…free from your burdens!

The Fulfilling Marriage
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

What do you look for in a spouse? Is he right for me? Is she good looking? Is he successful? Is she funny? Will he support me? Will she support me? Men and women may have some differences in what they're looking for, and individuals may vary even more widely, but there is, I think, at the bottom a common core. "Will this person help me toward self-fulfillment?" What do you want in a marriage? It probably looks fairly similar. Does he love me like he should? Does she give me what I need? Again, this stuff may vary, so perhaps the best place to look for an answer is in…

A Satisfied Princess
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what things God has prepared for those who love Him. - 1 Corinthians 2:9 There once was a princess who married a very wealthy commoner. He loved his wife and wanted to please her. So he bought her a huge mansion filled with the most expensive furniture money could buy. He purchased an exquisite wardrobe with each dress having been hand-made by the most famous designers. There were servants for every imaginable need. However, while she smiled when he presented her with yet another gift, she never…

Mercy and not Sacrifice (October 5, 2010)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

The principle of mercy being preferred before sacrifice is an overarching principle that is intended to influence all that we think, do, or say. It is extremely sad that many of the folks who seem to pay the least homage to mercy are the same people who uphold the Bible and claim to be lovers of God. Mercy is akin to compassion, pity and love. It arises from the heart of God and has been manifested to His Creation every minute of every hour that the world has stood! God’s mercy is inexhaustible though there will come a time when the window of mercy closes for the human race…

Experience and Understand the Significance of Pentecost
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

What happened at Pentecost and how is this so highly relevant to the Church of Jesus Christ today? Why does this matter? It is much more important than many realise. I always knew there was something more – but it was not until January 1969, when Jim Kincaid walked into our Fraternal and……

What's to be thankful for in this?
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

The Associated Press has a story on the tragedy in Texas where a train crashed into a parade float killing four veterans: Killed were Marine Chief Warrant Officer 3Gary Stouffer, 37; Army Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Boivin, 47; Army Sgt. Joshua Michael, 34; and Army Sgt. Maj. William Lubbers, 43. Then there is the story of Hostess Bakeries that has gone out of business after almost 100 years leaving 18,000 people without jobs right before the holidays. Perusing headlines can make a person want to sit down a cry. But, when it happens to you and your family it touches a nerve that can…

Storms Of Life
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

There are some striking analogies that can be seen in Acts chapters 27,28 of the Bible, which describe the Apostle Paul's amazing journey to Rome on ships of the sea. These chapters are full of suspense like no other in the New Testament. It is a riveting drama of reality. Why so much space allotted to a voyage in ships? Paul isn't pictured as preaching to anyone except one or two on an island in which he was stranded. Although in story form, these chapters in God's word are intended to speak to us in a special way. As well as being a gripping story, it speaks volumes to the spiritual…

I See Dead People (Updated Version)
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

It's true. I see dead people. It's not a daily occurrence but, on average, every couple of weeks or so. I have to wonder why I am privileged to see them. I didn't ask for this, and I certainly didn't expect it to happen. When it first happened, I was quite shocked and moved emotionally. It took me back to the time when I was a child, and my grandmother died. I wept bitterly. I recalled the last time I held my nineteen-month-old son, who had just been pronounced dead. The pain was so profound; I couldn't cry. I'm at a hospital five days a week. I see these dead people…

The Coming Socialistic Nightmare
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

I woke up feeling sick today; nauseated at the decision recently handed down by once conservative Supreme Court Justice, John Roberts. Last week, with a stroke of a pen, America’s financial landscape was drastically changed and placed on the spiraling pathway toward a socialistic republic. It was exactly what our idealistic, anti-business, pro-entitlement, ultra-liberal President wanted. He got his wish (for now). And currently, the fate and future of our beloved country is solely being placed in the hands of November’s elections. Once again, I’m sick and can’t…

Bible and Quote - March 17-21
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

(As the Philistines prepared to attack) . David inquired of the Lord, and He said, ‘You shall not go up (frontal attack like last time); circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees. 2 Samuel 5:23 Trust God. Follow His rules of combat. As illogical as they may seem they inevitably lead to victory. Kevin Pauley, Christian pastor, writer (God to David) And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. 2 Samuel 5:24 Timing is so important! If you are…

Prayer and God's Will
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“Be in pray at 5:00” The co-lay leader of our church spoke those words to me as I waited to shake hands with our pastor on a Sunday after worship service. I knew why she asked for prayer. On two separate occasions that past week, I heard her ask for prayer for an unspoken request. I responded to her comment. “ I know about that need and I will continue to pray.” The need was great. I felt the weight of the circumstance when it came to my attention on Friday. The basic information came to me through my reading our local newspaper, making the…

In His Glorious and Awesome Name Deut. 28:58
     'Point of Reference' from Fred Price

The first three commandments of the Decalogue speak directly to our relationship with God. The first being, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Ex. 20:3 For, “The Lord our God, the Lord is One.” Or “alone.” Deut. 6:4 The second commandment cautioning, “You shall not……