Posts from November 2023
Children of God Without Fault
In Philippians 2:14-15, the Apostle Paul commanded, “Do all things without complaining and disputing…” for the purpose that we “may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom [we] shine as lights in the world…” Therefore, it is not enough to be “children of God.” We must be “without fault”, and this is only true if we are “blameless and harmless.” Surely, when we do so, we will…
From the Director’s desk (November 2023) – Steven Lloyd
We are well into our second quarter of the school year. COVID and the flu have struck our student body and at least half a dozen students have missed school wrestling with their illnesses. Our Director, Trent Kennedy, and his wife, Lisa, and their children, Ella, Troy, Luke and Annie, are in Singapore for ten days. He is slated to speak numerous times in lectureships, Sunday worship services, and camps. The school will take a break, November 22-26. When we…
Shall I Spank My Child? – B.J. Clarke
That all depends upon whom you ask. Joan Lunden says absolutely not. Most child psychologists oppose it. Parents often say, “I love my child too much to ever spank him.” But what does Almighty God, the author of the home, have to say about the subject? Does God think you should spank your child? Yes! At times it is necessary to discipline a child with a spanking. Whereas, it is not the only form of discipline a child should receive,…
The Importance of Context – Rick Brumback
The politician accuses his opponent, “You took my words out of context!” And according to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word “right,” comprised of a brief five letters, has sixty-nine major definitions and numerous sub-meanings. If we should come across this word in a text, which of these myriad meanings are we to assign at that point? Both these examples highlight the significance of what is known as “context”—the setting in which a particular word or statement is found, and…
In Remembrance of Me – Cody Westbrook
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands as one of the most revered places in the United States. It was instituted by the United States Government in 1921 as a symbolic place of burial for those who gave the ultimate wartime sacrifice for the cause of freedom–their lives and their identities. Thousands of Americans visit the Tomb every year to memorialize and show their respect to those who gave all to preserve our way of life. As important as The…
Repentance from a Positive Viewpoint – Wendell Winkler
Repentance has been called “the hardest command”; yet, what wonderful blessings attend the command, “Repent” (Acts 2:38). Yes, and what notable sources we have to motivate us to repent (Rom. 2:4). Jesus had difficulty getting people to repent (Matt. 11:20-22). It is not hard to get a man to believe; in fact, it is far more difficult to overthrow the testimony and evidence that produces faith. It is not hard to get a genuine penitent to consent to baptism. But…
3 Reasons to Thank God
As surprising as it may seem, Psalm 100 is the only psalm in the psalter explicitly identified as “a Psalm of Thanksgiving.” The Psalmist exhorts us “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Ps. 100:4). Such a response to God should not surprise us, and in fact should be “second nature” to His people. Consider three characteristics of our Father which should motivate us to thank Him:…
All Things Without Complaining & Disputing
Philippians 2:14 says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing…” If we were to look at the social media of the Church, we will find that many tend to complain about everything and spend their time arguing. What seems to be a spiritual battlefield, a defending of the faith, is often nothing more than online complaining and disputing. Let’s first consider the danger of complaining. In the New Testament, we are reminded of the people of Israel who “complained” throughout…
Basically a Christian Fundamentalist!
Recently the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, said, “People are curious, what does Mike Johnson think about any issue under the sun? … Well, go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it. That’s my worldview.” A prominent figure in Washington unashamedly holding up Scripture as the exclusive guide for life is a welcome breath of fresh air for those of use who are members of the Church. God instituted and has expectations for civil government (Rom.…