…you are the image of your creator!

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……

Revisiting Wedgewood Baptist Church
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

My daughter wailed, "I wish God would quit strengthening me. I'm so tired of all these trails and tribulations!" That was several years ago. She has since matured greatly in the Lord. I am amazed at how much in such a short space of time. Then someone asked me to send them "that thing from that Baptist church where that shooting took place." It took a minute for me to remember what "that thing" was... and where it was. When I found it, I read it again and tears just poured down my cheeks. It was then that I realized there are many, many blessings…

How Paul Became So Eloquent In The Gospel
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

It seems that constantly Paul's credentials as an Apostle and minister of the gospel was being questioned and even criticized, and doubted. To some degree, this continued his entire life as a minister of the Gospel. Much of the criticism and suspicion surrounding his ministry arose from his supposed lack of credibility as an apostle because he had not been called during the time that Jesus walked on the earth and personally taught other apostles. He seems to often have to defend his apostleship. Sometimes, his credentials did not seem enough to many of the converts from the Jewish…

Breaking Records
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

"Bob Beaman's legs gave way, and an astonished and overwhelmed Beamon suffered a brief cataplexy attack brought on by the emotional shock and collapsed to his knees, his body unable to support itself, placing his hands over his face. The news was overwhelming. Bob Beaman shattered the Olympic Long Jump record,……

Books, Children and The Art of Giving
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

In order for a disadvantaged child to become educated, skilled, resourceful and ready to tackle the world with competitive spirit, the books and developed love of reading they have available to them oftentimes arrive through the love of selfless hearts. And right now, there are literally hundreds of book drives and charities which, through the use of volunteers and determined will, deliver free books and other reading materials to low-income children who otherwise wouldn’t enjoy the world of literature. For children to become strong readers, they need books in their…

Bible and Quote - November 24-28
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

You are good and do good; Teach me Your statutes. Psalm 119:68 Let thy unexampled love constrain me into holy obedience, and render my duty my delight. The Valley of Vision, Puritan Prayers and Devotions, 1600/1700s It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. Psalm 119:71 One learns by reading. A few learn by observation. The rest have to wet on the electric fence for themselves. Will Rogers, American, Actor Your hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. Psalm 119:73 Man does…

A Litmus Test of Our Faith
     'God's Words For US' from Cecelia Lester

A Litmus Test of Our Faith Grace and Peace “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and our Lord Jesus Christ” 2Peter1:2 (NIV) Grace, God’s unmerited love-or receiving something we don’t deserve. It comes to us as a gift when we ask Jesus into our hearts. Peace, the presence and experience of a right relationship, a desire, a goal, and a gift from God. True peace belongs to those who turn away from their sin and ask the Father’s forgiveness. Peter tells us we can have these gifts in abundance…