That’s the question Jesus asked after healing the ten lepers in Luke 17.  Ten men were cleansed, but only one of them “turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him” (17:16).  Where were the other nine?

We are about to closeout another Thanksgiving weekend, a holiday that until recently was not as commercialized as Christmas, Easter, and Valentine’s Day.  But it has become the season to usher in Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday deals.  For many, it is no longer a time to be thankful for what…

Powder, Purpose, and Presence:
Spiritual Lessons from Snow Skiing

Snow skiing is one of the most exhilarating experiences one can have. The beauty
of fresh snow, quiet forests, and the thrill of weaving between pines creates a kind
of adventure that feels almost spiritual. But beyond the physical rush of snow
skiing, tree skiing offers another level of opportunity to reflect on deeper truths,
and lessons that mirror the walk of faith and the principles found in Scripture. As
we move through the trees, navigate obstacles, and take in the beauty of God’s
creation, we can learn something about perseverance, focus,…

New Every Morning

One of the most emotion-packed passages in all the Bible is Jeremiah’s extended
dirge found in the book of Lamentations. There he pours out his heart lamenting
the tragedy of Jerusalem’s total destruction, brought on by Israel’s rebellion
against Jehovah.
However, in the midst of His intense grief, the prophet pauses to observe:
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s
lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never
fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
( Lam 3:21-23 )
Based on this text Thomas Chisholm wrote a wonderful hymn, entitled…

    The effects of low blood sugar come in many forms. It always includes a general sense of illness and the desire to lay down. But depending on the severity and length of time, it also includes breaking out in sweat, vision changes, numbness in your lips, anxiety, hunger, and even confusion.  But every once in a while, when my blood sugar crashes during the night, it comes with a bad dream  where I know I need to wake up but can't.  It's a feeling of being trapped in a nightmare, with your whole body working in earnest to respond…

Honoring Perspective

A voice, one that trails away across the silent ebb and flow of waves rolling in and
out. A call penetrating through the tumultuous waves and howling winds pushing
us forward. A whisper, quietly questioning if we are ready to step out in this new
walk. Souls around us question. A soul within us stirs. This world, His creation,
beckons that there is work to be done. Motivations come in various ways, at the
most unexpected of times. This world is full of possibilities, and a healthy soul
wishes to plant the seed and reap His abundance.
For Christians,…

The great actor Charles Laughton had been invited to a family dinner in London. During the evening, the host asked everyone present to recite a favorite poem or passage. When it was Laughton’s turn, he skillfully recited Psalm 23 (“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…”). Everyone applauded his performance, and the process continued.

The last person to be called on was an adored elderly aunt who had dozed off in a corner and missed Laughton’s recitation. Someone gently woke her, explained what was going on, and asked her to…

Behold, two Bricklayers went out to build fortifications. The First Bricklayer began work on his own being taught by his father. He respected the example of his father and the great fortifications that he had built.  And so the young Bricklayer worked alone diligently. Until one day he found a woman that loved bricklaying as much as him. They had two children who also learned to lay bricks. They worked diligently daily for many years together.

The Second Bricklayer also had the example of his father, but he did not follow his Father’s faithful ways. He thought his father was too…

The Good News

When I offer a public prayer, I will sometimes pray “Thank you, God, for Jesus
and for what he has done, what he’s doing, and what he’s going to do”. It’s safe
to say that someone new to Christianity who hears that prayer may ask what does
he mean by that? This is a great question. And for those who do not know Christ .
. . it is a matter of life and death.
As Christians we believe that Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection are the
backbone of our faith and central in God’s plan for humanity.…

The apostle Peter wrote his second letter to stir up the sincere minds of his readers by way of reminder, that they should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by the apostles – 3:1-2.

We all need to be reminded from time to time.  Even the letters on the Lord’s Table serve as a weekly reminder.  This article contains a short list of things about which we all need reminding.

1.  Always put God first in your daily life and thoughts. Else, He soon will become last. Check the many…

Mentorship: Passing the Faith Forward

When Paul wrote to Titus, he gave a pattern that has kept the Lord’s church
strong for generations: “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-
controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise
are to teach what is good, and so train the young women.” (Titus 2:2-6)
That short passage is more than good advice; it’s a blueprint for how God
designed His people to grow. The Lord could have chosen any system to preserve
the faith, but He chose mentorship. Older Christians guiding younger ones.
Experienced hands teaching by word,…

Last year, a social media post on the “X” (formerly Twitter) account of Sesame Street’s beloved character Elmo unexpectedly went viral.

The post was simple and innocent: “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” But it elicited thousands of depressing responses — what some mental health professionals refer to as a “trauma dump.” A few examples:

“Not feeling too tickled about life right now, Elmo.”

“Elmo, I’m suffering from existential dread over here.”

“Elmo, my man, you been to the grocery…

We’ve felt the awkwardness or even fear of walking into a new place for the first time.  We know the difference between a friendly church and those assemblies where we didn’t feel very welcome.

The importance placed on the visitor is seen in many places we frequent.  They may have a Visitor Center or offer Visitor Parking.  Hospitals have Visiting Hours.  Shouldn’t the visitor be taken care of when they come to the house of the Lord?  

We have a scriptural responsibility that extends beyond the borders of our brethren.  In both passages that list the qualifications of elders, these men…

Like a Fish Out of Water

The phrase “like a fish out of water” needs little explanation if you’ve ever actually
seen a fish out of water. What was a few moments before the definition of grace
and beauty suddenly becomes a wriggling, flopping, creature bent on chaos.
Now imagine seeing a fish swimming along in a clear mountain stream, living his
best fish life. Then someone comes along and snatches him out of the water,
tosses him onto the grass, and declares him, “Free from the bondage of water!!!”
Keep that image in mind for just a few minutes.
We…