Dear Faith Family, When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him and the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:3-4). There it was in plain view, some 239,000 miles away. Its light traveled some 1.28 seconds just to greet me. Although darkness was crawling in, I coul...

Dear Faith Family, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them, (Ephesians 2:10). On the far right it holds a place of prominence. No other clock adorns the family room above the fireplace. Why that clock? Why such attention? My wife's grandfather built that clock. It works. It works at mo...

Dear Faith Family, Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven, (Luke 10:20). Their names were etched into little individual plaques, like tiny trophies neatly tucked in behind a framed pane of glass. Maybe fifty or seventy-five of them? I didn't know a single name. Captivated, I read throug...

Dear Faith Family, She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins, (Matthew 1:21). On a hill far away stood an old Christmas treean emblem for all to seeAnd I see that old tree where the dearest and bestFor a world of lost sinners was slain Oh that old Christmas tree, so disguised by the worldHas a curious attra...

Dear Faith Family, For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes, (1 Corinthians 11:26). Pre-lit. I finally figured out what it means when a Christmas tree is pre-lit. It means that the lights that came on the tree used to be lit. This year we decided to get smart (or not) and remove the pre-lit (the ones that used to ...

Dear Faith Family, I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, (Exodus 20:1). It happened again. Technology has made convenience a necessary evil. My smart wife set up a list that shows up on both of our phones. Like, she types in "needs" (Is a five-gallon bucket of ice cream really a need? Ok. She didn't put that on the...

Dear Faith Family, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone, (Isaiah 9:2). Outside the office window a nearly daily event occurs. Sirens and lights. An emergency response vehicle weaves its way through traffic on Dutch Fork Road. It is interesting to watch drivers respond. Or not. Some ...

Dear Faith Family, Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds! (Psalm 148:9-10) That dude was doing the breaststroke! In my birdbath. The birdbath was freshly cleaned and...

Dear Faith Family, But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep, (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). The turkey gobble ringtone alerted me that someone was calling...

Dear Faith Family, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate," (Genesis 3:12). Are you aware that if you reverse the wires coming to and from a ground fault circuit interrupter receptacle it won't work. Who knew?! See, I had a bad gfi receptacle that would trip whenever I would turn on the electric smoker. Bummer right? After numero...

Dear Faith Family, First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way, (1 Timothy 2:1-2). This morning you awakened to a dream or a nightmare. Maybe you're not awake yet? Or is it possible ...

Dear Faith Family, Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might, (Ephesians 6:10). "My fellow citizens: let no one doubt that this is a difficult and dangerous effort on which we have set out. No one can foresee precisely what course it will take or what costs or casualties will be incurred. Many months in which both our patience and our will will be t...

Dear Faith Family, Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord, (Psalm 27:14). You can already taste it. The post oak wood chips are soaking. The domestic Boston Butt is swimming with the wild ham and its adjoining loin in a sea of saltwater brine. The GFI outlet that keeps tripping has been remedied. The multi-probe thermometer await...

Dear Faith Family, Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God, (Ephesians 5:1). Technology bridged the six-hundred-mile gap between us, as I talked with my son on the phone. I could hear my precious grandchildren in the background, sometimes in the foregroun...

Dear Faith Family, "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress, (Psalm 46:10-11). The pictures are overwhelming. We're still watching the videos of Helene's trail of destruction. And now we're watching Milton make its massive, malignant presence kno...

"zzzzzzzzzzz" Dear Faith Family, In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety, (Psalm 4:8). Insomnia. The practice of engaging the mind when the body is ready to disengage. The inability to stop. The uncomfortable ability to stare endlessly at the ceiling and accomplish little to nothing while lying down. An ugly picture of a s...

Dear Faith Family, Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, (1 Peter 5:8). There was a glitch in the matrix. An aberration in the landscape. Behind the birdfeeder in the backyard, I noticed an abnormality in the trunk of one of the pine trees. It warranted a second look and even a third. What in ...

Dear Faith Family, For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them, (Ephesians 2:10). By necessity I've become a bit of an organizer. An explanation? Ok. Thanks to those that my father left behind, the gifts of a generous friend, and what I've purchased, found, and collected over the years, I ...

Dear Faith Family, On those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, (1 Corinthians 12:23). I've got a front row seat to the desert in Namibia, Africa. What a great view! Directly in front of me as I write is a watering hole. And as you could guess, any number of animals, both kind and quantity, show up to wet their palate. Different ki...

Dear Faith Family, Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its placeunless you repent, (Revelation 2:5). Routine maintenance. Do those words just lift your spirit or what?! And yet, everything seems to require, (demand might be a more accurate word), rout...

Dear Faith Family, And He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, (Ephesians 4:11-13). Is i...

"Let's Do a Recount" Dear Faith Family,  I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds, (Psalm 9:1). And so it begins: "I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there's gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water wa...

Dear Faith Family,  And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience, (Romans 8:...

Dear Faith Family, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law, (Galatians 5:22-23). I'm pretty sure that the fruit of the Spirit is blueberry. You might ask "why"? Go ahead, ask. Well, earlier today, just a few minutes before lunch, a friend graced my office wi...

"Blessings on Blessings" Dear Faith Family, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:3). Wow! Just wow! Here's what I just read on a local news website: "For several years, nearly $2 billion in South Carolina taxpayer money has sat, untouched, in state accounts...

Dear Faith Family, This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful, (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). It was one of those welcome knocks at the front door. Our new refrigerator had arrived. The sticker shock was in the rear view and the shiny new appliance now gathered our...

Dear Faith Family, Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses, (Exodus 14:30-31). "Calm before the storm is probably derived from a bit of s...

Dear Faith Family, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, (Galatians 2:20). It was one of those "super spiritual" stops in my schedule last night. Apparently, the cat decided that she didn't like the food that s...

Dear Faith Family, "But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods."(Daniel 3:25). Have you seen it? I saw it, but I didn't know what I was looking at. I asked and this is what I found out. "One of the core values in Hispanic and Latino cultures is 'la familia' meaning fami...

Dear Faith Family, So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God, (1 Corinthians 10:31). A friend of mine, Daniel Weinacker, penned the following thoughts as He reflected on God's activity in His world. Thanks for sharing Daniel! BAM! Brrapp, gudonk! That was the noise my buddy informed me he heard coming from the highway a few weeks ago...

Dear Faith Family, So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God, Galatians 4:7. It was bright and sunny day, Tuesday to be exact. My wife and I enjoyed lunch as we watched the James River roll before our eyes. In an attempt to walk off the hamburgers that we had just consumed, across the bridge we did walk (a bridge not far enough)....

