore)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Consider the following list of words: Wise, holy, thankful, just, lawful, worthy, merciful, loving, forgiven, fruitful, godly, penitent, righteous, clean, believing, faithful, profitable. Do you like this list of words? Do you see these words as positive human attributes/conditions? To anyone who actually loves God, this list is a virtual recipe for success both here on in eternity. Now let’s turn that list around. Consider each of the words again from this list. Now, in order to illustrate a point, place the little prefix “un” directly before each of these words.…

Speak To Us That Word We Need to Hear
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Isaiah Chapter 40 - comfort my people - put strength into my people - fortress them - speak gently and tenderly. Move like a bulldozer and prepare the way – John the Baptist. Cry out about how temporary things are in this world. No matter how serious they appear - all this is temporary -……

Church politics
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

My favorite verse that gives me hope and helps me trust is Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. When people seem to get in the way of what God is trying to do, I get frustrated. When people take over my job, the task I've been trusted to do, I get frustrated. My column is very late this week because of so many reasons, but I have to remind myself that God is in control. No matter how much a Diotrephes tries to take over, God's work will be done…

Don't Do It!
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

Today we will be discussing the third and final step of this three part series on goal setting. This a different view on the subject since most thoughts on the matter seem to be writing on goals for things and general desires. I am focusing on a biblical view of goal setting. Since Mankind has fallen, God has been in the works to restore Mankind to Himself. We have a large part to play in this restoration. Therefore He has given us a good work to do to help accomplish His restoration plan. The Spirit of God holds the plans and He lives in us. We are to find out what those plans…

What Is God Doing?
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

Have you ever wondered what God was doing before Adam and Eve? Does it matter? We can understand what part of what God was doing in eternity past by observing what He is doing now. Of course we cannot know ALL that God is doing or did know, but we can get a very good idea by looking at what He is doing. (Romans 1:19-21) We can understand what He is doing now by the things He did in the past. The atheist and the passive non-believer are therefore without excuse. Before the universe was created, what else did God create? Many things unimaginable I’m sure. What has been God’s…

The Devil Hates Success
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

Ever had a big dream, huge aspirations to do something truly great, wanted to be “somebody” who is far out of the realm of your personal comfort zone, desired to leave your mark on the world for history to exhibit your legacy? We all have them, deep inside, those hopes and dreams churning within. It’s great when we begin taking action: writing your first novel, blindly flying off to Hollywood to pursue an acting career, working hard for that next promotion, even going after the relationship you’ve always craved. We have but one life to live and should…

Bible and Quote - May 5-9
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

King David sent and brought Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s remaining son who is lame in his feet, out of (a place of hiding and poverty). David said ., "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually. 2 Samuel 9:3-7 I choose faithfulness...Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that…

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

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant doesn’t know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known.” John 15:15 (NIV) This scripture humbles me. It speaks of a new relationship between Jesus and His followers, of which I am one. In Earthly Lives In our earthly lives we are people with relationships. We may have siblings. We might have grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Sometimes people living in certain areas develop special camaraderie among…