The Marvelous Message

I will not belabor you with reasons why I have been unable to write regular articles and updates. Obviously, between changing jobs and changing homes, our lives have seemed to be in overdrive. I cannot believe it has been almost five months since we moved to York. People often say that the older you get, the more time flies. Well, my birthday is around the corner and I have a sneaky suspicion that they are right. I am praising the Lord that this past week I have been able to be at our new home more, so I can help unpack and organize, build needed furniture, and simply spend time with my family. I am also rejoicing over the opportunities we have had to minister to youth. Just last week, we led our first Teen Activity at the church, and this past Sunday, we were able to take our new neighbor’s kids to church. It is wonderful to hear my children invite other kids around the neighborhood to church. Pray that we will be a light in our neighborhood. We want to be a light wherever we are...

It was too late for the Israelites to retreat. The Philistines had quickly amassed a massive army that wanted only one thing: revenge over Saul's son destroying one of their garrisons in Geba. (1 Samuel 13). At the time, Saul's plan seemed to go off without a hitch. Because of the Philistines defeat in Geba, many Israelites were thrilled and appeared eager to join the cause. Saul rallied troops in Gilgal, reminding them that they had no other choice but to fight for their lives. Emotions were high. It was an exiting time indeed, until word spread over how strong, swift, and merciless the retribution of the Philistines would be. Fear cut through the Israelites passionate hearts like butter and instead of fighting with dignity, many hid in cowardice among caves and thick brush. Some even weaseled their ways into tombs and wells! King Saul remained in Gilgal with a terrified and dwindling army. He remembered that the prophet Samuel told him to wait for him for seven days and ...

It most certainly seemed surreal to Saul, when he was anointed to be king of Israel. He was just a young, common man who only stuck out because of his height. Yet, one day he's sent to look for his father's stubborn donkeys and the next he's commissioned to become Israel's first king. Just a month after he was crowned, he found himself leading an army against the Ammonites to rescue a nearly defenseless city called Jabesh-Gilead. Hardly anyone expected Saul to come to their aid, but that is just what he did. In heroic boldness, he stood up for the little guys and made their bullies flee in terror (1 Samuel 11)! After the victory, Saul humbly declared,  “...today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel!”  (Vs. 13) He knew that their triumph truly came from the mighty hand of God. Before this battle, there were many who were reluctant to claim Saul as their king, but afterwards, they proudly and publicly acknowledged him as the ruler of Israel. In time, ...

We have our spiritual programs, concerts, and conferences We have mounted our doctrines, promoted our denominations, and pushed our preferences We have booked calendars, busy lives, and countless bibles We have bumper stickers about faith, T-Shirts with scripture, and a mass marketed message of the gospel Yet, there is a steep decline in church attendance, a constant scorn for holy living, and a growing disdain for one's fellow man There is confusion over identity, carelessness over eternity, and an increase of biblical incompetence Perhaps it is because Christians have sought the favor of man above the fullness of the Spirit We have heralded our denominational differences, rather than proclaim the gospel to all who will hear it We mask our fear of complete surrender by hiding in a pew and handing over a tithe We timidly wade the surface of Christ-likeness rather than willingly take the glorious dive We must come ...

(Please know that I will continue my posts on prayer later on. I still have about 2 more studies to publish on this blog.) It takes hardly any mental effort to realize that we live in a country filled with conveniences. We have microwaves, dishwashers, credit cards, keyless entry, power windows, bluetooth, facebook, and the list goes on. I have often heard seniors say, “I don't see how we made it without all these things!” Modern advancements can be a great help to society, but when it comes to the inner being of an individual, no technological achievement or material convenience will ever suffice to restore or strengthen the soul. The great gap of the soul can only be filled up with the one who “ filleth all in all”, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:23b). Yet, t he road of true Christian living is not some large, smoothly paved interstate lined up with fun filled attractions. No. It is a narrow dirt path lined with high mountains and deep rivers. By no means do I use this imagery t...