Church Blog

Temptation is defined as “an enticement to sin, an invitation to disobey God’s will” (Encycpedia.com, July 14, 2025). Inherent to this definition is the understanding that one who allows himself or herself to become enticed to the point of disobedience towards God willingly distances himself or herself from good. This is the full significance of Satan being able to bring temptation into our lives. Temptation, entirely unchecked, will lead us to rebellion against God. One NT Elder stated, “But each…

What happens when the last person no longer decides to go seems to be more of an existential question than a biblical one. It has been well-deemed the essential portion in the work of the local Church (Matthew 28:18-20, NKJV). Jesus emphasized the importance of “the going” following His baptism at the Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17). The Apostles were given a similar directive to accomplish God’s will for humanity (Acts 5:42, 8:35, 15:35, 28:31). Ultimately, this joyous endeavor should have become…

While teaching and coaching in West Texas, I had the grand opportunity to meet Todd. He was a very amiable young man, full of life and vigor; always grateful, funny, and kind. Todd would greet you daily, tell you about the latest news, and often surprise you with a current interest in little-known facts. Truly amusing! At the time, I worked with the Special Needs population in Abilene Public Schools, and Todd was one of my charges for the 9th…

Have you ever wondered what makes a source reputable? According to Webster, a reputable source is “trustworthy and reliable, providing accurate, unbiased information” (Webster online, June 16, 2025). In other words, they hold no peer or superior in sourcing information. Regarding worldly instructions, trustworthy is often in the “eyes of the beholder”. Thus, it is incumbent to “fact-check” sources on a repeatable and continuous basis. This is not the case with God. He IS and will always be THE SOURCE…

Recently, a local preacher and I were holding lunch at a well-known 2-star Mexican-style restaurant. As we dined on refried beans, flour tortillas, and well-seasoned skirt steak, he cited that he loved to end each sermon with a “charge”. According to his philosophy, the charge was to challenge each member to take the well-planned sermon and its focal points into the world and disseminate them to those outside Christ. What a brilliant approach! Instantly, it reminded me of Christ and…

As a child, I became fascinated by the world of magic. Whether the disappearance of a bunny or an entire Boeing 747 vanishing into mercurial air, each event captivated every ounce of my attention from start to finish. The landscape of suggestive mental misdirection ranges from Houdini to Burton, or even Copperfield. Even when I was informed of these tricks as concealment and distraction, my regard for them never wavered. Who cares, right? I care! I love a good “sleight…

How significant is the backstory to our favorite movie, comic book, and Western novella characters? Would it be foreign to assume we can make out all the needed insight of our genre heroes if not for the prequel? Meaningful preludes enhance the core narrative by strengthening the overall comprehension of the main character. Without this VITAL information, we would often be lost on the substantial understanding of the WHY of this unique figure. If this is true for the fictitious…

How significant is the backstory to our favorite movie, comic book, and Western novella characters? Would it be foreign to assume we can make out all the needed insight of our genre heroes if not for the prequel? Meaningful preludes enhance the core narrative by strengthening the overall comprehension of the main character. Without this VITAL information, we would often be lost on the substantial understanding of the WHY of this unique figure. If this is true for the fictitious…

I want you to picture a man, not an ordinary man by any stretch of the imagination, but a man of means and prominence in his community. Now this man commands almost everything within the sphere of his influence. Nearly everything, but one. He was not the “commander in chief” of his soul. Like the rest of humanity, Matthew needed the One who called him into the service of the Lord. He needed salvation, but for him to advance, the…

Have you ever wondered what pure perseverance looks like? What does it take to pursue those things in this life that make for a better life for myself and those around me? Persistence in giving good things predicates the reception of good things. Perseverance is often defined as “doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success” (Oxford Languages, April 28, 2025). This is not easily accomplished. How many of us have developed a “knack” for immediate gratification? And, when…

There are insurmountable concerns when someone attends to their primary care physician and states, “There is a problem”. A multiplicity of fears “bubble up” towards our conscious minds, quickly assessing our mortality, vitality, and connection to this world. Regardless of the diagnosis, we are often relegated to the notion that our time and influence may be somewhat compromised. The morbidity of internal bodily issues can be daunting. Would that and should that not be our response to internal problems among…

“Part of a functional and successful workplace is ensuring that everyone fulfills the responsibilities of their role. Being on time and coming to work consistently is important regardless of your position” (Indeed Career Guide, February 2025). Isn’t it interesting how the world recognizes the significance of being present? Is it not noteworthy how we can readily explain to our children how we MUST be at work to maintain a valued reputation and a balanced income with the company who issues…