…you serve a risen Savior!

The Creative Life
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. – John 10:9-10 Many people feel trapped by their day-to-day lives. Their jobs are boring and purposeless. They could spend their whole lives doing what they’re doing right now and it wouldn’t mean a thing. If they died, no one would notice outside of their immediate circle of acquaintances or business associates. They dream of living great…

All Things Work Together (Romans 8.28-30)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

We know what He [God] will do because we know what He did! That is the crux of Paul's argument as he affirms that “...all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8.28). What did He do? He proved His love beyond all human expectations or potential! The proof that He yet works incessantly on our behalf lies in a knowledge of how He worked in the past! I am convinced that God will labor just as hard for one soul as He will for a million. His love is without dimensions when it comes to His creation.…

Hanukkah - Its Significance and Relevance for 2023
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Hanukkah begins on Thursday 7 December and lasts for a week. It is not well known but Jesus knew all about it and observed its significance. Hanukkah is an amazing celebration – remembering an astonishing miracle - yet, part of it is not very nice. It is prophesied in the Old Testament and celebrated……

Koin?nía
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Why does He love me so? Remember when love first blossomed? What about now? Is it Saturday Night Fever or is it Monday Night Football? Is it The Sound of Music or The Sound of Silence? Is it $60 a dozen or $1.50 a stem including thorns? Ideal or Idle? Which of these best describes your fellowship with your First Love, our LORD Jesus? Those questions come from one of my very favorite devotions coming to my inbox by Alan Smith of Helen Street Church of Christ in Fayetteville, North Carolina called Thought For The Day I cannot fathom why God loved us so much He…

A Tribute
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

Music is a language. A universal language, given by the grace of God, spoken in many ways by many different peoples, in a thousands of ways. It is the voice of emotion, seeming sometimes to permeate the whole body. Music is a language of God. It is used by angels, and the human profane, the good , the bad, and the ugly. It is the voice of birds, even animals, even insects. It is often used to express profane and ungodly emotions unfortunately. Music conveys meanings, feelings, insights that no other language can transmit. Instrumental music can even drive away evil spirits: "And…

Don't Do It!
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

Today we will be discussing the third and final step of this three part series on goal setting. This a different view on the subject since most thoughts on the matter seem to be writing on goals for things and general desires. I am focusing on a biblical view of goal setting. Since Mankind has fallen, God has been in the works to restore Mankind to Himself. We have a large part to play in this restoration. Therefore He has given us a good work to do to help accomplish His restoration plan. The Spirit of God holds the plans and He lives in us. We are to find out what those plans…

Driving Toward Success
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

Most have imagined lives of incredible richness and success, wanting to claim their stake on earth as part of their individual plans. How we visualize, and drive toward attaining these desires ultimately determines how quickly they become reality. Those of us who make strides in the world of creativity are obviously dreamers. We make something from nothing, hoping it will produce a lasting impact on those we share our efforts with. The artist paints his canvas, the actor rehearses his lines, the musician plays his songs over and over, and the writer, well, the writer writes…

Bible and Quote - October 8-12
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. Psalm 44:3 Dependence on God does not usurp personal responsibility nor does personal responsibility have priority over dependence on God. Through You, we will push back our adversaries; Through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us. Psalm 44:5 In union and communion with God, saints work wonders. Charles H. Spurgeon, 1834-92 For I will not trust in my bow, and my sword…

The Ultimate Forgiveness
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

As a writer, I choose one word each year to adopt as my word to study and to learn about. This year, 2023, I chose the word "Forgive" and its allied words. This is what I learned from a book I discovered in my 'stack'. I recently found a small book by Dr. David Jeremiah in my pile of ‘things’.……

The Trouble With Spin
     'Point of Reference' from Fred Price

I generally try to be positive with everyone, and my comments now hopefully won’t be interpreted as an attack on anyone. However, ongoing news coverage of three individuals, and the issues they represent, seem to me to be symptomatic of society today. The one featured Melissa McCarthy, a plus-sized……

God's Bargain
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Preparing for a yard sale is always a drawn out proposition. The first thing you have to do is figure out what you have of worth to even sell. What is there cozied away in your closet or attic that might be important enough to advertise for people to buy? Then comes the big question. What worth will you assign those things? Real value has to be laid aside here. You cannot dwell on an item and remember that it one time cost whatever. The big word in yard sales is value. Value. Translate that to mean an indescribable bargain. That is what puts people in your sale. They…

Be True to Yourself
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

That's the conventional wisdom. "You have to be true to yourself." That's what they tell you. I mean, wasn't it Shakespeare who said, "To thine own self be true"? And who was wiser than Bill? I would suggest, however, that if you are going to take a biblical worldview, this might not be the best course of action. Consider what the Bible says about self. We all know that God created Man and "behold, it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). "That," most people seem to think, "was that. People are, basically, pretty good." But that's only…