Category: Church

One of the last things Jesus did prior to his ascension was to issue a commission to the eleven apostles. Although spoken to the eleven, this commission, “Go and make disciples…” is seen today...

I want to start this article by sharing an intriguing passage from the book of Acts. We find in chapter 15 a synopsis of how Peter’s proclamation of the gospel to the gentiles brought...

There is something that is easily understood and accepted within the legal system that is necessary yet dismally lacking in Christian circles. I am referring here to the concept of “witnessing.” In the legal...

How many of us remember much of our high school instruction in English? As I recall, four years of English were required for graduation and the subject was far from my favorite. Shamefully, I’m...

This question is so fundamental and essential to the wellbeing of the church that I can hardly believe it is not being illuminated, researched, and discussed with greater urgency and frequency than is apparently...

In writing this article I think I first need to address the issue of why a believer would be unchurched in the first place. In the interest of time and space I am going...

Psalm 11 This is apparently a Psalm composed by David when he was being subjected to Saul’s irrational envy as well as being the target for his javelin. David may have received some unfaithful...

Back in the day, there was a TV program wherein three contestants all claimed to be the same person. The panel would question them, and then at the end of the questioning, the moderator...

Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made...

In Mark 11, we have the curious and even mysterious account of Jesus’ cursing a tree. On the surface, it appears Jesus is seeking to satisfy his hunger expecting to find figs on the...

Discipline is not a concept readily associated with the church. I think we mostly attribute negative connotations to discipline while connecting it with what we would consider harsh circumstances. We tend to see discipline...

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Ps 133:1 God put a premium on unity! From the very beginning in Scripture, we have the example of...

 Please consider the following scriptures: Go and make disciples… Behold I stand at the door and knock Money is the root of all evil The truth will set you free All things work together...

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. Acts 3:6 KJV The Acts...

What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord,who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs.The autumn...

God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the...

(Sect: a dissenting or schismatic religious body; a religious denomination; excessive partizan or denominational zeal) Houston, we have a problem.” This phrase, popularized in the movie Apollo 13, developed into a meme symbolizing a...

Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you...

(Legacy: something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past) Jehoahaz son of Jehu began to rule over Israel…But he did what was evil in the LORD’s sight. He...

But then something happened! For it pleased God in his kindness to choose me and call me, even before I was born! What undeserved mercy! Then he revealed his Son to (in) me so...

(Fragile: easily broken or destroyed; tenuous, slight; delicate, lacking in vigor) Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Lk 18:8 NKJV The above Scripture capped off...

Supplemental Information Part 3 is simply my effort to share what I hope will be some practical insights for becoming and being authentic church. Many sincere followers of Jesus have concerns over the orderliness...

In part one of this article, we came to realize how the spirit of deception sown by the god of this world has found its way into the church and has transmogrified the essence...

(Deceive: to cause to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid) And when I speak, I don’t speak as a Democrat. Or a Republican. Nor an American. I speak as a...

Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us).   What we take for granted now will soon fade into the fogginess...

One of the exciting and rewarding aspects of studying the Word of God is discovering wonderful truths tucked away where you would never expect to find them. I believe the Lord truly delights in...

They abandoned their towns and fled. So the Philistines moved in and occupied their towns. (1 Sam 31:7 NLT) Back in the 1960’s and early ‘70’s, the United States was involved in a war...

“What is real?” asked the rabbit… “Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not...

(Elusive: hard to isolate or identify; not allowing for a clear perception) When I was a kid, way back in the last century, our neighborhood children would often play a game called “hide and...

Brothers—you sons of Abraham, and also you God-fearing Gentiles—this message of salvation has been sent to us! The people in Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus as the one the prophets had...

(Awful: That strikes with awe; That fills with profound reverence; As the awful majesty of Jehovah.)Noah Webster 1828 It was April, 1945. The war in the European theater was rapidly drawing to a close...

Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, so the...

The title of this article is borrowed from a Walt Kelly Pogo cartoon strip and simply implies that we can easily be our own worst enemy. Kelly’s statement is actually a parody on Admiral...

Jean Paul Sartre once wrote a short story encapsulating the incarcerated lives of three anarchists during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). He entitled his story, “The Wall.” In this story you are challenged to...

Likewise greet the church that is in their (Priscilla and Aquila) house, Rom 16:5 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house, Col 4:15 And...

 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Gal 3:28 NKJV “When the killing starts, make...

One of the strongest motivations in a person’s life—possibly right next to self-preservation—is the desire to order or control the events of one’s own life. Typically we tend to gravitate toward order and predictability...

The story of Naaman, the Syrian (2 Kings 5), when viewed through spiritual eyes, can represent the story of a modern day pastor. He has an outward physical problem depicted, in type, as leprosy,...

How would you feel if you were sincerely participating in a contest, playing by the rules established by the sponsors, only to discover at the conclusion that you were disqualified from your just rewards...

“Oh! What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” Sir Walter Scott. There is an interesting characteristic of human nature that I believe we would agree is universally supported—literally everyone...

In the spirit of manufacturers today who set forth their products anticipating potential misuse or abuse of their products, I offer my own disclaimer with this article—not for the spiritually squeamish or faint of...

What does it mean to you when you hear someone say, “It’s the eleventh hour”? For most this is a calling of attention to the state of time for some given set of circumstances...

They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32 NLT Luke’s account of Jesus’ resurrection and...

Do you long to find a deep sense of inner peace and well-being that transcends anything this material world has to offer? If so, you are not alone in this desire. After many years...

There is a question—the asking of which—has been growing in frequency over the past few years and is deserving of serious consideration. Many sincere believers are in increasing measure pondering the relevancy and legitimacy...

We closed Part 3 of this series with what I consider Jesus’ definition of “church.” For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them...

In trying to understand the true biblical meaning and significance of the church, we have been attempting to see the present structure and function of the church through the eyes of a time-traveling 1st...

Properly defining the church in a biblically, historically and theologically correct manner is critically essential to having the ability to participate in and walk out God’s eternal purpose. From Israel’s inception with the calling...

In the 1970’s there was a popular commercial for an antacid which simply posed the question, “How do you spell relief?” It was a clever commercial in that the answer being elicited had nothing...

 The dictionary defines “provoke” thusly: to anger, enrage, exasperate, or vex; to stir up, arouse, call forth or incite. What sane believer with even a modicum of self-awareness would ever consider any attitude, speech...

Num 11:29 – But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit upon them all!”  One of...

What did Jesus Mean When He Said, “Come and Follow”?  If you think there is a simple answer to this question, I am going to surmise that you have not thoroughly vetted the biblical...

Dr. F. Stoner Clark: The Man and His Message (This is a continuation of my article introducing my husband. This is the second half of his message as he has written it.) In reality,...

Dr. F. Stoner Clark, the Man and His Message: Pt 1 What a privilege it is to introduce my husband of 50 years, Dr. F. Stoner Clark, to my readership. He is also my...