…you are the image of your creator!

The Love of a Son
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Every now and then you realize that you have slipped up. Last night I sat with my son, Sean, in the upper arena of Rupp Arena in Lexington and watched my beloved Ohio State Buckeyes win their first round game of the NCAA National Basketball Tournament. At one point my emotions got the best of me and I put my hand on Sean's shoulder and told him, "Thank you, son. I love you." That was such a tremendous gift for a son to give his father. Then I remembered why I am such a fan of the Buckeyes. I had a father, too. My dad was raised in the radio era. He used to listen to…

Running
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

This is a marvelous passage from Hebrews. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2) I really like it. I like the imagery of running the race. On one hand, it is work. On the other, it is of limited duration. I love the…

God's Bells
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. - Psalm 18:2 The citizens of Feldkirch, Austria, didn't know what to do. Napoleon's massive army was preparing to attack. A council of citizens was hastily summoned Easter Sunday to decide whether they should try to defend themselves or display the white flag of surrender. The pastor rose and said, "Friends, we have been counting on our own strength, and apparently that has failed. As this is the day of our…

Justification X (2-24-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

Today's message contrasts those who caused problems for Jesus and those who did not. What we will find is exactly the opposite of what we might expect. It was also the exact opposite of what many thought in Jesus' day. We will let the following text speak and then make some observations about it. "Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore…

Who Is God Raising Up and Sending Today?
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

As far as we know Habakkuk had no call like Isaiah or Jeremiah - no vision of God - but he did have an argument with God. You never know what is going to happen when you talk with God - when you pray. He asked questions - he interceded for Israel. He reveals himself as a man of urgent intercessory prayer. ……

Reacting to wrongs committed against us
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

How can it possibly be all right for any person to sin and then to blame someone else for the sin? How can it possibly be all right for any person to sin against another person causing havoc, chaos, hurt, and heartbreak? It is not. It never will be all right. God never said it was all right. This is precisely why He sent His Son to die on the cross. It was to reconcile Him to us, His creation. No sin can enter into His presence. We have to be covered by the blood of Christ so that the sin is atoned and we are reconciled. That does not make sin all right.…

A Perfect Life
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

Can a Christian be perfect? The answer is “no”. And then - “yes”! Sometimes we as Christians become disheartened and discouraged because something we do or hear from others makes us realize that we are not who we thought, or what we thought we had overcome. We grieve within ourselves that we did this or that, or said this or that or - yes, we thought things we should not as God’s children. We are stunned when we are reminded we are not as perfect as we thought. Reality sets in. Then discouragement settles in. To recover we must perform a reality check.…

Mangled Mind-Psalms 91:15
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

'He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. ' Psalm 91:15 KJV lamcoaelamoanca;owea'fj'alsd'fj.... My mind looks like this when I'm trying to write but getting nothing. Chaos is the word. Or maybe confusion. I'm stretching and striving to put something together, and it isn't working. That's how my spirit looks when I'm concerned about my future or my present. When I compare myself to others or lean toward…

Oil and Our Future
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

There I was, filling up my car, watching the digital numbers flying at warp speed inside the glass on the gas pump, and then cringing at the grand total when the trigger on the handle finally clicked. It wasn’t a good feeling; it made me angry, and caused me to become even angrier knowing that it didn’t have to be this way if only the folks in Washington would learn to do what’s best for the American people. Look around. Most likely you’re sitting inside somewhere, taking a break from your everyday life, and giving me some much appreciated attention. The…

Bible and Quote - November 3-7
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And give me life in Your ways. Psalm 119:37 He that considers how he must close his life will find nothing of so much importance as to look with indifference upon whatever is useless. Samuel Johnson, English Poet, Critic and Writer, 1709-84 Confirm Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You. Psalm 119:38 Don’t be satisfied with putting on a happy face and saying that all is well between you and God when you’re doubting or embittered in your heart. Admit your heart-struggle…

Patience: Where did it go?
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

Patience: Where did it go? We know what the Bible says about patience; it is a Fruit of the Spirit. (Gal5:22.) It is a quality possessed by God “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as we think of slowness; He is patient with you not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.”(2 Peter 3:9 NIV) Job demonstrated patience as his three friends tried to help him understand what had happened to him and why. The patience Job exercised was due to the fact that none of these three friends’ explanation…