A diffused glow spreads across the sky, as if someone is shining a light beyond the horizon and just below it. "Diffused," I say, because this glow is neither direct nor clear. Not a typical sunrise, to be sure. Fog, perhaps, or haze. I am not wearing a watch on this early morning walk, but I judge the time to be about 6:45 a.m. I try to listen to God on these walks, although my brain often has difficulty staying focused. Thoughts flash in rapid succession, thoughts holy and profane, significant and worthless. There must be three persons vying for attention, I think -- God, Satan and … [Read more...]
THE ANGLICANS
1. The Christian Church began in England: a. About 200 years after the apostles died; b. During the Norman Conquest of William the Conqueror; c. In the reign of Henry VIII; d. With American missionaries after World War II. 2. The Archbishop of Canterbury preaches in: a. Canterbury Church of England; b. Cathedral Anglican Church; c. Canterbury British Cathedral; d. Cathedral Church of Christ, Canterbury. 3. John Wycliffe of Oxford was: a. a reformer 200 years before Martin Luther; b. a great fan of Martin Luther; c. a notable opponent of Martin Luther; d. a Fulbright scholar … [Read more...]
SPRINGTIME IN SEARCY
April 13, 2010 -- The deadness of Winter has given way to the greening of new life, and the fields and forests of Arkansas are now lavishly adorned in a living palette of jonquils, firepinks and wisteria, complemented by redbuds, dogwoods and flowering trees of all kinds. Contributing the audio to this visual splendor, a host of robins, bluebirds and martins cheerfully announce the arrival of Spring. Meanwhile, the Grand Artist is also moving among the community of rescued humans, in whose lives he is working a rebirth and transformation fully as awesome as his work in nature. Sara Faye and I … [Read more...]
OKLAHOMA OKAY
(03/28/2010) Today, God willing, I am speaking twice at South Brooke Church of Christ in Tulsa, Oklahoma, talking about Jesus our great high priest, the Son of God who became a man to make men and women children of God.This weekend follows three full days of The Tulsa Workshop, which offers far more than any one person can take in. Much of the joy and benefit of such gatherings is the opportunity to meet, renew acquaintances and enjoy fellowship with a host of brothers and sisters from around the world. On this occasion that included international gracEmail subscribers Jacob Agak from Kenya … [Read more...]
MINISTRY IN MASSACHUSETTS
I praise God for the privilege of presenting the gospel message last week in Boston, Massachusetts, in the course of seven sermons/lessons from Hebrews in two separate venues. Thursday through Saturday, I had the honor of extolling the accomplishments of Jesus Christ our Savior four times to pastors, delegates and spouses of the Eastern Regional Association of the Advent Christian Church, meeting in annual convention in Peabody, Mass. On Sunday, I was privileged to do the same thing three times at the Church of Christ in Burlington, Mass., a congregation planted by a group of Southerners who … [Read more...]
BREADFRUIT AND THE BREAD FROM HEAVEN
Two of our new friends at the Maui Church of Christ are Akira and Carlyna Tosie, natives of Micronesia and long-time residents of Hawaii. Earlier this month we were honored to join their extended family of 16 for a Micronesian home cookout, to celebrate Akira's 71st birthday and grandson Steven's fifth. Because Akira and Carlyna tend the church building and grounds, we have enjoyed their company at our place also. One day Akira, who served as a legislator on his home island, cut off a coconut growing in our backyard, made two swipes with his machete, and handed me a fresh sampling of nature's … [Read more...]
MEMBERS WORKING TOGETHER
We arrived at the Kahului airport on Maui last Wednesday evening where retiree and associate minister Bob Harp met us warmly, wished us "Aloha," placed leis around our necks and led us to "the cottage" (parsonage) that is our home this month of September. At Bible study that night, Tim Shiroma led us in singing before I led our discussion. On Thursday, the primary window unit A/C in the cottage began leaking water inside the house, and Tom Hickox "jerry-rigged" it on Friday to get us through the weekend. On Saturday, several vehicles pulled into the church parking area, and people scrambled … [Read more...]
CHRISTIANITY IN HAWAI`I
Curious about the origins of Christianity in Hawai`i, I researched via internet and found confusing and sometimes-contradictory information. After sifting for attempted accuracy, the following account seems to be generally reliable history. About 400 A.D., or so it is thought, a gentle people emigrated from Southeast Asia and Polynesia to what we know as Hawai`i, and there they lived peacefully for perhaps 500 years. Between 900-1100 A.D., Tahitian invaders enslaved the Hawai`ians, ruling with terror and torture for nearly 1,000 years. When British explorer Capt. James Cook "discovered" … [Read more...]
TOUCHED IN TULSA
March 30, 2008 -- I am thanking God today for his blessings received in Tulsa, Oklahoma this past week at the Tulsa International Soul-Winning Workshop (ISWW), where from Wednesday evening through Saturday noon I was privileged to meet dozens of gracEmail subscribers from across the USA and elsewhere, to hear powerful, Christ-minded speakers such as Terry Rush, Don McLaughlin and Randy Harris, to worship with the Zoe Group singers and to share three well-received presentations from my own heart concerning "The Sound of His Voice: Discovering the Secrets of God's Guidance." This was the 33rd … [Read more...]
RETURN TO ROOTS
Jan. 29, 2008 -- The events of the past weekend bring to mind a poignant story from the life of David, told in 2 Samuel 23:14-16. Hidden from hostile Philistines in a cave at Adullam, David longed for a drink of water from his hometown well at Bethlehem, just five miles away. Overhearing this, three of David's bodyguards risked their lives to obtain it for him. Overcome with emotion and respect for his men's courage, David refused to drink the water but "poured it out to the LORD." To the person blessed with an idyllic childhood, there is something almost holy about one's hometown. I am still … [Read more...]