The Rest of the Story

  Mark 16:1-8 Growing up I was blessed as many people were with Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story".  We enjoyed the way he put a story together to draw you in, and then when you were hooked he could reveal some great treasure, in the rest of the story. The book of Mark, …

A New View

By Duane Cragun   Have you ever done something that was just dumb? I did the other morning. I woke up in my normal morning haze and went to put on my glasses, even though I was reaching to the wrong side of the bed, I did not think about what I was doing. In …

Merry Christmas

Isaiah 9:6 (NIV) 6  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. May the fullness of Jesus bless you today, and into the new year.  May you be …

Jesus Welcomed the Outsiders

Jesus was born to show that God is open to accepting the outsiders in our world. He was born an outsider of sorts, in his time. His mother was impregnated by the Holy Spirit, and so no one in society would have seen this family as normal. In fact, we are told, in Matthew 1:18-25, …

Good News in Tough Times

Isaiah 61:1-3 This passage in Isaiah was a passage of hope to the Jewish people, who had been looking forward to hope, help, and restoration for over 700 years. Shortly after Isaiah’s time the Glory of God left the temple in Jerusalem, and the capital city fell under the rule of foreigners. Although, the temple …

Reach Out in Hope

Luke 8:42-48 Imagine being told that there is no hope for you.  In ministry I have been witness to some people who have been like the woman in this story.  They were told by many doctors that there was no hope.  Some when they are diagnosed with cancer or other diseases are given an early …

Courage in the Lord

Joshua 1:9 New Living Translation (NLT) 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” What is courage? I asked some young people recently if courage simply means that we jump into a situation with both feet? Is courage …

Using Gifts in Spiritual Mauturity

Genesis 37 Joseph, the Dreamer is growing up the favored son of his father Jacob.  Then in his youth, he begins to become gifted in dreams and interpretation.  However, this great gift of God isn't used in the best way when he first starts using it.  He tells his family, it seems boldly, about all …

Discipline & Training on the Spiritual Journey

  1 Corinthians 9:24-27 If you are like me, and many people I know then exercise and the disciple of healthy living is a bit of a battle. I start out on a diet and exercise program with every good intention. Soon it becomes drudgery, and then I find myself sitting with a bowl of …

Given Grace to Share

This time of the year, as we approach Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent many people take special time to contemplate their lives and souls.  In such contemplation, we often see that in many ways we often fall short of the holiness of God. After David was confronted by his sin he went to …