Dear Faith Family, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are," 1 John 3:1. How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure! That He should give His only Son, To make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss! The Father turns His face away; As wounds which marred the Chosen O...

Dear Faith Family, Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand, Isaiah 41:10. It`s a kids ride. Right? I mean my brother in law was asking his daughter, age seven, if she wanted to ride. No big deal, right? Standing in line, we couldn't really see the ride itself. ...

Dear Faith Family, I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High, (Psalm 9:1-2). He lost his wallet. Not a big deal, right? I mean, he's only a young child. It's not like he lost a driver's license or credit cards. But for this young boy, his bi...

Dear Faith Family, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid, (John 14:27). It happened over lunch. It all started with: "I've got something I want to get your opinion on." My friend said let's go now. Off to the house we did drive. In route I informed my wife that ...

"A Bigger and Better Hunt" Dear Faith Family, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal, (Matthew 6:19-20). Ever been on a bigger and better hunt? It's a group game. Divid...

"Something to Smile About" Dear Faith Family, A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed, (Proverbs 15:13). With a scoop in her right fist and a spatula in her left, she planted both firmly on the counter between us. Weapons now at ready, her contagious smile stretched clear across the counter and lit up the whole room! Simultaneous...

Dear Faith Family, The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want, (Psalm 23:1). True confession: I am a Jersey Mike's fan. A club supreme number nine on their menu. Can't you just smell the roast beef, turkey, swiss and applewood smoked bacon?! I order the regular size, not the mini. Know why? No, not just because more is better. They cut the regular in half. Half for lunch...

Dear Faith Family, I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber, (Psalm 121:1-3). Directly in front of me as my fingers type structure to my thoughts is a live feed from Decorah, Iowa. The cameras are focused on an eagle's nest hi...

Dear Faith Family, For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things, (Romans 1:21-23). "Get the boat...

Dear Faith Family, Choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin, (Hebrews 11:25). "A tickling in the nose, frequent sneezing, chills, and a runny nose, followed by a scratchy throat, fatigue, a light headache and lots of thick mucus," (Isabel Atzl  Roland Helms in their book A Short History of the Common Cold)....

Dear Faith Family, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope, (Romans 15:13). The Passion Week of Jesus awakens a new level of sobriety. Have you traveled the road through Jerusalem? From The Triumphal Entry to Golgotha? Have you stopped at each overlook? Can you hear Him? Do you see H...

Dear Faith Family, The joy of the Lord is your strength, (Nehemiah 8:10). In three days, a bunch (academic word meaning many) of people will gather to celebrate the life of a dear friend of more than twenty years. The last two years of her life were marred with the effects of a dastardly disease. Although the physical decline was difficult to watch, the joy that surround...

Dear Faith Family, The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion", says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him," (Lamentations 3:22-24). I'm standing in an auditorium full of pastors and wives at The Cove in Ashville, NC. A strange lump has found its way into ...

Dear Faith Family, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting. The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Many moons ago in a land far, far away (Ok. It was Blythewood). We were the underdogs. It was ...

Dear Faith Family, Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord, (Deuteronomy 8:3). Words mean things. Right? Our contemporary culture seems less likely to believe that statement and maybe less likely to care whether it is true or not. I'm not even sure that we have the capacity to understand the ramifications of no ...

Dear Faith Family, I will never leave you nor forsake you, (Hebrews 13:5). As the sun began to tuck itself into the mountain before us, its light increasingly dissipated from the mountains behind. At 5826 feet above sea level, Round Bald (Roan Mountain, TN.) accommodated our bleachers' seats. Looking back toward Sugar Mountain, the shadows had already begun to envelope i...

Dear Faith Family, We love because He first loved us, (1 John 4:19). Love is a reaction. There, I said it. But I do not think that means what you think it means! Let me explain. We are often reactionary people, right? The alarm clock (or phone) goes off and we react. You know with, "Wow, it's another great day to be alive!" or with, "Where am I?" or maybe our hand reacts...

"Who Are You?" Dear Faith Family, Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age, (Matthew 28:19-20). "You is kind. You is smart. You is important." Kathryn Stockett penned those ...

Dear Faith Family, Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told, (Habakkuk 1:5). "Hey Karl give me a call if you have time." Those words were posted on my Facebook feed followed by a telephone number. What shall I do? I know what you might be thinking. Don't do it! It's a scam! Hold on. Ca...

Dear Faith Family, Seek the Lord while He may be found for My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts, (Isaiah 55:6, 8-9). God so doesn't operate according to my rules of operation manual or even according to my c...

Dear Faith Family, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me, (Galatians 2:20). Have you ever looked at a picture of an object up close, unable to identify what it is that you're looking at? Maybe your eyes focus on...

Dear Faith Family, But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15). "There are moments in my life when I lose my gospel mind. There are moments when I live as if God does not exist, the Bible had never been writt...

Dear Faith Family, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God, (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). A long-time friend, mentor, servant, and brother-in-Christ d...

Dear Faith Family, But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint, (Isaiah 40:31). They just crossed into the state of South Carolina. We've been waiting for what seems forever to see our son, his wife, and our grandchildren. Waiting. Now there's a conce...

"In His Presence" Dear Faith Family, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, (John 1:14). I remember whenwhen my parents rented a cabin on Lake Murray at the State Park for Christmaswhen our families were all together under one roof. When it was cold outside...when we drove down from Ridgeway with a truck load of firewood, dad's Christmas present...when the power ...

Dear Faith Family, Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, (2 Timothy 2:8). Tossing and turningthroughout the night.Quality of sleep,nowhere in sight.Morning now dawnedawakened by light.My mind engagedwith words did write.Wisdom you ask,what words so bright?"I didn't sleep worth a hootenanny!"I know, right?! Well, one t...

Dear Faith Family, For nothing will be impossible with God, (Luke 1:37). Remember the "Cash for Clunkers" program? It was a United States government economic stimulus program that provided financial incentives to car owners to trade in their old, less fuel-efficient vehicles and buy more fuel-efficient vehicles, (investopedia.com). We had three teenagers living in our h...

Dear Faith Family, Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! (1 Chronicles 16:11). Twelve feet of trash bags. Twenty tons of trash. Two hours of searching. Sanitation workers in New Hampshire this week received their third call in two years. And the search began! Any volunteers? According to UPI, a lady's wedding ring was accidentally thrown in the t...

