THE THIRTIETH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. GracEmail subscribers Chester and Angela Woodhall mark forty-five year mission milestone Britishers Chester and Angela Woodhall, long-time gracEmail subscribers, are celebrating their 45th year as missioners taking the gospel to countries across the southern parts of the African continent. It is thought they might be among the longest-serving missionaries from Churches of Christ presently on the field. As newlyweds nearly a half-century ago, Chester and Angela went first to Zambia, previously known as … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2015
NO ONE-DIMENSIONAL PEOPLE
THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. When I was a child, there was a man at the other end of the block whom we kids named "Grouchy Grubbs." Whether he disliked boys and girls in general or only those who were his neighbors we did not know, but he certainly did not like little Fudges, Dunnavants, Chandlers, Kuykendalls, Chumleys, Rollingses, Curtises or Williamses--the families with children growing up on Chandler Drive. He was a one-dimensional man with a single attribute. He was grouchy. His grouchiness contrasted sharply with the … [Read more...]
Family Notes 21/12/2015
THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. WHAT WILL MATTER It is easy to find people willing to praise the old-fashioned virtues, more difficult to locate folks who demonstrate those virtues year after year by their lives. I know no one who does that more consistently, more humbly, and with more enthusiasm and good cheer than my dear friend, gracEmail subscriber Dwain Evans (dwainevans@att.net). Dwain recently forwarded a beautiful video that is sure to bless. Enjoy it at: player.vimeo.com/video/89476173 LITTLE PORTION BAKERY John Michael … [Read more...]
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRISTMAS
THE TWENTIETH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. The greatest miracle associated with the birth of Jesus, I suspect, is not the conception of a child in Mary's virgin womb. No, the greatest miracle in this story is the incomprehensible accomplishment that Christians call the Incarnation--a bona fide reality driving all that happens later and making it all possible. But does it really matter that in Mary's baby Jesus, the Son of God became a man? Indeed it does, and to answer this question is to discover the true significance of Christmas. Except for … [Read more...]
Family Notes 16/12/2015
THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. COLE, SINATRA, AND SHELBURNE Picture your most comfy chair, your favorite beverage, and a private concert of standards like "Moonglow," "The Very Thought of You," and "The Way You Look Tonight." This musical treat awaits you on the latest CD from singer and gracEmail subscriber Curtis Shelburne titled "For Sentimental Reasons." On it, Shelburne faithfully delivers a dozen such classics, wrapped in pure, mellow tones reminiscent of Nat King Cole with a touch of Sinatra-style light jazz. And that is no … [Read more...]
WE SOW BUT GOD GROWS
THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. In a previous gracEmail I told of speaking, in a B'Nai B'rith program, on the Christian understanding of the Old Testament. As we moved into Q&A from Lecture, I urged these Jewish men to consider the claim of Jesus of Nazareth to be the Messiah foretold by the Hebrew prophets. A gracEmail subscriber who read the report now inquires further: "But what of your audience? Obviously they did not stone you. But did they believe you?" * * * The gentleman who invited me to take part in the B'Nai B'Rith program … [Read more...]
Family Notes 09/12/2015
THE NINTH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. USES PRAYER JESUS TAUGHT gracEmail subscriber Roger Harper, who happens to be a priest in the Church of England, proposes using as a conversion prayer the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray, and he explains as follows: May I suggest an alternative prayer for beginning the Christian life? Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be . . . Jesus commanded us to pray using the Our Father . . .' words. He introduced it with an imperative. Jesus commanded us to teach disciples to obey all that He commanded. We … [Read more...]
IF JESUS IS MESSIAH, WHY IS WORLD SUCH A MESS?
THE SIXTH DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. The Jewish leaders sitting before me were in Houston from several states, guests of B'Nai B'rith for a week of continuing education and self-improvement. Waiting to teach, advise and encourage them were a physician, a psychologist, a financial planner, a personal trainer, and a rabbi. My assignment was to explain in one hour the Christian understanding of the Old Testament. I did as asked, and ended by urging these Jewish men to consider with an open mind the claim of Jesus of Nazareth to be the Messiah foretold … [Read more...]
Family Notes 03/12/2015
THE THIRD DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. THANKS FOR THE THANKS! A few years ago, a surgeon who treated me asked if I minded if he prayed for me and that began a wonderful conversation that lasted until he discharged me. This week, I received an email thanks and update from the surgeon, to whom I now offer my thanks in return. Following is a portion of his email. "I have been enjoying your gracEmails for sometime since I saw you several years ago in my office. Your unbridled enthusiasm for God's Word and His wisdom continues to inspire and encourage me. … [Read more...]
Family Notes 02/12/2015
THE SECOND DAY OF DECEMBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. HUH??? I was reading a blog article recently about the use of evangelistic tools. At the end of the article were comments by readers. The first comment, obviously a spoof and not based in fact, said: Did you hear that Billy Graham Ministries has abandoned the Sinner's Prayer? They wanted a fresh slogan to appeal to nonbelievers. Here is what they decided on... "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." Below which the commenting reader added his … [Read more...]