You Cannot Make Yourself Great

Chalk drawing of a stick figure climbing success steps on a blackboard.

Try as we might, we cannot change our status in society. We cannot change how others view us. We cannot change if others honor us or slander us. We can only change how we respond to what God has called us. God has called us to greatness, but by His doing, not ours. BRETHREN, since…

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Inward Beauty

Shiny gold bars stacked neatly with reflections on a dark surface.

Morning routines are a part of everyone’s day. We awake with ‘just enough time’ to be ready for our day. We bathe and feed our bodies before spending time making ourselves presentable for our coworkers and friends. If we have time, we may even say our prayers. No surprise. The way we present ourselves is…

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Understanding is a Gift

Person balancing heart and brain symbols representing emotion and logic.

Try as we might to understand God, it is ultimately impossible. Jesus Christ is both God and man. The Father is the source of all things. The Son is begotten but has always existed. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father but exists everywhere and fills all things. WHAT!? At that time, a lawyer came…

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Don’t Be Afraid of Correction

Card with "Incorrect" being cut in half.

It is part of every aspect of our lives. School, work, family responsibilities, all have times when we are corrected by those who know better. If we refuse the correction, we ultimately do not progress nor succeed. So, why do we hate to be corrected in matters of our faith? IN THOSE DAYS, when Paul…

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Christ Working

Work Zone sign under blue sky.

Looking back on the past twenty years since my ordination, and more than thirty years of ministry, I am constantly reminded that everything I was blessed to ‘accomplish’ was in fact not my accomplishment. Everything I have ever done good has been the work of Christ. It is very tempting to ‘take credit’ for all…

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A Supreme and Humble God

Ornate church ceiling with religious mural.

We are reminded every day of the reality of power and influence in our society. Whether it is elected officials or wealthy investors, someone always appears to be in charge. It doesn’t matter if you call it democracy or monarchy, someone is always in charge. That someone is God. It doesn’t require more than a…

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Who is Your King?

Golden crown with red velvet interior.

Proud Americans declare to the world, “We have no king!” The idea of king in America is the idea of oppression and fear, opulent wealth and greed. Throughout history kings were known by their loyalties, not their love. Americans have a king. We just don’t like to admit it. Our king is personal. Our king…

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Christians Don’t Flaunt Freedom

Man gesturing silence with finger on lips.

There is a troubling trend in American Christianity to flaunt our freedom in front of everyone. I’m not sure what the reason is, but the desire for constant attention from ‘the opposition’ brings hatred rather than respect. If only we learned more lessons from the ancient Church. In those days, Peter went to the house…

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