…you are the image of your creator!

Our Children Are Our Future
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

I’m the proud uncle of two outstanding teenage boys. Both are heavily involved in sports, school activities, church groups, and scholastic organizations. They’ve been raised well, and are both on their way to positive futures with nothing but full lives ahead. One recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, an honor within the Boy Scouts of America organization carrying with it a super-high level of honor and achievement. It’s something that only a small percentage of young people ever reach within that establishment, and it required a huge dedication of time,…

Bible and Quote - February 23-27
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

.I love Your commandments Above gold. Psalm 119:127a For those who fear God and walk uprightly, prosperity does not destroy the holiness of his life, or the humility of his heart. Charles Spurgeon, 1834-92 I esteem right all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way. Psalm 119:128 God’s Word is to be the plumb line of life. Kay Arthur, teacher and author, Precept Ministries International The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 Wonderful is the depth of thy words, whose surface…

Come By Here
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will fl their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) I recently received a small devotional book from a blogging friend. As I read part of it one morning, I felt the need for God’s presence to be near the circumstance she described. As I thought about different issues affecting Christian people, I found myself asking God to “Come by Here.” The…

Speed or Desire?
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

As a youth, and on into my young adult years, I played a number of different sports which required that I run and run fast. At various times during my sports ventures I was actually timed for my speed. I was not the fastest person on the team when such times were taken. In truth, I was generally somewhere in the middle of the pack as having "normal" speed. But I never worried about it. I was able to get to that deep fly ball to center field. I could get behind the defensive back and catch the pass and then outrun the defender to the endzone for the touchdown. I could run…

Love Fervently
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

We know we are supposed to love God and love our neighbors. We know we are even supposed to love our enemies. We know we are to love our spouses and our families. Lots of love going on here. So it is no surprise that we are not told merely to love but to "fervently love". Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:22-23) That's…

T'was the Night Before Christ
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

The night is almost gone, and the day is near Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. - Romans 13:12 (NASB) It was just another night[1] like millions of nights before it. Kings were issuing decrees, busily consolidating their power. Normal people were working their jobs, completely focused on making money, feeding their families, talking to their friends and waiting for their ship to come in. So common – so normal. It’s interesting that Luke focuses on the night before Christ’s coming. I wonder if it’s related…

Do You also to Them (3-16-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

“An epitaph,” according to Wikipedia,” is literally: 'on the gravestone' a short text honoring a deceased person, strictly speaking that is inscribed on their tombstone or plaque, but also used figuratively. Some are specified by the dead person beforehand, others chosen by those responsible for the burial.” The particular one I remember one specific day was short and simple; it just said, “She lived by the Golden Rule.” I don't think she (whoever she was) wrote this epitaph for herself; rather, it appears that someone who cared for her ascribed…

Prophets Hear What God is Saying and Then Proclaim His Message
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

As we have looked at the opening Chapter of the book of Jeremiah are there any common concepts that might help us understand the nature of prophecy in 2026? When sweeping through the Bible seeking to have an overview of these past 6,000 years, we come to the prophets. It can be helpful to sweep through parts of……

Whiteout-Blackout
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

If you’ve ever been a snowstorm you may have experienced a whiteout. In my experience in a whiteout, I couldn’t see very far in front of me and lost my sense of direction. There was so much snow and cloud cover, I could only see vague outlines of dark objects. I was surrounded by so much “white”, I was uneasy and uncomfortable with my surroundings. On the contrast I’ve also experienced a total blackout. During a tour of an underground cave, the tour guide shut off the only light we had in the cave. We were standing in total darkness. With our eyes…

Jesus the Christmas Tree
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

In my house this year, we had a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. You know, rather small and insignificant looking with only 70 lights and a few red bells for decoration. It is a live tree, though, green and straight, not leaning over, or withered looking. We were just too sick this year to drag out all the decorations or to do much shopping. However, in your living room or somewhere in your house there may be a green tree standing tall and draped with beautiful, tinkling jewels of light and glory. I didn’t hear much conversation this year about Holiday tree versus Christmas…

Failure
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

Do you often fail? For some, failure is more than just an occasional departure from the norm. The norm is seldom a consistant success. Failure seems to be the norm. We fail the expectancies of others around us; our friends, even our loved ones, neighbors, co-workers, fellow Christians. But why? Granted that seems to be so, but why is it so. Why is it the norm rather than an occasional mess up. God has not forgotten that we are flesh and blood, and not perfect. Why can't all of us always do the right thing, say the right words that would make up what God would have us say, and…