From a sermon a few years ago.     We are in the middle of a sermon series on the many objections people have to going to church, why they leave the church, and why some return. The series is based on a little booklet that lists ten of these reasons, reasons discovered in a survey […]
2392) Reasons to Stay Away from Church (part 1 of 2) Read More »
Above: The Sinking of the Titanic, Willy Stower, 1912 —————————   In the spring of 1912 the world stood in awe. A colossus was setting out on her maiden voyage. The pride of the White Star Line was a marvel of modern engineering. At 882 feet long, she was the largest ocean liner ever
2321) Saved or Lost? Read More »
Above painting:  Saint Sebastian pleads with Jesus for the life of a gravedigger afflicted by plague during the Plague of Justinian. (Josse Lieferinxe, c. 1497–1499) ————————————– By John Stonestreet and Shane Morris, March 24, 2020, at: http://www.breakpoint.org    We aren’t the first Christians to face times of plague and pestilence. History tells of several devastating
2278) Christians, Plagues, and Pandemics Read More »
Adapted from the February 8 Standing Strong Through the Storm daily blog at: http://www.opendoorsusa.org —————————————- Micah 7:7-9 — But as for me, I keep watch for the Lord, I wait in hope for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Do not gloat over me my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise.Â
2233) China’s ‘Man of Iron’ Read More »
By Jayson Casper, January 13, 2020, at: http://www.christianitytoday.com    A hostage video released last week by Boko Haram did far more than issue another plea for rescue from a Nigerian Christian. It revealed a modern-day Shadrach (see Scripture verses from Daniel 3 below), proclaiming his faith in God who is able to deliver him
2214) Hostage Proclaims His Faith Read More »
By Philip Yancey, posted March 25, 2019 at: http://www.philipyancey.com    I once attended a retreat with a prominent Palestinian legislator, activist, and scholar. She introduced herself by saying, “I am quadruply marginalized. I am a feminist woman in a male-dominated society. I am a Christian from a predominantly Muslim society. I am a Palestinian,
2047) A World Changed by Jesus Read More »
By John Stonestreet and Roberto Rivera, posted February 11, 2019 at: http://www.breakpoint.org    Since 1936, 323 players, managers, executives and umpires have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. What they all have in common is that none of them, not even Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, or Joe DiMaggio,
By Rick Warren, in his Daily Hope devotional, July 1, 2018, at: http://www.pastorrick.org Luke 6:31 — (Jesus said), “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”    One of the greatest tests of your character is how you treat people who are trying to serve you. Whether it’s a waitress, a
1908) Don’t Be Rude Read More »
From Standing Strong Through the Storm daily devotions, posted at: http://www.opendoorsusa.org —————————    Satan uses and plays on one of the basic elements and instincts of our nature— fear. It is natural for finite man to fear— especially the fear of the unknown, the fear of being hurt and the fear of death. There
1812) “You Christians Are Crazy” Read More »
By Randy Alcorn, posted March 21, 2018 at: http://www.epm.org ———————-    If I could give parents one piece of advice, it would be this: When it comes to your children’s lives, no one can take your place. So, don’t wait for someone else to talk to your kids about Jesus. Do it yourself. Read
1806) Watching Your Children Watch You Read More »
