…forgiveness is always possible!

Charaktocracy, Part 2
     'The Way' from Kevin Pauley

The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left undone and, as I directed you, to appoint elders in every town: someone who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion. For an overseer, as God’s manager, must be blameless, not arrogant, not quick tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute…

The Incorruptible Word (3-29-11)
     'Today's Little Lift' from Jim Bullington

"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because 'All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever.' Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you." (1 Peter 1.22-25). In the text just quoted, Peter identifies…

This Book tells Us About God, About Man and About Ourselves.
     'Word from Scotland' from Sandy Shaw

We come to Daniel Chapter 4 and verse 27 – As we have been reading of this incident in the life of King Nebuchadnezzar, where we see both judgment and concern, a question arose in my mind. What about all the poor people in the cities? What about all those who were suffering in Babylon at this……

Forgiving self... is that biblical?
     'Refreshment in Refuge' from Gina Burgess

Someone once pointed out to me that the notion of forgiving yourself was not a Biblical principle. I hunted and searched for hours trying to find something in the Bible about forgiving oneself. The closest I came was David’s Psalm 51 when he asked God to create in him a clean heart and to renew a right spirit within him. When you compare his Psalm 32 in verse 3 When I kept silence, then my bones became old, through my howling all day. We see the consequences of unconfessed sin. But that is different from forgiving one’s self for past transgressions which we have confessed…

Affectionately and Watchfully
     'Voice of Inspiration' from Andy Castro

Isaiah 46:3-4 (NLT) "Listen to me, all you who are left in Israel. I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (Amp) Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, …

The Implant Age?
     ''Christ in You...'' from Dale Krebbs

It has been suggested by some that since technological advancement is escalating at such an increasing rate, something must done to enable commerce to verify the true identity of anyone using a credit card or other medium to facilitate commerce safely. Several suggestions include an eye implant, or a chip installed in the hand, or perhaps an implant in the head of a potential buyer or seller to facilitate verification of someone performing a transaction. Those who dishonestly attempt to circumvent the common verification methods seem to be becoming more and more complicated.…

The Birth Of A Hero
     'Inspiration For You' from Randy Mitchell

When you think about your personal heroes, what names come to mind: a parent, sibling, action figure, military veteran, or stranger you witness saving a life? Maybe it’s the elderly lady selflessly serving free Thanksgiving meals inside the homeless shelter, an ER Doctor working exhaustively for three days straight, or just someone that reaches out their car window at an intersection handing over a dollar bill to a stranger in need. No matter who they are, we all want, and wish for someone who’s larger than life. Heroes come in many shapes, forms and patterns,…

Bible and Quote - April 20-24
     'Bible verse and quote' from Jan Couns

.how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1 We can dispense with uniformity if we possess unity. Charles H. Spurgeon, 1834-92 God remembered us in our low estate, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, Psalm 136:23 Our Saviour kneels down and gazes upon the darkest acts of our lives. But rather than recoil in horror, he reaches out in kindness and says, 'I can clean that if you want.' And from the basin of his grace, he scoops a palm full of mercy and washes our sin. Max Lucado, Upwords Psalm of David. I will…

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

Did anyone ever tell you that you had an ‘attitude’? I have. By this, I mean I have sometimes had what people consider a bad frame of mind. When I have less than a pleasant outlook, I look at things as being very dark—a lot like the glass is half-empty. As a child of God, I do him dishonor when I complain and grumble about things, especially those I cannot change. While I read in our newspapers about many events that could cause me to become disheartened, God has taught me to look at those issues with His eyes. …

Train Up a Child
     'Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life' from Tom Kelley

One day, while in WalMart, I watched as a little boy not more than four accidently knocked a box of Pop Tarts from an aisle display. Before I could even wonder what would happen, the little fellow stooped over, grabbed the box of Pop Tarts and replaced it in the display being careful to make sure that it was sitting just right. I was amazed. I have seen similar scenes in stores before. They always seem to play out the same way. The child knocks something over, the parent says for them to pick it up and the child doesn't while the parent just walks away. Later, the parent knocks…

Ephesians 5: On Divorce
     ''Winging It' from Stan Smith

Ephesians 5 is famous for what it says to married couples (Ephesians 5:17-33). Or should I say "infamous"? Truth be told, a lot of people, even Christians, don't much like it. All that "wives submit" stuff and all. Gotta do something different, right? Well, in fact, we don't get that option if we're going to be true to the Word of God. We need to stick with what He says. My point here, however, is not to repeat the very clear commands of God that wives submit to their husbands and husbands love their wives as themselves. I mean, it's abundantly clear, even if…