…you are the image of your creator!

Popped Corks
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Ever see a bottle of champaign opened? The cork in a bottle of wine is inserted before the fermentation process is completed. As a result, great pressure builds inside the bottle from the fermentation. The cork, when given a little nudge, pops off the bottle. Sometimes it gets fired across a room, sometimes it just pops up a tad. Fermentation is the introduction of a living organism to a fruit juice which causes the sugar to change to ethyl alcohol. The process causes carbonation which builds the pressure under the cork. It's kind of like what happens when you shake a bottle…

Anthropocentric
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21). A "word of the day" entry: "anthropocentric". We can find a dictionary definition, but let's see if we can figure it out from its roots. "Anthropos" is the Greek word for "man" -- primarily "man" as a group, not a gender. You know ... humans. Then there is the "centric" part. I think most of us can figure that out. So, simply put, "anthropocentric" means "centered on humans". On one hand, it is fundamental to humans to be anthropocentric.…

Parent Types
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

Discipline your children while there is hope. If you don’t, you will ruin their lives. - Proverbs 19:18 Let me ask you a question: What kind of a parent are you? “Peter Pans” try to be mistaken for their teen’s older sibling. They know the name of the lead drummer of the latest rock band and can actually recite the words of heavy metal songs. They watch MTV and share clothes with their teens. “Good old boys” try to get along with their kids by sharing beer with their underage friends and lending them a car for their date alone…

Comfort and Light (12-30-10)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

The greatest story, the story of comfort and light, continues with quotations from Luke 2: 21And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 22Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law…

Never Allow the Word of God to Frighten You
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Isaiah 56 - "This is what the Lord says" – might that phrase frighten some people – as with these words Isaiah Chapter 56 opens - and this is one of the main reasons why we come Sunday by Sunday - to hear what the Living God says. And not just on Sundays –……

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…