…you are the light on the hill!

The Curse is Gone
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Ignominy. According to the Random House Dictionary of the English Language it means, "disgrace, dishonor, public contempt." In personal life it would be the result of an act that brought about shame to a person. In athletics it can be a particular figure, event or date. It can even be tied to a particular city or franchise, such as Boston. Boston has lived in ignominy since the "Curse of the Bambino." The trading of Babe Ruth to the hated Yankees supposedly cursed the Boston Red Sox baseball club. Until they won the World Series two years ago. How deep was the curse? This…

Washed by the Water of the Word
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

I have always encouraged Christians (because, let's face it, it wouldn't be remotely reasonable to expect if of unbelievers) to allow the truth of God's Word to shape their understanding of reality rather than the reverse--allowing their sense of what's real to shape biblical truth. Now, sure, the left-leaning types (Ecclesiastes 10:2) will complain "That stuff is just your opinion!", but I'm not talking to them. I'm talking to you Bible-believing Christians. Even you--we--tend to apply our experience and (misguided) thinking onto Scripture rather than vice versa. Brothers,…

The First Sin
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. – Genesis 3:6 Adam and Eve were living in an absolutely perfect setting called Eden. They had everything their hearts desired. The only thing forbidden was the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. One day a spectacular visitor, the serpent, struck up a conversation with Eve. The serpent raised in Eve’s mind a question…

Mercy and not Sacrifice (Sept. 30, 2010)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

“As I grew slightly older [than a toddler], I learned through osmosis (or some other scientific process - lol) that it was a sin for an able-bodied adult not to attend the worship assembly (i.e. go to church) on Sunday morning.” (quoted from yesterday’s Little Lift). In this same installment, I posed this question: “Who decides when the hindrance [from attending Sunday church] is providential and when it is otherwise?” As indicated yesterday, to be providentially hindered from church attendance amounted to an excused absence, but my boyhood questions…

What Are We to Do When Others Give Us A Rough Time?
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Let’s return to look at an important character, Joseph – most relevant in these present times. Joseph is given 14 Chapters – Genesis 37 to 50 – and he faces some seven major setbacks in his life. Come, let’s revisit certain aspects of the life of Joseph. Without this……

Talents and gifts
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Is there a difference between a God-given talent and a God-given spiritual gift? Yes, I believe there is. Doing a word search/study on Talents, we first notice that this was a measure of money back in Bible days. I think it is such a word play when we look at the servants of the harsh master. The Master gave each servant according to his abilities. To one, he gave five talents, to another he gave two talents and to the last he gave one talent. Noticing that each received according to his abilities is important. (Matthew 25) The Hebrew word translated talent means round as…

The Saints Who Slept
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

There is section of scripture that is not often addressed in the history of Jesus death on the cross, but this portion of that momentous drama, underlines God's promise to us in a most dramatic way. I It consists of only a few verses in the Bible, but should inspire us, encourage us, and commit us to living a Godly life, and strengthen our hope and faith. After the crucifixion, some who had died and were buried rose from the grave. Apparently, as normal human beings, not as immortals.: "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the…

Pretzel Love-Psalms 91:14
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

'Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high because he hath known my name. ' Psalm 91:14 KJV I like pretzels. I want them hot, out of the oven with plenty of butter on them. I like to look at them also. They intrigue me. The way they are twisted and shaped makes me wonder how pretzels' creator came up with the idea. So I looked it up. According to howstuffworks.com, The world…

Honoring A Father
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

In the spirit of Father’s Day, I’ve decided to begin by telling the tale of one of the best. My father was born in the early 1930’s among the rolling hills of Arkansas, went to that state’s great university, served in the U.S. Air Force as a Sergeant during the Korean War, was employed for thirty plus years in the pharmaceutical industry after college, became married and stayed devoted to my mom for over forty years, was active in church, social organizations, and a dedicated father to my sister and I. He suddenly passed away in 2002, leaving behind his…

Called To Brokenness
     'Point of Reference' from Fred Price

Who in their right mind would desire to be broken (as in experiencing crushing sorrow and disappointment), which can lead to incapacity and ineffectiveness? Yet could it be to our benefit to feel deep sorrow and remorse for our short-comings and sin, which can then lead to a subduing of our rebellious instincts and……

Renew a Right Spirit
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in within me. Cast me not from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Psalm 51:10 (ESV) Prayer of David The prophet Nathan had confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba. David recognized that what he had done was sinful in……