A Thanksgiving Challenge

A Thanksgiving Challenge

Greg Chandler
Meditation, Prayer, Thankfulness

Don’t grow alarmed! This is not a call to give up turkey or forgo the dessert table at Grandma’s house; it is much more challenging.

As its very name implies, Thanksgiving is a holiday dedicated to remembering just how blessed we are and how important it is to express gratitude for the abundance of blessings. Throughout the years, the traditional way of commemorating our blessings is to gather around a table filled with good food and enjoy time with family and friends. Unless one is tasked with preparing this feast, it is likely one of the most tranquil of American holidays.

Thoughts about Heaven

Thoughts about Heaven

Carl Witty
Heaven, Hope

As I write these words, I am preparing to teach a course at Gooch Lane on Heaven. The sheer amount of material on the subject in God’s word is almost overwhelming! It is not difficult to relate every part of the Bible to that place where we plan to spend eternity.

United We Stand

United We Stand

Greg Chandler
Study, Unity

For the past few weeks, several have joined in a study of seven churches described in the opening pages of John’s Revelation. This has been a thought-provoking and challenging study, as attention was focused on the Lord’s words to these groups of saints who lived over 2,000 years ago. In studies such as this, it is very easy to simply approach the topic academically, with a focus on definitions, links to other parts of the Bible, and the place the topic holds within its respective book. To do so, however, fails to understand that these were real churches comprised of real people who faced the daily challenge of faithful living amidst a pagan culture. Churches of the 21st-century do well to heed the words spoken by the Lord to these churches that belonged to Him.

Two Fellowships

Two Fellowships

Robert F. Turner
Unity, Faith, Fellowship

In 1 John 1 John describes his fellowship with God as one dependent upon his walking “in the light” of God’s truth. He had learned of Christ, first hand, and then wrote this truth for our benefit; so that we may have the same kind of fellowship he had, i.e., fellowship with God. There is no fellowship with God for those who walk in darkness — error and sin.

Learning to Gaze

Learning to Gaze

Eric Hamilton
Worship, Worldliness, Priorities

If you had one thing to ask of God, what would it be? It is always difficult asking a question like that because there can often be two answers. There is the actual answer, and then there is the answer we know we ought to give. There can create tension within the answerer—they know (or think they know) what the right answer should be, and though they don’t feel it in their heart, they still may feel compelled to answer the question one way rather than the other.

Wait on the Lord!

Wait on the Lord!

Mike Johnson
Patience, Trust

Many think that David is the author of Psalm 27 and that he wrote it when he was fleeing from Saul. It has been called “An Exuberant Declaration of Faith.” It starts with David expressing great confidence in God (1-3). God is his light, salvation, and strength. He next speaks of his love for and communion with God (4-6) as the tone goes from celebration to contemplation. In the next section (7-12), the writer goes from contemplation to crying out and pleading to God in prayer. Finally, in the last part (13-14), he concludes by speaking of the power of faith and then advises and encourages others.

Not Knowing Where You Are Going

Not Knowing Where You Are Going

Eric Hamilton
Faith, Trust

Abram was seventy-five years old when God spoke to him: “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). Seventy-five is certainly an odd age to be finally leaving home. Parents in our day and age get antsy when their children haven’t left by their twenties. Abram was called to leave his parents at seventy-five. The Hebrews author specifically mentions this incident as a demonstration of faith: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)

Remembering

Remembering

Noble Harber
Evangelism, Study

Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City, the attack on the Pentagon in Washington, and the heroic downing of United Airlines Flight 93. I remember getting dressed to go to work that Tuesday morning when the newscast came on the television showing the first tower had been struck by an airliner. While watching the newscast, I saw another airliner crash into the second tower. In shock, I continued getting ready for work as I watched the news coverage. Numbly, I drove to work. When I arrived, I found the two ladies who worked for me at their desks and unaware of the events that had transpired that morning. One of them asked me if I was okay. I could not formulate a response because of the lump in my throat. I simply indicated that they needed turn on the television.

Twenty Years Later

Twenty Years Later

Greg Chandler
Bitterness, Faith, Hope

This coming September 11 will mark the 20th anniversary of the bombings of the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, and the heroic downing of United Airlines Flight 93 to prevent terrorists from using the plane as a weapon against the United States. Those of age likely remember exactly where they were upon learning of this harrowing event and have difficulty accepting that enough time has passed that an entire generation knows these things only as historical events. As commemorations take place and multitudes of words are spoken about these tragedies, it provides good opportunity to be reminded of the spiritual lessons that can still be gained two decades later.

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