Our mission is to help people develop a relationship with God through the study and application of His word. We seek to be a truly welcoming and dynamic Christian community where people can connect with God, with each other, and with opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others.Improving Spelling - Improving Churches
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
Anyone familiar with the English language knows what a mixed up language it is. The reason is both historical and linguistic. Historically we are a nation built upon immigration. Linguisticly American-English absorbed and continues to absorb words from a variety of languages, melting them into an American alphabet soup. American-English is not a pure bred language, it is a mutt.
Every child, and every foreigner has struggled with spelling this mutt of a language. Take for example, the word “knight.” Only half of the letters in this word are pronounced: N-I-T. And yet, “nit” is pronounced nothing like….NIT (i.e., KNIGHT).
The Satirist Mark Twain contrived a plan for improving spelling:
“For example, in Year 1 that useless letter `c’ would be dropped to be replaced either by read more » »
Your Neighbor
Friday, August 22nd, 2008You may or may not know me by name. I’m the guy who works the same shift at the plant. I’m the woman who sat at a nearby table the other day at the doughnut shop. I’m the grease-stained mechanic who periodically works on your car. I’m that old man who walks his dog past your house every morning. I’m the teenage hot-rod who cut in front of you on the freeway yesterday, and then glared back in disgust as if it was your fault. I’m the feeble old lady who lives in seclusion in her house down the street. I’m that obnoxious beer guzzler you had to sit by at last night’s baseball game, whose loud mouth you endured through extra innings. No, I’m not a Christian. I’m just your neighbor.
You might not like the way I read more » »
Wonders from the Word - Was Jesus Ugly (Isaiah 52:14)
Friday, August 15th, 2008Was Jesus Ugly? Be honest, doesn’t that question make you cringe? We don’t want to call Jesus ugly. That would be an insult, wouldn’t it? Neither do we want an ugly Jesus…right? How many movies have an ugly Jesus? Even Hollywood prefers a good-looking Jesus, and we know how most on the left feel about Him who is on the right hand of God. Can you imagine the uproar if they made a movie with an ugly actor portraying Jesus? Jesus with sharp, clear, dark eyes; flowing, curly hair; tall and majestic looking; strong and healthy, is how I want my Jesus to look. How about you?
But…His appearance was read more » »
On Purpose! - Life’s Unfair
Friday, August 8th, 2008Life’s unfair. No matter how you look at it, life’s unfair. Despite my believing in God, still life’s not fair. Let me say it again – Life’s unfair.
To prove my point, let’s look at Luke 2.
Joseph had to return to Bethlehem for the census (Lk.2:3). The rule to return to your “own city” (Lk.2:3), apparently was required only in Egypt and Palestine according to historical sources. Why? Don’t know. Don’t care. But what I do know and care about is that being treated differently is unfair.
Why the census? Either for population or tax purposes. Regardless of which, Rome had to know who was in its empire so that they could tax the people, didn’t they? But did Joseph vote for Augustus? No. Hadn’t the Romans ever heard that “taxation without representation” wasn’t fair? Don’t think they cared. So when Joseph was required to make a trip, a trip guaranteed that he would get taxed, read more » »
Wonders from the Word - Talking Tools (Isaiah 10:15)
Friday, August 1st, 2008Not once, not even a little bit, have my tools burst out bragging. Yes, there are different levels of tools, but even the best tool in the wrong hand is inferior to the worst tool in a skilled hand.
The heart of the king of Assyria was arrogant and haughty. He said, “By the power of my hand and by my wisdom I did this, for I have understanding.” (Isa.10:13) Believe me, there is even more that he said. God responded, “Is the axe to boast itself over the one who chops with it? Is the saw to exalt itself over the one who wields it? (Isa.10:15)
We have too many talking tools. But not read more » »
On Purpose - Hang Time
Thursday, July 31st, 2008What do you think of when you hear the name, “Michael Jordan?” What made him so famous? Was it his ability to shoot free throws? How about his three-point shot? Would anyone argue that it was his all-star defense? Hardly. What made Michael Jordan world famous is the same thing that made his predecessor, “Dr. J,” a household name. His ability to dunk with style, finesse, power and showmanship - plus one more dunking ability.
When Michael Jordan won one of his dunking championships, he did it because of read more » »
Wonders from the Word - You Are What You Worship (2 Kings 17:15)
Friday, July 25th, 2008You are what you eat, so they say. That must be true because I love doughnuts and I am soooo sweeeet! Of course, some may argue that like a doughnut I have a hole in the middle of my head too!
While we might not be what we eat, we are what we worship. The following axiom has the power to challenge us, comfort us, frighten us or shame us – read more » »
On Purpose - Do Not Omit A Word
Monday, July 21st, 2008If you could, would you choose not to obey certain commands?
If you could, would you choose not to believe certain truths?
If you could, would you add to or take away from the Word of God?
“If you could,” is not a hypothetical question – we do it every day. It’s called read more » »
On Purpose! Hair Replacement For Dogs Only
Monday, June 30th, 2008Boca Raton, Florida has a reputation for being somewhat hoity-toity. Due to this reputation a sign I saw did not shock me – “Hair Replacement For Dogs Only.” Yep, this is Boca! Upon closer examination, I learned read more » »
Wonders from the Word - A Good Parent’s Bad Influence (2 Chronicles 17-21)
Thursday, June 26th, 2008Warning! Our children might not be as strong spiritually as we are! Frighteningly and sadly we can be naïve about their spiritual weakness. Therefore we need to watch so that we don’t cause them to stumble over something we can easily step over. Just because we are tough enough does not mean our children are. That’s the sad, but essential, and eternal, lesson I learn from Jehoshaphat. He was a good parent, but innocently a bad influence.
Jehoshaphat was one of the better kings of Judah. He…
- Respected God – (2 Chron.17:3-6)
- Educated his people in God’s ways – (2 Chron.17:9)
- Appointed wise judges (2 Chron.19)
- Provided for his sons – (2 Chron.21:2-3)
- Turned to God during times of national trouble (2 Chron.20)
His fatal flaw was not fatal for him but for his son. His fatal flaw was his relationship with the evil king from Israel – Ahab – the worst of the worse (2 Chron.19:2-3). One of the best was strong enough to handle the very worst.
To be honest with you, I think Jehoshaphat’s fatal flaw was read more » »
