This writer grew up on a country farm near Samnorwood, Texas back in the 40’s. We didn’t have many paved roads in those days. When it rained, we had to be very careful to keep out of ditches on both sides of the road. Often in trying to keep out of one ditch, it would […]

The following is a suggested formula for 2006: “H”old fast to the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13). “A”ssemble for worship (Hebrews 10:25). “P”ray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). “P”urify your heart (James 4:8). “Y”ield not to temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). “N”eglect not doing good (James 4:17). “E”xemplify Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). “W”ork in the vineyard (John […]

1) Wake Up! Decide to have a good day. “Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24 2) Dress Up! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. “The Lord does […]

Some people have a job in the church, others involve themselves in a ministry. What’s the difference? 1) If you are doing it just because no one else will, it’s a job. If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it’s a ministry. 2) If you quit because somebody criticized you, it was a […]

“It won’t do any good.” This is the usual response made by many of us when we are asked to invite someone to hear the gospel being preached or when we consider trying to talk to someone about religion. This is wrong! Dead wrong! It will do good! It can do no other than good […]

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs they would never get out. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up […]

The above article title was also the headline of an article from an online newspaper I recently read. A church in Houston is opening a full-service McDonald’s restaurant inside the building complete with a drive-through window. It’s expected to open in July along with the church’s NBA regulation-size basketball court, a volleyball court, full locker […]

The story is told of a small dog that was struck by a car. As it lay by the side of the road, a doctor drove by. He noticed that the dog was still alive, so he stopped his car, picked up the dog, and took him home with him. There he discovered that the […]

As any Bible student knows, the Bible not only deals in “specifics,” but in eternal principles as well. After this writer became a Christian, I realized that certain habits and practices in my life needed to be terminated. Through my study of God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15), I knew they were wrong and did not […]

In our post-modern world, “tolerance” is the one virtue that is esteemed above all others. It may soon become the only virtue our society will accept. Traditional virtues such as humility, chastity and temperance have long fallen out of public favor, and in some circles, are openly ridiculed. Acts once universally labeled “immoral” and “ungodly” […]

Emphasizing the value of human life, the Psalmist states in Psalms 49:7-9, “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice….” (ESV). James asks, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for […]

I just received this letter from Wilma Bates, widow of Bobby Bates: You may have been personally acquainted with Bobby Bates. If not, you have probably heard his name or read his writings in the area of personal evangelism. You may also have used his evangelism materials to teach the lost. Preaching and teaching the […]

Nearly two thousand years ago the Lord promised to build His church (Matthew 16:16-18). In AD 30 the church of Christ, the promised church, was established in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2). Jesus purchased this church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). The church of the first century […]

PBS recently aired a television special asking the question that most don’t want to confront, “Why is there such evil in this world?” “Why would God allow such evil to occur?” Why wouldn’t God stop such an evil event as happened on September 11th, 2001?”

Last year our missionary from Costa Rica and his wife came and visited the United States. While they were visiting, the editor of the religious section of the local newspaper wrote an article regarding their work. During the interview, the gentleman asked what would be the appropriate titles for both the missionary and me. I […]

Recently, I had the privilege of walking upon the Pea Ridge battlefield in Northern Arkansas. The battle fought here determined control of the state of Missouri, which was crucial for the Union because they planned to use the Mississippi river to split the forces of the south. The union was defending Missouri at the time […]

The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is still the same today as it was two thousand years ago. In the book of Hebrews we read, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). It is based upon this solid fact of scripture that the principles of restoration are preached. If […]

Date written: 1/25/97 Scripture ref: 2 Timothy 4:11 SUBJECT: Love TITLE: Getting Out of our Comfort Zones in Christian Kindness PROPOSITION: Christian kindness requires us to leave our comfort zones to practice 1) Charity, 2) Compassion, and 3) Courtesy. OBJECTIVES: The listener should be able to recognize scriptures discussion charity, compassion, and courtesy and state […]

Recently a wonderful lady whom I have gotten to know in my work here at Berryville posed this question to me. I appreciate this question and thought that it would be a good subject of a bulletin article as there is great misunderstanding in the religious world today regarding pastors. When we look in the […]

The Bible speaks of only one church. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “Upon this rock, I will build my church.” The first congregation of that church was established in Jerusalem in 30 A.D. Persecution came upon that congregation (Acts 8:1) and new congregations sprang up all over Palestine. After the gospel was given to the […]