Dear Faith Family, Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 5:20). So, there's that. The GPS mapped out the directions to the rehab center. A friend, brother, and fellow elder is currently recuperating there. Apparently, the GPS is on a first name basis with the rehab center for it mapped out directions to...

Dear Faith Family, And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law, (Nehemiah 8:3). Goldberry, Lorelai, Leeli, and Rosie Cotton. Chickens. All four chickens I tell ya. No really. They'r...

Dear Faith Family, But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one, (2 Thessalonians 3:3). It was a leisurely hike through the woods from the Shepherd's Inn to the Chapel at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Ashville, NC. We had some free time on Tuesday afternoon between Albert Mohler's messages. So, we hiked our way down...

Dear Faith Family, And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise Him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, "Give thanks to the Lord, for His steadfast love endures forever, (2 Chronicles 20:21). Travel west on I26 from Columbia and somewhere near the Saluda Grade, mountains will begin to magical...

Dear Faith Family, Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil, (Ephesians 5:15-16). A friend of a friend of mine told his friend, my friend, and my friend told me what his friend told him, my friend. (Might have to read that again, I did!) Alright already! What was it that you were told?! Well,...

Dear Faith Family, For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were w...

Dear Faith Family, And after saying this He said to him (Peter), Follow Me, (John 21:19). This is getting too easy. The light turns green. The car in front of you just sits there. Or the driver next to you disregards the lines that define his lane. Apparently, he isn't bothered by those white, or yellow for that matter, lines meticulously painted on the asphalt beneath h...

Dear Faith Family, For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us, (Psalm 103:11-12). "Guess what day it is!" Hump day is happy day. It's trash day. You know, roll out the cans full of unwanted garbage. And return home in the ev...

Dear Faith Family, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me," (Psalm 23:4). It was one of those memorable hunts. Chasing "thunder chickens" (aka wild turkeys) through the woods. After a successful hunt, the woods came alive with new unfamiliar features. You know, sudde...

Dear Faith Family, Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'," (Mark 12:29-30). Horrifically amazed! The video recorded a coyote running toward a small dog in the front yard. Then there was t...

Dear Faith Family, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," (Hebrews 12:1). Seated, once again, in a doctor's waiting room. I listen as yet another patient is called (ahead of me) by name. Like a sheep to the...

"Grace Still Wins!" Dear Faith Family, He said to his brothers, "My money has been put back; here it is in the mouth of my sack!" At this their hearts failed them, and they turned trembling to one another, saying, "What is this that God has done to us," (Genesis 42:28). "Did it bother anybody else that the guy from the operation game was clearly wide awake?" Found that ...

Dear Faith Family, Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? (Mark 8:18). "I was driving to work, which was about 15-20 minutes away when I realized that I forgot my keys. Even though I was halfway there and I was going to be late, I went ahead and turned around. When I got back home and looked for my keys, I was frustrated tha...

Dear Faith Family, His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, (2 Peter 1:3). Scene one, Luke 5. Peter had been fishing all night. The scoreboard read: Fish one. Seasoned angler, Peter nothing, zero, nada. You get the picture! Jesus told Peter to let down t...

Dear Faith Family, But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death, (James 1:14-15). The squirrel-proof bird feeder is no longer squirrel-proof. See, the little varmints locked their hind feet onto the pole supporting the used-to-be squirrel-...

Dear Faith Family, Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony, (Co...

Dear Faith Family, Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.", (Genesis 40:14-15). Have you been here? Here? Where is here? Here is at the doctor's office...

Dear Faith Family, And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.", (Matthew 28:18-20)....

Dear Faith Family, So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion, (Luke 10:32-33). It's been years ago now. Traffic thick as thieves impatiently making a beeline for the highway out of downtown on Huger (That's pronounced "u.g." Who w...

Dear Faith Family, So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them, (Genesis 1:27). What stands nearly three feet tall on four "feet" and weighs in at close to ninety pounds? Yesterday was the celebration of our freedom as a country. Our family enjoyed some good ol' southern pulled pork, (no, it wasn't a three foo...

Dear Faith Family, Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he, (Proverbs 29:18). It's a mystery. Stealing? In a place of worship?! One minute it was present and accounted for. The next minute missing in action. Did it simply find a hidden resting place? Did it slip itself into someone else's book bag? Or, did someone strategical...

Dear Faith Family, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, (Ephesians 1:3). Well, this happened. Last week the General Assembly convened in Memphis, Tennessee. The hotel that held our reservations overbooked by just a few too many rooms (I was told some 300 rooms overbooked...

Dear Faith Family, But encourage one another every day, as long as it is still called "today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin., (Hebrews 3:13). Bonanza, Laugh-In, and Mission Impossible all ended their TV runs. The Miami Dolphins were the Super Bowl champs. General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler laid off 100,000 workers. The U.S. S...

Dear Faith Family, Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth, (John 17:17). It's called nitrogen narcosis. Otherwise known as narks, rapture of the deep, the martini effect, or inert gas narcosis, (healthline.com). Apparently, divers can get "drunk" or disoriented when diving. It happens when divers reach depths producing added pressure to the gases in their tanks. ...

Dear Faith Family, You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin, (1 John 3:5). The picture? The entrance to the stadium at Olympia in Greece. The stones? "Statues of Zeus were erected on these bases, paid for by fines imposed on those who were found to be cheating at the Olympic Games. The names of the athletes were inscribed on the ba...

"All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you," (1 Peter 1:24-25). There it stood! The remains at least. A not so fortified city on a hill. The Acropolis. Athens rests below. Magpies invade. Free to fly behind ...

Dear Faith Family, Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Matthew 11:28. He was standing outside of the elevator door in the lobby of a hotel. Waiting. Next to him rested his luggage. Waiting. He surprised me with a question: "how are you?" I returned the kindness: "how are you?" Looking down he answered almost in a sigh: "I'm slap wore...

Dear Faith Family, Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, (Ephesians 6:13-14). I was minding my own business (well, kind of). It looked hand painted, a work of art. See, I was walking on the patio outside the Fellowship Hall of our church family's facility. It's wh...

Dear Faith Family, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, (1 Peter 1:1). The Maundy Thursday love feast and communion service had reached its finale. The crowd was gone. The parking lot was abandoned but for a couple of vehicles. The Fellowship Hall was empty. Back in the office I heard a knock on the window la...

Dear Faith Family, He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds, (Psalm 147:3). It took a few minutes for the pieces of the live picture to come together in my head. On the right shoulder of I26 was a white service truck. Next to the truck stood, assumingly, the driver of that truck. Directly across three lanes of traffic up against the concrete median sat what a...

