One of the things I learned to enjoy in my life is my quiet time. During this time, usually the first hour of my day, I read scripture, pray, and write in a journal. My goal for this is simply to write down how I’m feeling about life, faith, and struggles, reflecting on my actions and feelings. I will write down verbatim the prayers for the Lord’s help in the areas I am struggling. I shouldn’t be but often I am surprised that during that quiet time, I find comfort and wisdom for the very things that are hurting me. I’ve come to accept that the Lord uses this time to help me reflect on His will and Word and how that should be used during the struggles.
Continue reading “The challenge of Christian growth.”The epistle of 1 Peter was written to Christians living in the northern part of Asia minor called Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. These Christians were facing persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Peter writes to encourage them to stand strong amid the persecution that was coming. He wanted them to stay fully committed to Jesus no matter the cost.
Continue reading “An introduction to 1 Peter.“This little book was written by James, the half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the church at Jerusalem. Despite its connection to Jesus and the early church, James has never enjoyed the devotion and praise of books like Romans or Galatians. Yet its impact and place in Scripture cannot be denied. While Hebrews was written to discourage Christians from returning to Judaism, James was written to correct bad attitudes and actions that had arose during life’s difficult struggles.
Continue reading “An introduction to the book of James.“Most people have favorites when it comes to the Bible. For me personally, Hebrew’s has always been near the top. Perhaps it is because the book helped me conceptualize the end of the old Covenant and the start of the New.
Continue reading “An introduction to Hebrews.“We’ve all been there at some point in our journey. One day everything is great and the next, we find ourselves feeling lost and distant from God. There can be many reasons for feeling like this but most often, it is a result of some struggle we are facing in life. Sometimes it isn`t that God has moved away from us but that we’ve moved away from Him and sometimes it is simply a matter of how we’re feeling in the midst of the struggle. No matter the reason or if the distance is real we should all want to be closer to the Lord. Feeling closer to the Lord gives us comfort when life gets crazy, when we`re struggling with some sin in our life, or when we simply need more strength.
Continue reading “When God feels distant.“What do I mean by a giver and a taker? A giver is someone who is always serving, always giving their time, always involved in the life and activities of the church. A giver is a person whose life is built around the idea that contributing to the life and welfare of others is more important that taking from it.
Continue reading “A Giver or A Taker?“Paul’s letter to Philemon has often been overlooked. Some people even wonder why it is even included in the Bible. Truthfully, it’s a short letter comprised of only 25 verses but it’s a letter filled with heart and message of Jesus. From beginning to end, it’s concerned with showing love, second chances, and mercy to those who need it most.
Continue reading “An introduction to Philemon.“Tears are a funny thing. On one hand they are necessary to the healthy function of the eye but on the other, they are necessary to our mental health. Scientists have concluded that not only are there different kinds of tears, depending on the occasion, there are also mental health benefits to a good cry.
For some, tears are held back because they don’t want to seem weak or vulnerable to those around them. For others, holding back the tears is like trying to hold back a dam flooded by rainwater.
Continue reading “Does God value our tears?“Anytime a Christian creates distance, whether intentional or not, between themselves and the church, they are in danger. They are in danger of falling away from the church, the family of God, and eventually from the Lord Himself. Some prefer to keep their distance, not get too involved with the work of the church. Instead, they chose to be something between a member and a visitor. They come on Sundays to the worship services, which is good, but have little or no interactions with the church the rest of the week.
Continue reading “The Need to be close to the Church.”As far as New Testament letters go, first and second Timothy and Titus have probably dominated more of my time and study than any other books. To be perfectly honest, I’m not entirely certain why I’ve had such a fascination with these letters. Perhaps it’s because they were written to young preachers struggling to adapt to new towns, churches, and still faithfully deal with the struggles and challenges associated with ministry. To that I can relate. Not that I haven’t loved it with my whole life and heart, but it has been challenging to say the least.
Continue reading “An introduction to the letters to Timothy and Titus.”Most know Paul wrote 1 &2 Thessalonians, but many forget that Timothy and Silas are also named as authors (1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1).
Something that’s interesting is that most people agree that the letter to the Thessalonians is the oldest letter in the New Testament.
Continue reading “Introduction to 1 & 2 Thessalonians.”Colossians focuses on Jesus as the head of the church and the focus of all things.
Colossae was a small, minor city located about 100 miles inland from Ephesus in what is modern day Turkey. It is located by an important mountain pass and once was a very populated city with a thriving economy. By the time Paul writes to them it had withered, due in part, to the success of neighboring cities like Ephesus and Hierapolis.
Continue reading “Introduction to Colossians.”The city of Philippi had a long and interesting history. It was initially colonized by the people of Thasos around 360 BC. It was renamed “Philippi” by Philip of Macedon in 356 BC and was eventually abandoned in the 1 4th century after the Ottoman conquest.
Continue reading “An Introduction to Philippians.”Father’s Day is here. For most dads, it is just another day in the great and rewarding journey of doing the best we can for our families. Like Mother’s Day, we celebrate this day as an opportunity to honor the contributions dads, all over the world, play in the life of the family. Dad’s should be honored and encouraged every day for the role they play in this life, society, and the church. My grandmother used to say, “Anyone can have a child, but it takes a special man to be a father.” I agree wholeheartedly.
Continue reading “A special man.”Paul first arrived in Ephesus on his second missionary journey (Acts 18). He visited a second time during his third missionary trip (Acts 19) which proved to be a tumultuous time for the church. People were baptized, silversmiths were infuriated, and a riot even broke out. Paul’s relationship with Ephesus was interesting, to say the least.
Continue reading “An introduction to Ephesians.”
Central Haywood Church of Christ 