I have worried about it. I have been thankful for it.  I miss it when it's gone.  I use it when it comes.  Money is a controlling force in my life.  I would argue that Mrs. Kim and I have had more disagreements over money than any other issue in our marriage.  We all need it to live in the world but we all fall in to the temptation of abusing control of wealth.Jesus said that … No one can serve tw...  Read More

1 Corinthians 4:8-13You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.  For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.  We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are pru...  Read More

Bless me and my family forever! (2 Samuel 7:29)Apart from religious influence, the family is the most important unit of society. It would be good if every home were Christian, but we know that it is not so. The family and the home can never exert their proper influence while ignoring the biblical standard. The Bible calls for discipline and a recognition of authority. If children do not learn this...  Read More

God makes everything beautiful—even pain—both for us and the people in our lives. A single flame burned inside the lantern, yet hundreds of little points of light danced across the darkened room. An artist had taken this plain tin cylinder and meticulously punched hundreds of tiny holes into the metal. The design, when lit from within, transformed both the little lamp and the darkness into breatht...  Read More

The last few days I have spent time planning ministry events for the summer.  I look forward to VBS, YEP, and the 4th of July.  We use these special times to grow as servants of God and to reach others who do not have a real relationship of grace with Jesus.  Event ministries are great for kingdom growth but they also pose a trap for the church.  Activities can never take the place of one on one d...  Read More

1 Corinthians 1:26-31For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that ...  Read More

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me" 2 Corinthians 12:9.Crash!My stomach lurched as I sprinted into the bedroom where my 14-month-old daughter greeted me with a toothy grin. There on the littered floor, she played among a fallen lamp ...  Read More

Gideon is first introduced in Scripture as hiding from the Midianites in a wine press (Judges 6:11). That is not his only display of weakness, however.Not fully believing that he would save Israel, Gideon immediately asked God for a sign that what he was witnessing was Him. God was patient and granted that to Gideon, who led 10 men to take down Baal's altar (Judges 6:14-28). Then Gideon did it aga...  Read More

Last Friday I left the house to start the day.  I made the usual turns.  First a right on Highway 64: then a left on Main Street; finally a turn on to Church Street straight for the HBC building.  Then it hit me, I was going the wrong way.  I had to be in Bolivar for a meeting not in Hornsby.  My morning was controlled by habits.  This trip was the one I normally took.  I am a creature of habit an...  Read More

1 Corinthians 2:6-16Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lor...  Read More

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved" Ephesians 2:4-5.The postcard came in the mail with a promise. Just show up, listen to a brief sales presentation and receive a free $25 gift card.My husband and I were newly married and short on money. So, the promise of $25 felt...  Read More

The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father and walked in His commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. 2 Chronicles 17:3-5At thirty-five y...  Read More