A 93-year-old man in Iowa named Bob Williams is known for sharing chocolate bars with random strangers in his small community. Every Saturday, he goes to the local dollar store to buy boxes of chocolate bars before handing them out to random people. People in his community say it puts a smile on their face and makes them feel special. They also tell how an act of giving a simple chocolate bar from an old retired teacher can turn a bad day on its head. “The Candy Man” – as…

In Judges 2:8-10 we read of a sad and tragic development in the history of Israel.

            And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 years. And they buried him within the boundaries of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of the mountain  of Gaash.  And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers.  And there arose another generation after them who did not know the  Lord…

A temptation comes upon you, and you are faced with a spiritual battle.  The temptation could be many things, such as to lie, be overcome by fear, gossip, lust, drink alcohol, complain, or spiral in discouragement.  We all find ourselves in the crosshairs of temptation, and Satan intentionally targets us in times of weakness.

I think about biblical stories such as Adam & Eve, Cain, David & Bathsheba, & Judas.  If only they would have seen the temptation for what it was, and…

I had the opportunity to go to a Dave Ramsey SMART conference earlier this year, which had multiple speakers who talked about everything from finances, becoming debt free, preparing for retirement, relationships between a husband and wife, parents and kids, etc.  One word that was consistently used by all the speakers was “Intentionality.”  The definition of Intentionality is simply- the fact of being deliberate, intentional or purposive (with purpose or intention).

A popular quote from Dave Ramsey is “You win with…

Last month, The Atlantic published an article entitled, “Are McMansions Making People Any Happier?”  The article was based on a study by Clement Bellet, which demonstrates that:

• modern day houses are significantly larger than from four decades ago.
• average family sizes are significantly lower than from four decades ago.
• therefore, there is almost twice as much space per person per house today than four decades ago, and as…

When I was young, I took piano lessons, and after a while I started to get to the point where I could play real songs.  In our piano bench (like every other piano bench at the time) was a storage bin that would contain a smorgasbord of random sheet music.  You never knew what you might find!  In my house, it turned out there was quite a bit of 70’s pop music available:  “You Light Up My Life,” the theme from “The Young And The Restless,” and other milquetoast offerings were…

When we talk about having perspective, we know that we are talking about how we’re able to view a particular subject from a point of view that may not be how we initially viewed it. Getting a proper perspective means that we take an honest look at the way things really are and not just see what we want to see. The proper perspective comes, when we see the larger picture. We sometimes become weary and disgusted, because we are only focusing on part of the picture. Taking a bigger view…

In a recent video several interesting factors came to light.  The author made several points that have direct implications to being successful as a Christian.  He noted the top ten things that successful people do.

1. Successful people believe in the law of income.  Here, he stated that successful people focus on providing value instead of simply effort...  As Christians, we must definitely put forth an extraordinary effort.  However, we must even more focus on providing value in our and others' lives.

     Prayer and divine providence are closely related… so close that they are difficult to separate! For when we humbly petition our God in prayer, we do so hoping, expecting, that He will listen and provide for us what we seek. For what do we pray in supplication? A loved one be healed? A burden be lifted? A blessing be given? Much of our prayer, by its nature, is asking God to provide what we need and desire.

     So, what is divine providence? First, there is the providence…

     “I don’t know what I believe regarding whether or not someone can fall from grace.”  This statement was made recently by a man who has been attending the Wednesday morning coffee shop study for over a year now.  This man has proven himself to be incredibly knowledgeable and sincere in his faith, but in this matter, he seemed to struggle to decide for himself what he believes.  The study quickly turned to Galatians 5:4, and his reaction and words were very, very encouraging.

Evangelism is arguably the most important aspect in the life of a Christian. Evangelism, however, is not solely the responsibility of elders and preachers. A quick Google search gives the definition of evangelism as, “the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness.” Evangelism should reach all, and all Christians should take part in the effort.

Scripture commands evangelism.  In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives His last words to his disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…

What does someone who is materialistic look and act like?  I think we all have an image in our minds of what we think a materialistic person would be like....someone who must have the latest technology or fashion….someone who focuses attention on themselves or the possessions that they have….or someone who buys cars and clothes because of the image that the brand or label portrays.

The truth is that materialism has nothing to do with wealth . . . it comes down to…

Act 13:15   “If ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”

Words of comfort . . . glad tidings . . . encouragement

Acts 13:22  And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

23  Of this man's…