In Matthew 22:1-14, we read of a parable Jesus told the people around Him that was aimed especially at the chief priests and Pharisees. This parable compared the kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast given by a king for his son.
Somehow, and not on purpose, when I downloaded a news app on my phone, it started giving me headlines all day – and all night – long. If I had tried to do it, I couldn’t have figured it out.
I’m about to show my age with this quote. Have you ever heard the saying, “Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never harm you?" My mother used to say that to me all the time, especially when my sisters and I would get into name-calling.
We adults always think of ourselves as grown-up and responsible. But as Christians, we need to realize that God has adopted us as His children. And, as such, we need to acknowledge that fact and learn to act in ways that please our Heavenly Father. Salvation is free for the asking if we repent and seek it, but God does have expectations of us as His ambassadors for Christ.
We painted rats and tumors last week in Sunday School. The Super Bowl had not been hyped as much. Our class has been journeying through 1 Samuel, building up to David and Goliath.
If you came into my house after bedtime every night, all you would hear would be sound machines going. Wayne and I do not use one, but when we open our bedroom door, that is really all we can hear. I assume we are not the only household that has sound machines running at night.
Several seasons ago, Justin Verlander pitched for the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Houston Astros. This season he plays for the San Francisco Giants. On one occasion, Verlander faced Oakland A’s David DeJesus at the plate with a runner on first base.
Grace is often defined as “unmerited favor.” It means God is offering us something precious without cost. And that something is the most important thing we can possess on earth, salvation.
It’s Vacation Bible School time. Throughout the summer, all across the nation, churches decorate, prep, study, and pray for high energy days of Bible stories, crafts, recreation, and snacks. All pointing to the reason for the season: Jesus.
When you hear the phrase "behind closed doors," what do you think? I always seem to assume that it is something secretive, and the knowledge imparted or the business shared is just for certain people. It always makes me wonder when I hear about a closed-door meeting.
This has been a hard week for me. I am sure it has been a hard week for many people for different reasons. The tragedy in Texas has been on my heart and mind. As a parent and a grandparent, I cannot even begin to comprehend the enormity of what the people who have lost loved ones must be feeling.
What do you get when you blend high energy, enthusiasm, determination, patriotism, persistence, tight security, and a ton of fun in the summer heat? The 56th running of the Atlanta July 4th Peachtree Road Race.
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart but it doesn’t always show on my face these days. Gravity and age tug at the sides of my mouth lately causing a frown/scowl. (Try not to picture Cinderella’s stepmother.)
Salvation is the process of redemption, of rebirth, of becoming a child of God and a member of His family. In his book, The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life, Charles Stanley explained the process most eloquently. He said, “By putting our sin on Christ and placing Christ’s righteous standing on us, God allowed us entry into His family. It’s not our righteousness. It’s Christ’s.”
This is our family beach week. We have five adults and seven grandchildren, six of whom are girls, and four of those girls are teenagers. Let that sink in for a minute!
What a frustrating season for these Atlanta Braves! They’ve turned into the Falcons, constantly letting us down. The Braves opened this campaign with seven straight losses. Newcomer Jurickson Profar got suspended. Pitcher Renaldo Lopez had shoulder surgery. Pitcher Spencer Strider strained his hamstring. Pitcher A. J. Smith-Shawver tore his UCL and had Tommy John surgery. Now, pitcher Chris Sale is out with a broken rib cage.
Who led you to faith in Jesus Christ? Imagine how different your life would be if that person had never taken the time to share the gospel with you. Whether it was a pastor on a Sunday morning, a student ministry volunteer on a Wednesday night, a faithful family member, or a witnessing friend, the person who led you to Jesus had a profound impact on your eternity. Now, consider this: there are 7 million people in Georgia who don’t have an answer to that question.
In Food City at the gift card …
We call it “Spice of Life,” and it’s a family favorite. Wait. Let me start at the beginning… Way back in the early 1990s, Baptist Student Union teams came to our church at First Baptist, Belfry.
I love the beach! (I may have said this a time or two before.) I love listening to and watching the ocean and the waves. There is just something about it that to me is so calming and relaxing. I’m not so much a “get in the ocean girl” but rather a “watch the ocean girl.”
When our daughter comes home, we laugh, reminisce, eat delicious food, laugh more, make fun of each other… And then she tells us everything we have that is past its expiration date. Apparently, my beloved and I only look at the date on the milk.
Someone defined fathers as “men who give their daughters away to other men who aren’t nearly good enough so that they can have grandchildren who will be smarter than anyone else’s.”
Summer is here, and school is out. Total boredom for the grandchildren has not completely set in yet - but it's close. There has been so much rain that their outside time has been limited.
Every spring, for as long as I can remember, my beloved and I have planted flowers. Over the years, I’ve killed a lot, so I know what will thrive and what is sure to die.
Doesn't it always seem like we are never prepared for the unexpected trials and tests? I should just expect surprises in my life, and you would think I would learn that lesson. For some reason, I just don't look for the unwanted surprises.