…you are the image of your creator!

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……

Bible and Quote - February 25 - March 1
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:5 Sin is not just a sudden thought, or a mere outward act, or an offence committed under the influence of strong temptation: it was the result of an entire corruption of human nature. Albert Barnes, 1798-1870 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being. Psalm 51:6a Every man should know his own heart, that is to say, he should endeavor to get a true and accurate knowledge of his spiritual condition as in the sight of God. Charles H. Spurgeon, 1834-92 And in the hidden part…

The Best Ace
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

The second major of the year in professional golf is being contested at Mamaroneck, New York. Winged Foot is the sight of this year's U. S. Open, which is not just a professional tournament, but also the national championship of our country in golf. One round is now in the books and, as usual, the greatest golfers in the world aren't exactly setting the course on fire. Sub par rounds are not the norm at the Open like they are for other Tour stops. This is the U. S. Open and the course is to play tough. Such is not always the case, though. On this date, back in 1976,…

Me? Submit??
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

I need to preface this by saying that I didn't plan this. I'm reading Ephesians. It just came up. I'm sorry. It's an evil word. "Submit." No one in American culture wants to hear it. We submit to no one. You know, "Don't tread on me." So ingrained is this independent spirit that when the Bible calls up the word, Christians choke on it. 21... submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its…