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5/2/2004 A 70-year-old grandfather was asked by his young grandson how things have changed since he was a kid. His reply is worth reading. "Well, let me think a minute. I was born before television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees and the pill. There weren't things…

In Shattered Dreams, Patrick Mead writes, “Following God involves courage, but not risk. Once you’ve settled that you will follow God no matter what, you have nothing to lose; you’ve already surrendered your hopes, dreams—even shattered ones—to Him. You’ve determined that you don’t just want to know…

Eric Talmadge is a veteran journalist working for the Associated Press’s Pyongyang bureau in North Korea. Since 2013 he has spent about ten days a month inside the country, always accompanied by an agent of the state. “I just assume that everything I say, to anyone, is on the record,” says Talmadge.…

David Kime was a WWII veteran. After his funeral at age 88, his funeral cortege slowly passed through the drive-thru lane at Kime’s favorite Burger King. Each of the 39 mourners had a burger and a 40th burger was placed on Kime’s casket and buried with him. When I reach the final judgment I hope my life…

Joshua Venuthurapalli says he was a young man headed for trouble, but his life changed because Jesus answered his prayer and sent angels to protect him. Joshua’s father died when he was only a child. Though he was born into the Hindu high-caste Brahmin, without a father figure he soon became involved…

One of the characteristics that young people look for today in the church is authenticity. How do you know when something is authentic? When going to Panda Express for lunch we assume we are eating Chinese food. Right? Panda Express is planning to expand into China, where they will find their menu a…

1 - Ephesus (2181 - Ephesos = “permitted”) Revelation 2:1-7 Passover - (Ex 12:11) - Yahweh Yira (יֵרָאֶה יְהוָה) – ‘The LORD provides’ - (Gn. 22: 8) - Spirit of the Lord - (Is 11:2) - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - (Mt5:3) - “Father, forgive them; for they do not…

SEEDS OF CONTEMPLATION for PENTECOSTAL PASTORS Joseph S. Girdler District Superintendent, KYAG August 26, 2008 *Some people have said, “I’d rather have wild fire, than no fire.” … Or, would we? *What do you do when someone gives a message in tongues and there’s no interpretation? Music worshipfully,…

The number of people who claim no religious affiliation, meanwhile, has doubled since 1990 to fifteen percent, its highest point in history. Christianity is plummeting in America, while the number of non-believers is skyrocketing. A shocking new study of Americans’ religious beliefs shows the beginnings…

In 1993, Lt. Col. Gary Morsch joined the Army Reserves as a doctor to care not only for U.S. soldiers, but also for wounded civilians and prisoners of war. In 2005, as a part of the war in Iraq, he was called up to serve as the field doctor for a battalion near the Iranian border. He would take care…

Ever gotten advice you didn’t ask for? If you’ve lived through your teenage years, I’m sure you’ve gotten plenty of it. Well, I’m not a teenager but some time ago I got some advice just like that. It was a beautiful summer day, just right for biking. By the way, this is my favorite time of the year and…

Who stands fast? Only the man whose final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, or his virture, but who is ready to sacrifice all this when he is called to obedient and responsible action in faith and in exclusive allegienace to God--the responsible man, who tries to…

Be faithful in the small things for you never know when God will require more of you. As a nation, America has a rich history. This country was founded by men who believed God’s Word, many of whom were ostracized and even persecuted for their roll in founding America. Of the fifty-six men who signed…

He was the riverboat gambler of the patriarchs. A master of sleight of hand and fancy footwork. He had gained a seamy reputation of getting what he wanted by hook or crook—or both. Twice he dealt hidden cards to his dull-witted brother Esau in order to climb the family tree. He once pulled the wool over…

America's Spirit During his sermon at the Washington National Cathedral on the National Day of Prayer and Remembrances for the victims of the terrorist bombings on the World Trade Center in New York, NY and on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Dr. Billy Graham drew a parallel between the destruction…

PRACTICALITY Jim Sandall, pastor of Agape Baptist Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, recently received a joke over the internet that made a spiritual impression in his heart. The joke went like this: A psychologist, and engineer, and a theologian were on a hunting trip in Canada. Seeking shelter, they…

CHANCE Does fortune really smile on a select few people? What role does luck or chance play in our lives? The experience of a Wisconsin church suggests there are no such things as either luck or chance, but that God is involved in everything that happens. In August 1992, a tornado swept through a small…

ATTENTION CHILDREN: The Bathroom Door is Closed. Please do not stand here and talk, whine, or ask questions. Wait until I get out. Yes, it is locked. I want it that way. It is not broken, I am not trapped. I know I have left it unlocked, and even open at times, since you were born, because I was afraid…

TEMPTATION The little calf on the end of the lasso had his feet firmly planted resisting the tug of the rope. Today Gary Wittmayer would be the "cowboy" who would throw (lay them down) the calves so that the cowboys could vaccinate, brand and make steers out of the young bulls. This was Gary's first…

The famous actor Gregory Peck was once standing in line with a friend, waiting for a table in a crowded Los Angeles restaurant. They had been waiting for some time, the diners seemed to be taking their time eating and new tables weren't opening up very fast. They weren't even that close to the front…

The "Scholars' Translation" of the Gospel of Thomas by Stephen Patterson and Marvin Meyer These are the secret sayings that the living Jesus spoke and Didymos Judas Thomas recorded. 1 And he said, "Whoever discovers the interpretation of these sayings will not taste death." 2 Jesus said, "Those who seek…

Flight Instructions Alaska Airlines Thanks to a retired Alaska Airlines Captain for sending this "paraphrase" of a memorable safety PA from their Flight Attendants.In his own words: "I was flying to San Francisco from Seattle this weekend, and the flight attendant reading the flight safety information…

In the chapter on When Sin Won't Let Go Mark Galli illustrates that even the greatest of leaders have besetting sins. He does this by illustrating the anger of the great reformer, Martin Luther. He had been preaching in his church for years, but the longer he preached, the more discouraged he grew. People…

REST A new study suggests that companies that operate all-nights shifts to increase profitability may not realize the total cost of maintaining a third shift. The study by Circadian Technologies of Lexington Massachusetts suggests the night shift may cost companies upwards of $206 billion a year, roughly…

The problem with ‘biblical justice’ by Greg Boyd ---- Over the last couple months I’ve participated in several panel discussions on faith and politics. And there’s something that has left me a bit confused. Over and over I’ve heard well-intentioned Christians emphatically proclaim that we need to stand…