Dear Faith Family, Remember therefore from where you have fallen, (Revelation 2:5). You guys ever forget? You know, an appointment? Your keys? Your umbrella? Where you parked your car? How about an anniversary? What's that about? Like do we just get distracted? Does something else become more important (tyranny of the urgent)? A couple of weeks ago it was off to the woo...

Dear Faith Family, And He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart, (Luke 18:18). It was once upon a Christmastime. My sweet wife was busy turning ribbons into bows. See, a friend of hers had a poinsettias farm. And Cyndi was hired to make bows for the poinsettias. It looked easy enough. You're with me, right? Opportunity made i...

Dear Faith Family, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest, (Psalm 22:1-2). For the exhausted parents of toddlers at the end of the day, maybe. For the introvert, maybe. For the neighbor of a yappy dog, maybe. For the chef wh...

Dear Faith Family, What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?, (Romans 9:22-24). M...

Dear Faith Family, 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him," (Lamentations 3:22-24). "Try a brief experiment: Using a compass, draw a circle. Take one piece of string and place it on top of the...

Dear Faith Family, Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing, (James 1:2-4). Once upon a time Frank (you know, the guy who owns the car wash) and let's say, Dr. Quinn (cause sh...

Dear Faith Family, Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, (Psalm 37:7). Ahh, Cape Cod. The wooden steps welcomed my tired feet. A left at the top of the attic staircase dead ended in a small bedroom with a window facing the ocean. A rhythmic, rolling rumble came to a crescendo as one wave after another gently crashed onto the beach. A thunderstorm quietly announce...

Dear Faith Family, So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom, (Psalm 90:12). Heard about it. Read about it. But still wasn't ready for the painful heartache that the flowers released. It was just another Monday. A restaurant near the gas pumps seemed a wise choice for my desperately thirsty truck. Never mind that just six days earlier the very same...

Dear Faith Family, For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord, (Ephesians 5:8-11). My Valentine adorns the rocking chair next to mine as we enjoy the view from the humble cabin perched on the si...

Dear Faith Family, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 4:6-7). True confession: I'm a caramel macchiato junkie. Coffee without caramel macchiato cr...

"Rain Check" Dear Faith Family, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast, (Ephesians 2:8-9). Ribeye Roast on sale for $5.97 a pound? Yes please! Unfortunately, the local grocery store was sold out. No problem. Rain check, please. I've had the rain check now for ...

Dear Faith Family, For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God, You, however, (Romans 8:7-9a). Chuck asked for my help. He acquired a tow bar to connect to the back of his car. Seems that a friend of his was having car problems. Out of the goodness of his hea...

Dear Faith Family, For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, (Romans 6:23). Introduced a little over twenty years ago in the late nineties, you can find them just about anywhere in buildings, houses, automobiles, purses, and pockets. Otherwise known as "Instant Paper Cut Finders", hand sanitizer is a common commodi...

Dear Faith Family, In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one, (Ephesians 6:16). Can you hear that? They're right outside of my office window. There's a blower on wheels and another backpack blower. There are trucks. Several workers. What's going on? Well, they're blowing the debris off the parkin...

Dear Faith Family, Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour, (Matthew 25:13). There it is! The phone yielded a message: "Tornado Watch". Conditions are favorable for a potential tornado. (I confess that I'm not comfortable using the word "favorable" in the same sentence as the word "tornado"!) As I look out of my office window, daytime has given way to ...

Dear Faith Family, Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt, (Exodus 3:10). So, I'm a slow learner. I get it. May I make a suggestion? If they put pictures of tools that you might need on a box containing a potential Christmas present, don't buy it! My sweet wife has tolerated a light fixture in the master bathr...

Dear Faith Family, Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," (Hebrews 12:1). Great idea! Every backyard fire pit ought to be surrounded by Adirondack chairs. And Adirondack chairs ought to be supported by a layer of riv...

Dear Faith Family, In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered," (Luke 2:1). It was years ago. My son had a vehicle that whined. That's right, whined. So, like any other "fix it" dad, I decided to google it. I was on a mission. Assuming it was the serpentine belt, I searched for a video about changing the belt on that vehi...

Dear Faith Family, And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but He was asleep. And they went and woke Him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing," (Matthew 8:24-25). So, a friend of mine was minding his own business as he hustled down the interstate recently. That is until he encountered smoke and brake lights ...

Dear Faith Family, 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to...

Dear Faith Family, Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His Name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!, (1 Chronicles 16:8). Go ahead. Read the rest of David's psalm in 1 Chronicles 16:8-36. The very presence of God in His tabernacle was the occasion for his thanksgiving. Presence. What a great concept! One we may often take for granted. On Friday morning my wife a...

Dear Faith Family, Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, (Ephesians 2:12). Wait a second! I was working on the playground in our backyard, installing the most incredible sliding board known to man. Well, probably not. But ...

Dear Faith Family, Love is patient, (1 Corinthians 13:4). It happened again. I went. I found. I conquered. Where, you might ask? Why Walmart of course. I know, you can order online and they'll deliver your "stuff" like right to your doorstep. Or someone else can shop for you and you can pick your "stuff" up in the parking lot. You don't even have to go into the store! B...

Dear Faith Family, Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things! His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvat...

Dear Faith Family, For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known, (1 Corinthians 13:12). He weighed in at approximately 23 tons and measured some 50 feet in length. In comparison, she was an average 63-year-old marine biologist. On an otherwise late summer, routine dive with a pod of ...

Dear Faith Family, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress, (Psalm 46:1, 11). It started out with a bang. Literally. When I arrived at a comfortable spot on the elm tree above the grown-up cutover, I could see down to the little opening at the edge of the woods. And what to my wanderin...

Dear Faith Family, But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons, (Galatians 4:4-5). My wife with her buggy all loaded with care,And me with no purpose but just to be there. When what to my wandering eyes did appear?A give away drawing...

Dear Faith Family, But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, (1 Corinthians 12:24). They exist in over twenty different varieties. By 2025 it is predicted that the global industry will be worth some 15,900 million dollars. You can trace their history back to the 17th century in Turkey (I know, John wrote about them). They even hav...

Dear Faith Family, For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord, (1 Thessalonian...

Dear Faith Family, Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told, (Habakkuk 1:5). Undoubtedly, you've been assaulted by "The Signs"! They're orange. Strike one. They bear tidings of bad news. Strike two. They read something akin to "Road Construction Ahead". Strike three. Just over a mile ...

