Why All This Waste ?

… And the woman broke the alabaster flask and anointed Jesus …
This event in the life of Jesus is mentioned in all four gospel accounts. Much like
a diamond can split light into different beautiful colors, each author spends time
on different perspectives to teach us what happened and what was important.
Mark, who some scholars feel is the oldest writing of the four gospels, suggests
that those who were seated at table were indignant. Matthew places this
indictment closer to home when he calls out the disciples as the ones who were
indignant. Luke…

THE PLAIN GOSPEL 
       (Ron Halbrook)

     The Missionary Baptist Church tract on “The Plain Gospel” asks, “Are you among many today who are confused as to which religion,...denomination,...church, or...preacher is right?  They cannot all be right, can they?”  The tract correctly teaches the only thing that matters is “what the Bible actually says.”  It is our sole authority in all matters relating to salvation and service to God (2 Pet. 1:3).

     The author creates confusion when he claims, “You were born into the world with a…

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Quiet Time with the Father

In a world overflowing with information, we are constantly surrounded by voices
offering advice, encouragement, and direction. Friends lend an ear, family share
their experiences, books reveal human insight, and the internet offers endless
opinions on every imaginable topic. While many of these sources can be helpful
and even wise, they are still ultimately human and limited. They may speak from
love, knowledge, or good intentions, but they don’t have the eternal perspective,
or the flawless wisdom and love of God. For those who truly seek clarity and
purpose, there is no substitute for turning to…

If Only

If only I made just a little bit more.
If only it cost just a little bit less.
If only I had just a little more time.
If only my house wasn’t quite such a mess.
I’d share with the needy. I know I’d give more!
I’d open my home with more zeal than before.
“If only. If only! If only…” I say.
“If only my life had worked out in that way.”
If only I knew those I see every day.
If only my friendships had come with rapport.
If only I knew all the…

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SHEEP THAT ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS
(Constant Coulibaly)

Years ago, when I was at the school of Journalism, we learned a writing technique that consists of grabbing the reader's attention when crafting an article. This practice is common to various areas in the field of mass communication (advertising, marketing, public relations, broadcasting, etc.).

Over the years that I have been a student of the Bible, I have learned that God employs similar techniques when speaking to His people. One way He does this is through the use of contrasts. Here is an…

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The Blind Hymn Writer
Most who read this will probably recognize these hymns:
Blessed Assurance : To God Be the Glory
He Hideth My Soul : I Am Thine, O Lord
Jesus Is Tenderly Calling : All the Way My Savior Leads Me
Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour : Praise Him! Praise Him!
Rescue the Perishing : Safe in the Arms of Jesus
Savior, More Than Life to Me : Tell Me the Story of Jesus
All of these, plus over 8000 more, were written by one woman, Fanny J. Crosby!
It is even thought that she employed nearly…

Somebody

When you’re nobody the air feels different. You move between characters in
motion, occupying the roles of our lives. You speak to them as to a wall that
echoes. But really, in life’s brevity, is your presence too momentary for people to
REALLY know you? Your practical priorities may not line up. Your visual style
could offend. The message you’re sounding is not one that is HEARD. As
christians, what etchings do we trace into our mortal design? Creation’s first
intent manifested the Most Holy will of One.
Scripture recalls God taking presence with man, “And they heard the sound…

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Who is #1?

What do we treasure most in life? Is it a person, our money, or our possessions?
Who holds the number one position in our hearts? Is it really God?
This country is so amazingly rich and filled with comfortable distractions. Our
lives are easy in comparison to many places around the world. We can get in a
car and drive wherever we want, eat what we want when we want. Do whatever
we want to do for the most part. Then again, we don’t have to go anywhere, we
can have everything delivered to our front door! Either…