…free from your burdens!

Chaparral Christians
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. – Matthew 20:26-28 Long before humans began building mini-marts, 7-11s and parking lots, much of the Sierra forest was open and park-like. Huge tracts of sequoias towered over the land. Occasionally a fire would go through, clearing out the underbrush. Not only would the fire clean up the area, certain plants…

Justification IV (2-10-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

If a person believes that he/she must be right about all essential points of doctrine in order to go to heaven, the most malignant and destructive form of self deception has gone to seed in that person's heart. Yet, this was the religious climate in which I grew up and in which I labored as an adult minister for many years. Please note that I placed the phrase essential points of doctrine in italics; the reason for this will become clear as today's message unfolds and as others follow along this same line. It is not wrong to want to be right! But, it is wrong to think that one…

Gods Purpose and Plan is Unfolding
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

I Thessalonians Chapter 2 – It was not for nothing that we came – it was not for nothing that all this has happened. Have you seen God’s plans and purposes unfolding in your life? God owned and honoured Paul’s ministry Verse 2 – What had happened to us……

End of Times thoughts to ponder
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Could we take a minute here and look at the Lampstand at Ephesus? The New English Bible translation says in Revelation 1:20 "Here is the secret meaning of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and of the seven lamps of gold: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven lamps are the seven churches." Then Revelation 2:5 says: "But I have this against you: you have lost your early love. Think from what a height you have fallen; repent, and do as you once did. Otherwise, if you do not repent, I shall come to you and…

The Two Evils
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

The Two Evils Some refuse to allow themselves to believe in God, and especially Jesus Christ, complaining that “God is not fair”! Of course, God is completely fair. The problem is in the understanding of the meaning of fair, as it relates to the evils they see in the world. Understanding that there are two kinds of evil will help us to view evil more clearly. There are two kinds of evil relating to God and mankind. There is a moral evil that proceeds from the heart of humans that originated with the disobedience of Adam and Eve, and passed to subsequent generations…

Who's Your Daddy
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

'But Jesus was in the stern, asleep [with His head] on the [sailor's leather] cushion. And they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are about to die?" ' Mark 4:38 AMP How could Jesus be asleep in the middle of a violent storm? …

Two Movie Reviews: Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol & Red Tails
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

I love movies, and being the red-blooded guy that I am, two recent releases advertising some adrenaline-filled action caught my eye causing me to walk inside the darkened rooms of the silver screen. I've seen both of these movies within the past few days and thought I'd share some of my insights on both before you pluck down some of your had-earned dollar bills. Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol: This is the fourth installment of the mega-successful thriller which actor, Tom Cruise, has made famous again by resurrecting the theme of the TV series from decades past. Cruise,…

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

The upright man will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7 Trust is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold on the promises of God and cling to Him despite the adversity that at times seeks to overwhelm us. Jerry Bridges, 20th century The upright man has given freely to the poor, His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor. Psalm 112:9A godly man’s liberality has salted his righteousness, proved its reality, and secured its perpetuity. Charles Haddon…

What God Requires
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

“What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humble with your God.” Micah 6:8b Micah outlines a plan here, one that all followers of Christ should adopt as their way of life. “To Act justly. . .” We are to act without showing favoritism. When a person faces a trial in court, a jury hears the evidence and then delivers a verdict. What amazes me is the process of selecting those twelve people. The courts send out questionnaires to a certain group of candidates. The questions are on the order of:…

Stuck in a Rut
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

It was one of those rounds of golf that was not all that bad. It just wasn't really good. Everything I hit was hit left with the exception of about three shots. I was scrambling for scores and not getting some of the ones that I thought I would, given my greenside positions. However I got lucky on a couple of holes and actually pitched in to save two pars. It's one of the three shots that I hit to the right that I want to talk about. They were ugly shots and left me scrambling to save bogies. Trouble was that they were shots where I was trying to correct my "left-itis." …

Husbands, Love Your Wives
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

It is clear (at least to any reasonable reader) that Scripture holds that the husband is to be the head of the household. The Bible repeatedly says that wives are to submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1-6) -- that the hierarchy is Christ -> man -> wife (1 Corinthians 11:3). It takes a carefully turned blind eye and skillful linguistics to wriggle out of this certainty. And, to be sure, the rise of radical feminism has surely produced many a blind eye and skillful linguist. But the Scriptures are not unclear. It's not surprising,…