Dear Faith Family, Therefore encourage one another with these words, (1 Thessalonians 4:18). The phone rang. From overseas, the voice on the other end carried with it a slight tone of urgency. As a summer missionary, she had been asked to teach a Bible Study. Her question? How do I do that? She wasn't quite sure what to say. Ever been there? Maybe someone asked you to sp...

Dear Faith Family, Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens! Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!, (Psalm 150:1-2). What a delight! Our entire family (all our kids and grandkids enveloped our home over the Labor Day weekend)! One afternoon we gathered at the neighborhood pool. It was rathe...

Dear Faith Family, How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?, (Psalm 13:1-2). It's here! August 15 did arrive! I know you're excited, right?! At this point you are wondering: "what's the significance of...

"Something to Thank About" Dear Faith Family, I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, (1 Corinthians 1:4). I confess, there are a few things in this world for which I am not thankful: mosquitos, fire ants, and pine beetles (especially when they inhabit pine trees in my yard!) to name a few. That being said, ...

Dear Faith Family, And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith, (Galatians 6:9-10). Who knew?! You can actually move a ton of sand with a shovel! I know what you're thinking. "That's a bad idea." Or "the...

"Ignorance Ain't So Bliss" Dear Faith Family, As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, (1 Peter 1:14). With your finger, scroll up from the bottom of the screen on an apple watch. Up pops any number of icons. Like how much battery life is left, flashlight, airplane mode. And there in the midst is a phone icon with radiating par...

Dear Faith Family, And David said, "The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the Lord be with you!", (1 Samuel 17:37). A voice was heard bellowing out from the back of the plane as it began its ascent toward the clouds above. Liftoff! The roar of the...

Dear Faith Family, Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him," (Genesis 2:18). How fascinating! That was the first time in the creation of the world that our God said that something was not good. Light? Good. Land and seas? Good. Vegetation? Good. Sun and moon? Good. Creatures? Good. Beasts? Good. Everythin...

Dear Faith Family, And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You, (Psalm 39:7). I think I was up to seven different establishments. That is, if you can call a 12'X12' block building with a sign an establishment. Some of the signs were different colors with a different name but they were all "bancas". And each name company had multiple bancas. There were more ban...

Dear Faith Family, But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here", (Acts 16:28). He couldn't have been over 6'8" tall. His frame did consume all of his seat and forced him to annex part of my seat! I don't know his name. He was just the dude in seat 16A on flight # flying from Miami, FL to the Dominican Republic. I initiated a conversation...

Dear Faith Family, As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him, (2 Kings 5:16). I remember reading a book with my children when they were little about a greedy goat. The goat just wouldn't stop eating. He saw. He wanted. He ate. He got sick! That sounds familiar. Gehazi saw. He wanted. He took. He got sick! Go ahead. Read the story. 2 Kings 5. Wha...

"Guard Your Heart" Dear Faith Family, Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life, (Proverbs 4:23). I just read a story about an unexpected light show on a New Jersey highway, (upi.com). Seems that a truck caught fire on Monday and its contents lit up! It's contents? Fireworks! A little heat, a little fire and it didn't take long for the dri...

Dear Faith Family, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (Romans 3:23-24). Off to the mountains we did go. It was all planned. Fifteen of us all under one roof! From pool to pond and even Walmart we did go. What a delight to enjoy grandparents, parents, children, a...

Dear Faith Family, And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.", (Luke 5:10). First vacation morning on the bass pond. Check. First fish hooked. Check. Big fish hooked. Check. It's going to be a good week. Check. Some time to reflect on Jesus' encounter with Peter in Luke five. Check. I confess, I was once again enamored with the li...

Dear Faith Family, Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, (1 Peter 5:6). Meredith had her own ideas perched in her "clip on" chair on the side of the kitchen table. She had just set her cup down near the edge of the table after a drink. Her mother proceeded to move her cup from the edge of the table to a sa...

Dear Faith Family, Remember Your mercy, O Lord, and Your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! (Psalm 25:6-7). The first Theodore Roosevelt was concerned about the health of his children and wanted them to get as much ...

Dear Faith Family, We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3). Steadfastness. Hope. Wow, those two words appeared to have a fallin' out this week! This week a condemning report w...

Dear Faith Family, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God, (Exodus 20:8-10a). It has pre-hardened, rust resistant hardened steel blades that stay sharp longer. It is lightweight and compact making it easy to use with less fatigue. It has a powerful motor to tackle yo...

Dear Faith Family, But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, (Matthew 6:20-21). 1 So off to lunch with a friend. The distance between Ballentine and Chapin was littered with storage facilities. Got me to thinking. I think I sho...

Dear Faith Family, We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, (Colossians 1:3-4). There it was in black and white (ok, the attached picture was in color). It was a post on Facebook from "Meanwhile in Ukraine": "I left the bomb shelter and s...

Dear Faith Family, For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building, (1 Corinthians 3:9). It was insensitive, inconsiderate, unimaginable, unthinkable, dare I say it, inconctheivable! I mean my "back forty" is a work of art. For years I've worked the soil adding compost, tilling, watering, and weeding. The 8'X12' garden plot in my backyard is fraught ...

Dear Faith Family, Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving, Colossians 2:6-7. All it takes is a pole, a ball, and something to connect the ball to the pole. Tetherball here we come! The rallying point for fierce competitors becomes the pol...

Dear Faith Family, Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table, Matthew 26:6. As newlyweds, my wife and I enjoyed life in a small town. We would travel to "the city" to pick up groceries, etc. On one trip, I noticed someone...

Dear Faith Family, I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth, (John 1...

Dear Faith Family, Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand, (Isaiah 41:10). I didn't know what it was. I didn't know what the outcome would be. I didn't know the purpose of the encounter. I didn't even know who it was. Sound familiar? Fear is an unpredictable p...

Dear Faith Family, Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, (1 Peter 5:8). Sooooo, yesterday was opening day of turkey season. But you already knew that, right? And you also knew that I would talk about turkeys in today's blog, right? A few squawks on the turkey call as I paused on the road in th...

Dear Faith Family, "Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites ...

Dear Faith Family, For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse, (Romans 1:19-20). A couple of friends were minding their own busi...

Dear Faith Family, Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near, (Isaiah 55:6). Anybody else enjoy a good "wordsearch" puzzle? Do you pick the first letter of a word and search through the puzzle for that one letter in an attempt to find the word you're looking for? Or, do you look for two letters combined? Like two of the letter "o" next to each o...

Dear Faith Family, The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keeping loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling, (1 Peter 4:7-9). The sign on his stall read, "Tank". He was smaller than the other horses in the barn. An...

