It is hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us once again!  What a time of great memories and wonderful times of fellowship and rest with those we love…As Christians, our celebrations of Thanksgiving and Christmas cause us to look up – to remember the Source of our blessings and the Savior Who came to be our sacrifice for sin…

The art of giving thanks is one thing that separates man from the animals, or at least it should. Ray Stedman, in his book Folk Songs of Faith, relates an experience of Dr. Harry Ironside in a crowded restaurant.  The story goes that just as Dr. Ironside was about to begin his meal, a man approached and asked to join him.  Ironside invited him to have a seat.  Then, as was his custom, Ironside bowed his head in prayer.  When he opened his eyes, the other man asked, “Do you have a headache?”  Ironside replied, “No, I was simply thanking God as I always do before I eat.”  The man said, “Oh, you’re one of those, are you? Well, I want you to know I never give thanks. I earn my money by the sweat of my brow and I don’t have to give thanks to anybody when I eat.  I just start right in!”  Ironside said, “Yes, you’re just like my dog.  That’s what he does too!” Read more…

Just around the corner is our annual T3 Youth Conference, here at Eastland Baptist Church.  This will be the third year we are hosting this conference and we’re looking forward to seeing what the Lord will do as a result.  The dates for this year’s conference are December 28-30th.  One unique thing about this conference is that it’s tucked between Christmas and New Year’s, at a time when teenagers are out of school and left with nothing to do.  T3 serves as a challenge for teens to start their New Year off in the right way—serving God and studying His truth!

In John 17, Jesus is giving His formal farewell to the disciples.  He begins chapter seventeen with a prayer, both for Himself and then for Christians.  Jesus also prays here for future generations of believers, those who will hear the Gospel long after His death on the cross.  John 17:17 records these words of Jesus, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Right before Jesus lays down His life, He lays down a pattern for future believers to know Him— Read more…