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Just be like an ant. “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?” (Pro. 6:6-9). Have you ever watched a colony of ants at work?  They are selfless and place the survival of the colony above themselves.  Each individual ant has a role to play in the larger scheme of things, and they never argue or shirk their responsibility.  If you have…

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“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13).  There are times when you are driven to your knees in despair.  Times when the impossible seems to have happened and solutions far away.  Problems and trials have risen up like an unconquerable mountain, and fear and desperation have overcome you.  Sometimes it may even seem as if the solutions will never come.  Every agonizing step drains you even more, and you are scared and tired.  Depression takes the place of joy, and the future begins to look hopeless. Even in our darkest hour, though, there is hope. …

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“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10).  It was near the end of his 3rd missionary journey, approximately seven years after he and his companions founded the church (Acts 18), that Paul wrote this letter to them – a church that was in a fair amount of trouble. Corinth was the main land route from the East to the West, where several sea routes converged, but…

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Some keep the Sabbath going to Church BY EMILY DICKINSON Some keep the Sabbath going to Church – I keep it, staying at Home – With a Bobolink for a Chorister – And an Orchard, for a Dome – Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice – I, just wear my Wings – And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church, Our little Sexton – sings.   God preaches, a noted Clergyman – And the sermon is never long, So instead of getting to Heaven, at last – I’m going, all along.   I have liked poems for a long time, and…

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After my post yesterday, at least two concerned readers questioned my youth ministry reference.  They both made similar comments and asked me to show them scriptures to defend youth ministers.  There is no explicit mention of youth ministers in the Bible.  Now, before you throw your hands up, pat yourself on the back and claim a decisive victory over the “liberals,” read the rest of the post.  Over time the church realized the enormous pressure modern society was having on the teens of the day, and as a result, youth ministry developed.  The spiritual needs of “children” are the same…

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“For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psa. 139:13). During my time as a youth minister, more than one teen would come to me for help with self-image problems.  I recall one particularly distressing conversation when a beautiful young girl was sitting in my office.  As often would happen, one of the teens would come and visit with me just for the sake of doing so.  We would speak about their families, school, a crush, youth ministry, or whatever else they wished to talk about.  It was during one of those treasured, unannounced…

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“I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3). If this article sounds familiar to some of you, it is because I wrote a similar one not too long ago, but the topic is so perplexing to me that I wanted to address it again.  Millions of people worldwide will reflect on the past year, remembering both the happy…

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“A fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’  They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds” (Psa. 14:1).  Most of us know this verse, even if it is only the first part.  There are many reasons people choose not to believe in God, and I believe it is a choice.  We make a conscious decision to believe and, likewise, to reject the idea of God.  Either we admit we are sinners in need of salvation and embrace the redemptive work of Christ, or we don’t care to admit our sin(s), and we say, “He does not exist.”   For the…

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“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Philippians 1:12-14).  Not everyone is as fortunate as you are this beautiful day the Lord has blessed us with.  Some are in danger every moment as they courageously take the Gospel to areas in dire need…

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This is unapologetically long because it is for our mothers, “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all” (Prov. 31:25-31).  Since it is a time for family, I want to single out our mothers this morning.  These women…

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