Dear Faith Family, Sing to the Lord a new song, And His praise from the ends of the earth, You who go down to the see, and all that is in it, You coastlands and you inhabitants of them! Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, The villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing, Let the shout from the top of the mountains, Let them...

Dear Faith Family, In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, Ephesians 1:11. Renowned Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla created the first "teleautomaton". Most, if not all of you reading this article have at least one of them in your home today. Tesla unv...

Dear Faith Family, You are thelight of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all thehouse. In the same way, let your light shine beforeothers, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven,(Matthew 5:14-16). My sweet wife gavesixte...

Dear Faith Family, Do all things without grumbling or disputing,(Philippians 2:14). Married to Maw, Paw Ruggshad a complete family of four. Daughter: Floral. Son: Shag. Their livesmet withcontinuous adversity. Ifthey "wasn't" "feudin" with the Hoppers next door, they were at war with an indigenous woodpeckeroran antagonistic catfish or an escape chimpanzee ora hungry gop...

Dear Faith Family, But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope,(1 Thessalonians 4:13). Should I cut the red wire or the yellow wire? Or maybe the blue wire?We've all watched with elevated blood pressure as ourfavorite charactercompetes with the clock todiffuse a bomb before it explod...

Dear Faith Family, Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time,(Jonah 3:1). Preparation. Decoration.Vacation.Congregation.Movies or football?"That's easy" you say. Problem is that some of you whoansweredthat question very quickly are married to an individual who alsoanswered very quickly, "That's easy." Problem is that theychosefootball,and you chose movies. ...

Dear Faith Family, See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; andsowe are,(1 John 3:1). "It's getting later and later in the day!" Those words have been repeated over the years asmy wife's family anticipated being together for vacation. Translated: we will soon betogether.And,here we are in the midst of family enjoying the...

"Isn't There Anyone Who Knows?" Dear Faith Family, And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,(Luke2:8, 11). It wasapivotal moment in the movie. It wasapivotal moment in the history of movies. In fact, it wasapivotal moment inal...

Dear Faith Family, A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God,(Isaiah 40:3). The stockings were all hung by the chimney with care,The paint on the trim work is new everywhere.The hardwoods are sweptquitebeyond compare.The carpet is vacuumedandcompletely bare. The nativity scene can be seenallout there...

"Pass It On" Dear Faith Family, And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnessesentrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also,(2 Timothy 2:2). The rain and the cold onlyreflected thecharacterof the cemetery that day. Colonel Sidney Crumpton almost didn't make theover two-hour trip. He was helping to officiate the funeral. Colonel Crumpto...

Dear Faith Family, In thisis love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins,(1 John 4:10). You stop by the grocery store on your way home from the office.Waiting in line in front of you is a man with the biggest bunch of flowers that you've ever seen.In his other hand in a Hallmark card with a pink envelope.You ...

"Happy Thanks Giving" Dear Faith Family, And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful,Colossians 3:15. Stable, attractive flooring? No problem. Secure sink on stable floor carefully bracketed to the wall? No problem.New faucettightly attached to the sink? No problem.Running water? No problem. Fully attache...

Dear Faith Family, Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert,(Isaiah 43:19). It wasa couple of months ago (insert picture of tongue incheekhere)and I was back at the optometrist's officeto follow up on my "faulty" contacts. Problem: since my new contacts wereinstalled,I was n...

"Left Rear Tire" Dear Faith Family, As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us,(Psalm 103:12). It all started with the TPMS. What's that, you might ask? The Tire Pressure Monitoring System.Apparently,I can search throughthedashboard settingson my truckandsee the exact air pressure in each of my four tires. Useful information wh...

"GoodTalk" Dear Faith Family, Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear,(Ephesians 4:29). There it is staring at you comfortably resting in the fruit bowl on the kitchen counter. It knows your name.You find yourselfhungry for a peach. Gazing into the bowl you p...

Dear Faith Family, The steadfast loveof the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness,(Lamentations 3:22-23). Where were you exactly one year ago today?Do you remember? One yearagotoday beganin the office. Classical students dotted the landscape ofthe Faith facility.It was the day after staff meeting. Anot...

Dear Faith Family, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was notany thingmade that was made,(John 1:1-3). They'reeverywhere.I'llcall them God's"fingerprints",His creation.His creation isjust that, His creation. So,I wasstanding outside of a local...

"But If Not" Dear Faith Family, If this be so, our God whom we serveis able todeliver us from the burningfiery furnace, and He will deliver us outof your hand, O King. But if not,be it known to you, O King, that we will not serveyour godsor worship the golden image that you have set up,(Daniel 3:17-18). "My momma always said,'life was like a box of chocolates. You never...

Dear Faith Family, Search me, O God, and know my heart!Try me and know my thoughts!And see if there be any grievous way inme, andlead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24) Who knew that dentists have 2,357different drill bits? For teeth! Can you guess where I was yesterday afternoon? For nearlytwo and a half hours I enjoyedthe luxury recliner in one of my dentist...

Dear Faith Family, And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, "Arise and eat, for the journeyis too great for you. And he arose and ate anddrank, andwent in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God,(1 Kings 19:7-8). We may be familiar withElijah and the widow of Zarephath, orthe Elijah and the wido...

"I Surrender Some" Dear Faith Family, Submit yourselves therefore to God,(James 4:7a). He studied and taught music. Hemastered 13 different instruments. Hesang and composed music. He was very involved in the music ministry of his church.And,heeventually found himself waveringbetween the challenge of going intofull timeministry and that of becoming a recognized artist. T...

"Once Upon a Time" Dear Faith Family, And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, "There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor." One of my favorite sermons in all the Bible is found in the book of 2 Samuel. The sermon immediately involved just two people,Nathanand David. Nathan preached the narrative sermon. David listene...

Dear Faith Family, Come tome, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls,(Matthew 11:28-29). We've all done it. We've all lookedfor something that we just couldn't find, right? Like standing in front of the refrigerator, door open, looking...

Dear Faith Family, You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows,(Psalm 23:5). It's that time of year again. I know. I know. "It's too hot!" But, deer season isback. And, up in the stand I did climb. Keep in mind that it was notyetfully light. Around the stand was acamouflage wrap that was folded on itself over...

Dear Faith Family, While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off,(Acts 13:2-3). Mark and Sheila Shelby have served the Faith Family and this community well for over 20 years! On staff, Mark ...

"Taking Him at His Word" Dear Faith Family, And now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are true, and You havepromised this good thing to Your servant,2 Samuel 7:28. The Cambridgedictionary defines the word "reservation" as"an arrangementin which something such as a seat on an aircraft or a table at a restaurant is kept for you." Recently a fri...

