When it comes to playing the lottery, I like to tell people I’m way ahead. When their eyes widen, it begs the unspoken question, “How did you do it?” Then they fall when I reply, “I haven’t lost a dollar yet—because I haven’t bought a single ticket.” My inclination to save my money ever since…
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Today marks a special anniversary in my life: it’s been 40 years since I prayed in our living room and made the decision to accept Jesus as my Savior and make Him Lord over my life. The fact that it happened at home and not in a church demonstrates the fact that God is alive…
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While there will be many things to give thanks for next Thursday when our family sits down for turkey dinner, for me heading the list will be feeling normal again. One can only appreciate how wonderful that is after battling through a series of medical crises that turned our lives upside down this year. First…
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News surfaced recently that two notable Christian voices are stepping down from their long-time positions, although both are shifting gears rather than calling it a retirement. The first was the 700 Club’s Pat Robertson, who announced Oct. 1 that he was leaving as host after six decades. But not to go sit in the shade.…
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Sen. Joe Manchin has been labeled everything from not being a “team player” to a Republican in Democrat’s clothing. The criticism grew especially heated last week as President Joe Biden’s proposed social services and climate change bill shrank even further, to about $1.75 trillion. Yet a statement from Sen. Manchin—he the small-state leader who is…
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Recently our pastor took a break from his sermon series to address a timely topic: worry and anxiety. Among Scriptures he had members of the congregation read: Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, yes,…
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Until recently, I had never talked with someone who had attended the famous Brownsville Revival in Pensacola, Florida. The spiritual wave broke loose unexpectedly in mid-1995 and went on for nine years. I had interviewed several people about it, including one who had experienced its impact in Africa. However, I received an even closer taste…
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Death makes us consider our need for God. That was a most prescient observation made by the pastor at a recent memorial service for a man I’ll call Kevin. Prior to falling ill in his mid-40s, Kevin had volunteered at our church’s food pantry, even though he was a member of a different congregation. Though…
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Early October brings us the Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs. A friend who lives, eats and breathes the sport is in seventh heaven. Me, not so much. It’s hard to believe I have faded away from watching baseball, considering it was my favorite sport growing up. I thought there could be nothing better, no dream…
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Our pastor has been preaching through the Book of Mark the past few months. While his series has been engaging and informative, for me a particular point sticks out: how badly the Pharisees missed the mark. They started out with good intentions: seriousness about keeping the law. But along the way, they turned 10 Commandments…
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