…you are the image of your creator!

How long does it take to fall in love?
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

I always know when the music swells and the snow starts falling the movie is over, and the couple, entwined in each other’s arms will live happily ever after. However, for the two hours (or hour and a half depending on commercials) before this special moment the couple have waged a battle of the sexes or have montage-d through a breathy song or two to fall in love. They look deeply into each other’s eyes and suddenly realize that life is unbearable if the other is not around. They seem to know this because we need another montage and breathy song to tell us they…

The Longing To Obey
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

The book of Psalms is the longest Psalm and also the longest chapter in the Bible. It is perhaps the most loved, the most read, and the most memorized section of the Bible. This Psalm has a theme throughout that is easy to miss because it speaks to so many people in so many different ways. There is a feeling of desperation in chapter after chapter, and verse of verse. Why did the Psalmist write what he did, the way he did, with the emotions that are so profound and inspiring? Try to imagine the emotion that the Psalmist is experiencing as he pens these verses. He is led by the…

Creative Workshop
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

I have an issue I must work through regularly. It's embarrassing. I reach for attention through my words written from visuals in my mind. To write or not to write is my constant question. I realize I must learn to keep my soul and spirit separate from my gifting. My gifts are accessories in my life to complete……

The Lottery of Giving
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

If you were like millions of others recently, your eyes probably darted to the television set sometime in the later evening hours while the Mega Millions jackpot was being drawn. After all, there were only around 650 million dollars up for grabs to the lucky winner(s), and most likely, visions of what you could do with all that free cash flew through your mind at super-light speed as the balls on the screen began to drop into their final resting places. Winning the lottery is one of our ultimate fantasies, a sudden life changer (for better or worse), and offers a unique blend of…

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

My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before You. Psalm 9:3 Let no name but Jehovah be carved on the trophy reared on the battlefield. Alexander Maclaren, 1826-1910, British Baptist expository preacher You have upheld my right and my cause; you have sat on your throne, judging righteously. Psalm 9:4 When God acts, it will be in just the right time, the right place, and the right way. Lifeway, Explore the Bible, Summer 2007 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever. Psalm 9:5 A person, family…

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

As believers, we have a privilege to approach God with our needs and concerns and those of others. It is a special treat to pray for another person. What is prayer? Prayer is the way we present ourselves to God. We spend time in adoration of Who He is. We confess our sin and our needs to Him. Then, we spend a time of thanksgiving for all the deeds He has done for His people. Also, we include a time of supplication, a time of asking God to protect people, heal their hearts or bodies, or intervene in their need. What does God give…

The Right Tool
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

Last evening I had the privilege to view the tool collection of a friend of mine. I am not talking about Shopsmiths and digital saws. I am talking about tools from current times to way back. They are all kept in a garage. There are literally thousands of tools hanging in this man's garage. Many of them are not your average wrench. I was shown wrenches for every purpose you could imagine. If there was a need to remove a nut a wrench was invented to accomplish the job. Everything from the forerunner of the Crescent (R) wrench to old time buggy wrenches were found hanging on…

Why December 25th?
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

Skeptics and purists alike are quick to point out that December 25th is not Jesus's birthday. Indeed, the singularly most common answer given from all sides as to why Christians celebrate the birth of our Savior on December 25th is that the early church was simply redeeming a pagan holiday. That answer is everywhere. It is true ... right? Maybe not. The truth is that the Bible tells us nothing at all about what time of year Jesus was born. Oh, there are hints. There were, for instance, shepherds in the field. That is not a year-round occurrence. Some suggest it was lambing season,…

Plan special time with Christ
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do…

Justification XII (3-1-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

A huge serving of gander sauce was served up when I asked my friend where he would draw the lines of spiritual fellowship/support should he take steps to depart from the church tradition in which he and I had been reared (see yesterday’s message for a more complete explanation). This forced me to consider where I had drawn my lines of fellowship and the reasons they were drawn where they were. Drawing lines of fellowship (i.e. deciding who is right in God’s sight and who is not right in God’s sight) is a huge undertaking. Once one starts down that path there…

You Cannot Break the Commandments of God and Thrive
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

Habakkuk is very honest – “Lord, how long?” He saw all the violence - corruption - injustice. A prophet cannot stand these things, but God has to change Habakkuk's outlook for a different reason. Habakkuk is changed around and is transformed by God. This is hard - when God brings the……