…you are the image of your creator!

The Gathering Place
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

"From the bottom of the hill..." That tag line used to be the lead in for a number of columns that I wrote when we lived in the little community of Waco, near Richmond, Kentucky. We lived on the top of the hill about a quater mile from the recognized hub of the community. That hub was the Waco Food Mart. Along with it's grocery store there was also a rather nice little restaurant. Every morning the local men would gather in there for breakfast and conversation. My neighbor on the hill suggested that I needed to become a part of that gathering, so I did. I never…

Liberty Relinquished
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

The standard definition for the doctrine of Christian Liberty is something like this. Believers are free to do that which God has not commanded them not to do or to not do that which God has not commanded them to do in accordance with faith. That is, if God didn't say anything about the subject, your conscience (guided by the Holy Spirit, of course) should be your guide. The doctrine comes from a couple of biblical passages. One is Romans 14 and the other is 1 Corinthians 8. And most Christians who have heard of this principle are rather pleased with it. Odd thing, however.…

Christ plus…
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

“This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand or perform. It is not up in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go to heaven and bring it down so we can hear and obey it?’ It is not beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear and obey it?’ The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it. – Deuteronomy 30:11-14 We humans complicate things unnecessarily. Adam and Eve were in a perfect environment…

No Corrupt Word (2-1-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Freedom of speech is one of the most revered and precious freedoms which we have in the USA. We can, with very few restrains, literally say anything that we wish to without fear of recrimination from those who might differ or object. This is vastly different from what exists in the majority of the world's population. Governments with state run radio and television stations know nothing of such freedom; every word that is broadcast is carefully scrubbed and polished so as to present only the best side of the government to the listening public. Freedom to speak, however, does not…

I Have Redeemed You, Called you, Formed you You Are Mine
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Isaiah Chapters 44 and 45 are probably not the most familiar chapters in the Bible, but they are part of the Word of God, and they certainly have very appropriate truths to reveal to us in these present days. Israel has been in captivity for now nigh on 70 years, suffering for their sins and that is……

Women and Submission
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

(I'm inserting this sidenote in the middle of this series because it has great bearing on why some women acted they way they did, and it marks a stark difference between the godly woman and the Jezebel of the church.) The first thing to understand is that men and women were created equal. Both were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) In His image He created them, both male and female He created them. Man was not given dominion over woman as in the dominion given to both over the earth and all creation in the earth. (Genesis 1:26,28-30) Woman was created for Man…

Our Cross
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

"Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after (follow) Me cannot be My disciple.” - Luke 14:27 What is your cross that you must bare as one of Jesus’ disciples? Our cross as followers of Jesus Christ in the world today, encompasses many things - the known and of course the unknown, that we never can anticipate; the unexpected changes in life that are difficult to handle in a Christ-like way; the result of the principle of time and chance; and the pressures that living in this world lay upon us. Our cross includes all the uncertainties of…

Psalms 91:2
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

'I will say of the Lord; He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 'Psalm 91:2 KJV Strong's Definition of the word "say." A primitive root; to say (used with great latitude): - answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command (ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use [speech], utter, X verily, X…

Making Everyday A New Year
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

New Years is always special to me. It's looked upon by millions as a passage-of-the-baton, a new beginning, a time to remember events during the prior year, and a way of looking forward to making new memories. It's celebrated by virtually everyone on the planet, and is perhaps the one day which brings more people together as a human race than any other regardless of color, religion, or political affiliation. We all celebrate it differently, and it's by far, more than just a spot on the calendar. New Year's resolutions fly through our minds at warp speed during this week.…

Bible and Quote - October 29 - November 2
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

(David fled from King Saul’s renewed desire to kill him) and went to . Jonathan (who said) You shall not die! why should my father hide this thing from me? It is not so!" 1 Samuel 20:1,2 The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by tenderness of the best hearts. Henry Fielding (1707 - 1754) English novelist (David persuaded Jonathan of the possibility that his father, King Saul was trying to kill him and said) . deal kindly with your servant, for you have brought your servant into a covenant of the Lord with you. 1 Samuel 20:3-8 Friendship,…

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

Two families I know personally are in need of God’s comfort at this time. One family suddenly lost a father/grandfather this past weekend. The gentleman went to sleep and woke up in the arms of Jesus. Another family lost a daughter/a wife/and mother when a lady from our church received her call to go to heaven. Both of these families are caught in the grieving process. The Bible tells us we are not to grieve as those without hope. As Christians, I know we should be relieved that these people’s struggles are behind them but we do miss…