In a world that is dominated by the material, the sensual and self-gratification, an attentive Christian should ask, “How can I be more spiritual?” Unfortunately, the idea of being “spiritual” is misunderstood. To be spiritual is not some mystical idea that one has; it is not some emotional feeling that comes over a person; it is not some physiological phenomenon that sweeps…

I mentioned in Sunday’s sermon, people that believe they are righteous because of their religious family heritage are relying on the wrong blood. Following that lesson, Dirk Summerlot handed me a note with a thought which shows just how wrong this concept, which many seem to have, actually is. This problem is not new. The Jews of the first century thought they…

Elders of the Lord’s church have such a tremendous responsibility—taking heed to themselves, taking heed to the spiritual welfare of the congregation, feeding the church, tending the church, guarding the church against error and deceivers, overseeing the work of the congregation, watching for the souls of the flock, living a life worthy of imitation, being ready to give an account, etc. As…

The photo on the front of the bulletin this week of Novel Brown hanging out with Gorman Ericksen made me think of this oft-said and oft-needed advice in the church: “Be careful the company you keep!”  (Ok, that was a joke at my good friend Gorman’s expense, but it is a truth we all need!)  Think about it! The company you keep…

Several years ago, I saw this article in a church bulletin without the author’s name being given.  Over the years, the principle set forth has helped me so many times in dealing with problems.  I hope that it will help you as much as it has me.  My only regret is that I do not know who wrote it. Everybody has problems—that’s…

The wisdom of God is obvious in everything He does. One of the greatest manifestations is in the role He gives to elders as they shepherd the flock. Consider His wisdom as He gives the grave responsibility to elders to shepherd the flock, and then think about the grave responsibility that the flock has toward those God has appointed as elders. Several…

Nearly everyone has heard of “situational ethics”—the idea that there really is no standard of ethics that can be universally or uniformly applied, so each situation allows for and calls for its own standard of judgment, based upon the context of the events and not on any absolutes or universal principles.  For example, they might justify lying or cheating in one situation…

The preaching of Sam Jones in our gospel meeting has stirred our hearts and made us think soberly about how we are serving our God.  As I listened to him talk about what this world would be like if we only had the Bible as our guide, I was filled with joy and despair.  Despair, because of the tragedy of religious division…