In today’s bulletin, I want to talk about my beliefs on church activity. Now, let me say right up front that this has drastically changed over the years. There was a time when I believed that a church was failing in its responsibilities if it wasn’t always busy doing something. What we were doing didn’t matter as much as long as the church was doing something. That all changed when I learned the phrase, “Holiness doesn’t equal holiness.” That truth drove me back to the Bible and Jesus as my example. I saw that Jesus was always busy but even then, what he was doing mattered more than simply being busy. He always prioritized people over busyness and if he was interrupted he took the time to see the person and their needs. Just as important, he always took time for himself, rested, and encouraged his disciples to do the same.
Continue reading “Patience, family, and church work.”The letter of Jude and the person are not well known to modern readers of the Bible. Most have no idea who he was or why his unique letter is even considered Scripture. I call his letter unique because of its contents. In the letter Jude refers to a book called “The Assumption of Moses” and one called “The Book of Enoch.” Do not let this cause you to think they are inspired or even worthy of your time to read them. Jude is simply referencing books that were well-known in this time to make a point about faithfulness and the danger of rebelling against God.
Continue reading “Introduction to Jude”Do not forget these words:
You are not who people say you are and not even who you feel you are! You are who God says you are!
Fondly, I remember these words from my grandfather. Sometimes, I long to hear his loving voice telling me, “Jeff, you need to get your want to fixed.” It took countless years to finally hear the love, wisdom, and hope in his words and I am grateful for them. Continue reading “Getting our “want to fixed!””
I was reading in a daily devotional book[i] and I wanted to share the main thoughts with you. It was titled: Risk: Oversold and Underplayed. It challenges a comfortable faith that isn’t willing to risk too much for Jesus. Continue reading “Risk: Oversold and Underplayed.”
How many of us want to experience spiritual victory? How many of us want to have happy and joyful lives? Continue reading “Experiencing Spiritual Victory.”
The supreme purpose of the Christian religion is to make men and women who are like Jesus so that they will act like Jesus. Continue reading “Faith should produce action.”
First, I want to say that I appreciate the effort by the church to provide a meal for the family of Robert Davis. With just a little notice, several came together and hosted a family who was mourning the loss of a loved one. Continue reading “Doing good to all men (Galatians 6:10).”
Being a few days before Christmas, I want us to reflect on the true meaning of the word “Gospel.” Some might be wondering what I am thinking but bear with me and hopefully, it will make sense. Continue reading “What is the gospel: the true message of Jesus and the season.”
Central Haywood Church of Christ 