Posts from 2025
From the Director’s Desk (July 2025) – Trent Kennedy
When we examine the ministry of Jesus, we see compassion as it was (and is!) meant to be practiced. The compassion of Jesus is seen the following verses: Matthew 9:35-38, Matthew 14:13-14, Matthew 15:32, Mark 1:41, Luke 7:12-14, Mark 9:22, Matthew 20:34. Jesus came unto his own (John 1:11), being made in flesh and blood (Heb. 2:14). This earthly ministry brought Him into contact with people who were desperate, needy, hurt, handicapped, and misguided. It brought Him to places where…
Gospel Parallels: Heaven and Hell – Dave Rogers
A study by Northwestern University about thirty years ago surveyed the beliefs of 500 denominational ministers and revealed some startling statistics: 59% believed heaven exists; 31% believed hell exists. At the time, roughly 77% of all Americans believed in heaven, but only 58% believed in hell. In a nation once characterized by a fierce fight to obtain freedom for religion, our culture now strives for freedom from religion. Various forces actively seek to eradicate knowledge of God and Christianity, and…
The Remedy For Conflict (Jas. 4:6-10) – Bryce Mayfield
The Book of James has been accurately described as the wisdom literature of the New Testament. Much like the Proverbs of the Old Testament, this book covers a variety of topics, and it is extremely practical for the New Testament Christian. In the context of James 4, we find ourselves right in the middle of conflict. James begins the chapter by asking, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you” (Jas. 4:1, NASB 95)? As he then writes…
The Fruit of Conflict (Jas. 4:4-5) – Josh Walker
Divided affection creates conflict. Compromise becomes comfortable and conviction wanes—peace vanishes, and something atrocious grows. The superior is traded for the inferior, and the sacred is exchanged for the common. What remains is hostility where love once lived and betrayal disguised as balance. The fruit of conflict is rotten. Spiritual Adulterers James does not introduce a foreign concept to his audience. Throughout the Old Testament, prophets used the imagery of adultery to chastise the children of Israel. For example, the…
Wars Without Come From Wars Within (Jas. 4:1-3) – Jordan Moore
In beauty pageants, “world peace” became a stereotypical (and sometimes satirized) answer to questions like, “if you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?” It’s an ideal everyone agrees on and no one really thinks that war is a good thing. Sure, there are people who use wars to their advantage, but everyone in their right mind sees the atrocities of war and rightfully concludes that the world is worse off because of it. So where…
Battle Fatigue
Guadalcanal Disorder, exhaustion, combat fatigue, shell shock; the Army wasn’t sure what to call it but they knew it was a major problem. Over 500,000 US Soldiers were lost due to “psychiatric collapse” during WWII. Men would shake and scream and stare emptily into the distance. Some would cry, some would run, some would wound themselves, some would desert, and some would take their own lives. Eventually an Army neurologist, captain Frederick Hanson, solved the problem. He recognized that a…
Keys to Impact (Matthew 5:13-16)
Christians should make an impact on this earth. Christians should be different, and the world should see it. Christians should act in such a way that people cannot help but notice that we are followers of Jesus Christ. In the words of Jesus, we are “The salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13), and “The light of the world” (Matt. 5:14, NASB 95). But, how…? How can you and I make such a positive impact on this world? Consider some keys…
Jesus Loves You, but Religion Doesn’t
It is a bit rare to see anyone holding a sign at an intersection in Kyle, Texas. So, naturally, when I saw him, he had my attention. He had bright red stripes with black outlines tattooed across his chest, arms, and back, and carried a sign which said, “Jesus loves you, but religion doesn’t.” The message was clear. While most wouldn’t tattoo themselves and walk around holding a sign for hours, there are a good number of people in the…
We Will Overcome (Numbers 13:30-14:9)
After an escape from Egypt and a trip through the wilderness, God’s people had made it to the borders of the promised land. Canaan was promised by God, and it was described as a land flowing with milk and honey. (Exodus 3:17) It truly was a paradise for the people of God, and it was ripe for the taking. This brings us to Numbers 13 and 14. In this text, Moses sends out 12 spies to scout out the land…
Three Things to Remember in Sorrow
Our hearts have been heavy for the last week as we have absorbed the devastation of the Guadalupe River flood. It can be difficult to know what do think or do during such difficult times. My mind went to the prophet Jeremiah, who watched a city burn while men, women, and children were killed or carried away captive. Here are three things he would have us remember in a time such as this. Remember the MERCY of God (Lam. 3:22-24).…
Singing with Understanding
“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” According to Ephesians 5:19, there are two major components to our spiritual singing. First, we are to sing “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” Secondly, we are to sing “with our hearts to the Lord.” To accomplish these, we must sing with an understanding of what we are singing. In this article, let’s consider a hymn we sing so that we might sing it with a better understanding. The hymn “I Have Decided to Follow…
From the Director’s Desk (June 2025) – Trent Kennedy
June is a big month for us. We have completed Camp Hensel, papers have been written, exams have been taken, and sermons have been preached. June 29 is our formal graduation ceremony. Eight students will walk across the stage and move on to new opportunities and challenges in the Kingdom. Five of our graduates have been hired to serve in various ministry roles. Our ladies will take what they have learned and put it into practice right away by teaching…