Dear Faith Family, And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him,Matthew20:34. "I'll just follow you." Famous last words! Been there?A friend quickly runs through the73 turns necessary to get the two of you where you're going. Like,"turn left just after theblue pickup truck that sits at the end of the driveway. Then loo...

Dear Faith Family, Then Job arose and toe his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. There are at least twoplacesin the Bible whenthe word"worship"strikes me as out of place. You know, like when you discover an...

Dear Faith Family, But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death,James 1:14-15. Tucked in the valley between tworises in the terrainis a little taste of heaven. A three acrelake. A solace of still water. Nestledneatly in a pasture reflectin...

Dear Faith Family, Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!(Psalm 139:23-24) Well, it's that time of year. The "bug man" just came and performed our termite inspection. What was he looking for? No, not money! He was looking for any termite activity. And he was looking...

"Choosing to Bloom" Dear Faith Family, I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all therest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are muchmore boldto speak the wor...

Dear Faith Family, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect,(Romans ...

Dear Faith Family, Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days, (Psalm 90:14). He once described himself as, a "poetico-trampo-geologist-botanist and ornithologist-naturalist etc. etc.!!!!" John Muir remains one of California's most important historical personalities and is generally still known today as one of the fat...

Dear Faith Family, When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, He asked them, "What are you looking for?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?" (John 1:38) Questions. It was July, 2002. While candidating for the call as pastor at Faith Church, we met with the youth group. There the students were invited to ask questions. Three ...

Dear Faith Family, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, Matthew 6:19-21. Our young family was enjoying a day...

Dear Faith Family, 11Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens ...

Dear Faith Family, Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward, Psalm 127:3. Twenty-nine years ago today our precious Jesse weighed in at 9 pounds 8.5 ounces! We were ecstatic! As we gathered around our son we sang "Great Is Thy Faithfulness". God had blessed us with a healthy baby boy! Can I share with you a little side story? My broth...

Dear Faith Family, For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians, Acts 11:26. A shout out to my kindred spirit friend! Let me explain. You may be aware of my propensity to stop on the side of the road to pick up a bungy cord, or two, or ten. What you may not be aware of is my propensity...

Dear Faith Family, So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created Him; male and female He created them, Genesis 1:27. What do Tannerite and gender reveal parties have in common?! Apparently, a couple in New Hampshire rocked the house, literally, at a gender reveal party. CBS Boston reported that a couple detonated about 80 pounds of Tannerite! Yikes!...

Dear Faith Family, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths, Proverbs 3:5-6. There is a major difference between lukewarm, day-old, Dr. Pepper and ice-cold, freshly poured Mellow Yellow. Who knew?! Let me explain. Let's say hypothetically, you eat lunch at Arby...

Dear Faith Family, But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator, (Colossians 3:8-10). Recently a friend of mine gave a desk to me. A...

Dear Faith Family, But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:20-21) There he was perched on an oak limb just above the deck in our back yard. I heard that they had been seen in th...

Dear Faith Family, For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body Jews or Greeks, slaves or free and all were made to drink of one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) One of these things is not like the othersOne of these things just do...

Dear Faith Family, Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! (Psalm 37:7) Anybody else struggle with patience? Like when a 2-hour trip takes 4 hours? Like when you were ready early and the rest of the family, let's just say, not so much? Like when the commercials...

Dear Faith Family, When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate, Genesis 3:6. Microwaves were the latest and greatest. So like any wise husband-to-be, I purchased one for my wife-to-be. Incl...

Dear Faith Family, I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) So, it's on an inlet in the Meadowland of Scull Bay in Linwood, New Jersey. East Seaview Avenue dead ends onto Seaview Dock. Well, for most people, it dead ends. But for three young brothers and their...

Dear Faith Family, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1) She said it again! "I need one of those." In front of her on the shelf at the grocery store is an organic, "healthy", chocolate bar. That's when I responded like a sophomore (a wise fool): "Need?" An innocent question, right? That's when I begin my descent in to trouble. I tell her: "You keep usin...

Dear Faith Family, He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. (John 21:6) I didn't see that coming! Have you ever made such a pronouncement? Some years ago, I discovered a cocoon in the shrubbery surrounding our home. Intrigued, I harve...

Dear Faith Family Friends, And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. (Matthew 8:26). Have you ever disregarded what you know to be true and lived to regret it? (At this point you may be experiencing the internal conflict of do I dare continue reading? This isn't going to end well. Or, I ca...

Dear Faith Family, And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59-60). Bong, beng, bing, bongoh sorry, I was just rehearsing the sound of Cyndi's Christmas present. She wanted chimes. ...

Dear Faith Family, For I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. (Jonah 4:2b). It happened twice in one week. On two separate occasions I watched helplessly as two different drivers recklessly disregarded the law and piloted their cars dangerously right in front of my eyes! Where's a polic...

Dear Faith Family, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13). Sometime in December we fired up the gas grill and commenced to cooking. Before the steaks or chicken were done, the grill ceased its flame. No more gas! I hate when that happens. In the heat of the moment (s...

Dear Faith Family, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me, and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24). What a humbling ordeal. Rewind. On November 3rd I discovered my Covid parting gift. I was fifteen days into feeling all "covidish" (translated "whipped") when my I told my doctor about w...

Dear Faith Family, "I am the LORDyour God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." (Exodus 20:2). Who reads that stuff?! I had been asleep for hours. I was awakened to the tears of my young wife. Cyndi and I were newlyweds. She was reading Julie by Catherine Marshall. Now that I was awake, she explained how "good" the book was. How good co...

Dear Faith Family,And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth, (Luke 2:6).Tomorrow is Christmas! Wait, tomorrow?! Tomorrow we celebrate the birth of Jesus? Are you sure that it is tomorrow? Anybody else feeling not like it's Christmas?I'm thinking that the shepherds in Luke 2 were feeling not like it was Christmas. Was it just another night? Sheep still ...

Dear Faith Family, "It was a dark and stormy night. Suddenly a shot rang out!" Enamored with his own words Snoopy evaluated: "My plot is thickening!" I think he must have been writing about the year 2020! Has your plot thickened this year? A thick plot is actually a great place for us to see Jesus. Isn't it interesting how much more visible Light is in the darkness? Pond...

Dear Faith Family, The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. Acts 17:24-25. Her name? Lucy (No, the names have not been changed to protect the innocent or guilty f...

