By Jesse Becker
Jack and Pal are our family dogs and are as opposite as Abbot and Costello. Jack is tall and slender, smart and athletic. Pal short and pudgy, dumb and cute. We love them both. On occasion I have to contain them with dog ties and harnesses. When I come out to them, Pal always pulls his tie to its limit, but Jack does not. In fact, he’ll jump with excitement straight up in the air with the tie relaxed beside him.
By Jim Ramsey
The Apostle James in his epistle asks the question, “For what is your life?” (James 4:14) to provoke our thinking about priorities and the brevity of the time we have to “make our mark” in the world. Mankind has always been curious about 3 things: (1.) Where did I come from? (2.) Why am I here? (3.) Where am I going? As Christians, we know the answers to these “BIG 3” questions!
The BIG question for us about the “BIG 3” questions is: Does my Christian life clearly reflect the One Who is my real reason for living?
By Jim Ramsey
It is hard to see our brothers and sisters in Christ go through times of suffering, loss, and hardship. Our consolation in Christ is that even though trials are a part of life, a part that is unavoidable for all of us, God has given us an advantage in such times! Scripture is clear that I will face trials–that it takes courage to face my problems, to strive for holiness, and to live for God in an increasingly non-Christian culture. So, what IS the “unfair advantage” I have over the non-Christian in facing trials?
By Daniel Fleet
Have you have ever had a season in your life that was particularly difficult? If you are a human being with breath then you probably have! When life is hard and circumstances are difficult, I almost always look for comfort in the book of Psalms; it’s a great book where you can find help, healing, and hope.
By Andrew Calabrese
Are you excited about Christmas? I am–excited to be around family, open presents, and reflect on God’s goodness–Christmas truly is one of the “most wonderful times of the year.”
By Jesse Becker
The first cell phone I ever owned would make my children laugh today. It was rather large, had a single-color LCD screen that only displayed digits, and it didn’t have a single app. No angry birds here! I can’t tell you what happened to it since I’ve moved on, and obviously I don’t miss it. Today I use one of the latest iPhone models that does more than desktop computers did just a few years ago. Now it seems my entire life is on it—photos, music, calendars, contacts, tasks, notes, emails, weather, and even music. Technology certainly changes and changes quickly.
by Jim Ramsey
For thousands of years tales of a spring that supposedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters have been recounted across the world. The legend became particularly prominent in the 16th century when it became attached to the Spanish explorer Ponce De Leon, the first governor of Puerto Rico, who supposedly was searching for it when he traveled to what is now Florida in 1513.
by Daniel Fleet
In our world of technological advancement one would think we are creating an easier environment for social connections. However, a recent article on msnbc.com entitled, “No friends? It’s worse for your health than being fat,” states that instead of growing closer, people are becoming more and more socially isolated. The article supports a growing body of research that states that in the last two decades Americans are growing in their loneliness. Research concludes that Facebook, texting, chatting, and other electronic connections are not the same as friendship and are not an adequate substitute for friendship.
by Jim Ramsey
I truly married a “Proverbs 31” woman! I love how she is so meticulous in her plan for being “a keeper at home,” and am amazed at how she keeps it all so clean and organized, in spite of frequent visits from the grandkids! It is great to never be afraid to invite someone over because of fear of a “dirty house,” but I find that my definition of “dirty” and her definition of “dirty” are miles apart! She notices little things I don’t see, and I always try to help her stay on top of things. The point is: there is a lot of effort involved in keeping a clean, well-maintained house, and the process demands consistent attention.
by Jesse Becker
Numbers 14:24 “But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.”
“Life happens.” I’ve said it, and maybe you have too. We are talking about life’s circumstances that are out of our control. As believers, we know that ultimately God is in control of everything and nothing just “happens.” There is something, however, which God has given us to control, and that is our spirit or outlook on the circumstances around us. That control can make a lot of difference in our world.