Dear Faith Family, As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." Genesis 50:20. I still remember a visit to our child's pediatrician. As a newborn, our son needed a shot. So, there we were. Our son lying on the examination table. Next to him was the nurse, needle in hand. She...

Dear Faith Family, "always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;" Ephesians 1:15-16. In our home, we've developed a Thanksgiving (that's tomorrow in case you weren't sure!) tradition. Every year those gathered around our table share something for which they are thankful. You can imagine some of the regulars: family, h...

​​​​​Dear Faith Family,For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you remembering you in my prayers," Ephesians 1:15-16.Our dining room table is decorated with cards of encouragement from you. Our phone records and inboxes are full of your love and encouragement. Eve...

Dear Faith Family, And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age," Matthew 28:18-20. I...

Dear Faith Family, Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding, Who determined its measurements surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 38:4-7 Some years ago I made acquaint...

Dear Faith Family, "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see," 2 Kings 6:17. A couple of weeks ago I decided to plant some fall crops. The two rows of squash in the garden had long since passed their prime. So, out came the little tiller and pronto, the soil was ready to plant. Six broccoli plants and six collard plants lit up the garden with color again. This week,...

Dear Faith Family, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths, Proverbs 3:5-6. "Out of Order". Don't you hate it when the snack machine that holds the key to your happiness disappears behind a sign that lets you know the Snickers Bar dispenser is not working prop...

Dear Faith Family, I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first," Revelation 2:3-4. "If you've forgotten to replace the fuel cap at the gas station, you could do worse. A German man was driving back from his honeymoon in France. He pulled o...

Dear Faith Family, Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14). Once upon a time General Foods made a product called Great Shakes. I would tell you that the product came out in the 1960's. But how would I know that?! The box contained a two-tone chocolate brown plastic cup and four packets of milkshake mix. Just empty t...

Dear Faith Family,Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near, (Isaiah 55:6).If you had wandered into the Fellowship Hall this past Sunday night, you would have discovered your pastor digging through the trash can in the kitchen. Hey, don't judge me. All I know is that when I arrived on the church campus on Sunday morning, I had my keys. And, when I...

Dear Faith Family, My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the ...

Dear Faith Family, Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright, (Genesis 25:34). On my way home from the office I risked life and limb to be the hunter, gatherer for my bride. I suited up and entered the jungle otherwise known as Walmart. It was a successful harvest. I arrived home with six...

Dear Faith Family, Then the Lord said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it, (Jeremiah 1:12). Growing up the son of a pastor had its privileges. Like, access to the pickle jar in the refrigerator in the basement of the church building. But there were some drawbacks, for sure. Like if I misbehaved in church, I was in trouble with both ...

Dear Faith Family, Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him, (Ephesians 4:1). It was 35 years ago! Really?! Can't be! It was. There in front of God and His people, she said it! There in a church sanctuary in a quiet little town in southern Arkansas, she said it! What did she say? She said, "I do"! She ...

Dear Faith Family, So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them, (Genesis 1:27). I still remember one of my teenaged sons fresh home from a haircut. He stepped into the half bathroom downstairs in our house. There the reflection in the mirror overwhelmed him. I was just around the corner in the kitchen when I he...

Dear Faith Family, He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Romans 10:1). Sitting at my desk, I'm looking at a cup that I meant to take home from the office on Monday. Tuesday morning it was still here at the office greeting me with a smile. You forgot! So, yesterday I moved it from the desk to the floor where I would b...

Dear Faith Family, Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved, (Romans 10:1). When I arrived at Faith I inherited the "Rally Monkey". He was a medium sized monkey that kept showing up in odd places. He even traveled incognito with the youth group on a trip to Florida. Here's the thing, wherever the monkey went, he was just there. Tha...

Dear Faith Family, Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving, (Colossians 4:2). Let's flip through the photo album of God's Word. Can I point out three pictures in the album? Picture number one: And the two became one. And then there were four. The four became six. And then there were three! Elimelech and Naomi married. They had two sons, M...

For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure, (Philippians 2:13)...

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:5....

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing, (John 15:5)....

Dear Faith Family, "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God," (James 1:19-20) I'm a little teapot, Short and stout, Here is my handle Here is my spout When I get all steamed up, Hear me shout, Tip me over and pour me out! Are you starting to feel like ...

Dear Faith Family, But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed, (Acts 12:16). All of us have experienced the surreal, right? Jimmy lived out a long dirt road between Ridgeway and Winnsboro. He missed the school bus one morning. So he asked if I would give him a ride to school. After I picked him up I asked if he ever saw any turke...

Dear Faith Family, The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork, (Psalm 19:1). "So I didn't realize this was happening" were the words that I received in a text from my wife today. It was preceded by a map of Tropical Storm Bertha even as she pounded the coast of Charleston this morning. How did I miss that?! Isn't it interest...

Dear Faith Family, Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us, (Romans 5:3-5). Last Friday began with a changing of the guard ...

Why me?...

Reset...

Keep Loving One Another...

The Foot Book...

Good Medicine...

The Beginning of Wisdom...

Dear Faith Family, Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones, Proverbs 3:7-8. Not too long ago my wife gave me a bird feeder that is squirrel proof. When a squirrel puts his/her weight on the feeder, it begins to rotate. I'm not sure if she bought it for the entertainment value or ...

Be Strong in the Lord...

Dear Faith Family,But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth,(Acts 1:8).Years ago a friend of mine, Alan, and I were traveling in his car when another car pulled out in front of us and took off down the road. Alan decided to pursue the other car to se...

Dear Faith Family,I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,(1 Corinthians 1:4).Faith Church, can I just say that I am thankful for you?! What a melting pot of the grace of our God. You guys are such an array of personalities, talents and gifts.For the body does not consist of one member but of many,(1 Corinthians...

We never......

That all the earth may know...

Peace Be with You...

No Jesus No Power, Know Jesus Know Power...

Love One Another...

Faith Family,It's Tuesday, the passion week of Jesus. He was traveling back and forth from Jerusalem to Bethany just under 2 miles each way. Jesus was preparing the world's greatest stage. It was almost time for history's greatest act. Boldness. Confrontation. Escalation. One group after another fired their best shots at Jesus. The chief priests and the elders. The Pharise...

Proclaim the Lord's Death...

Pray For One Another...

He Got Down on His Knees...

Faith Family, About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, (Acts 16:25). What a great story in Acts 16! Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for freeing a slave girl from demon possession. So, they were forced into social distancing! Now, while fastened by stocks in the inner prison, an earthqua...

Stir Up One Another...

Fear Not...

Connecting to Others...

Connecting to God...

Connecting to the Body...