Posts by Christian Worker
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…
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…
From the Director’s desk (October 2023) – Trent Kennedy
There are modern expectations placed upon preachers that our first-century brethren never imagined: church bulletins, social media administration, office management, and various programs that prove expedient in local settings. Many of these “side jobs” become areas of strife for the preacher. Some jobs assigned to the preacher could be demeaning because other members of the congregation “have to work” insinuating that the preacher himself does not work. Others may believe that the time he devotes to family or hobby or…
The Way Of The Lord – Joey Davis
The children of Israel found themselves at the doorstep of Canaan as a young nation established by Jehovah God. But their leader who saved them out of the hands of Pharaoh, Moses, would not be allowed to go with them. We find the final address of Moses to God’s people in the book of Deuteronomy. The overarching theme of the book is to remember God and His way so that their relationship will remain intact. The most famous portion of…
Approaching The Throne Of Grace – Bruce Ligon
Prayer is one of the avenues God has prescribed for our worship. As we pray unto Him, we give praise and adoration to Him, we express thanksgiving, we confess our shortcomings and sins, we beg His tender mercies, we present out our requests, and we seek His providential protection. In a psalm that is ascribed to Solomon, the attentive nature of our Father, when we come to Him, is vividly described, “For he delivers the needy when he calls, the…
Still the Most Critical Problem! – Bill Jackson
The question is often asked, “What is the most critical problem facing the church today?” The answers are varied, and often given in keeping with that particular man’s interest and concern, and for all the answers, all of them play a part in today’s time of discontent, unrest, and turmoil. And, when we state that which to us is the MOST critical problem, we know that some may disagree. Still, the answer we would give is this: THE LACK OF…
Hold to His Hand – Clay Bond
We are all familiar with the song “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand.” Considering that we so often hear people say that change is good, the concept of a Being that is unchanging is thought provoking. Sometimes change is desperately needed, but other times change equals betrayal (Ps. 119:59-60; Jer. 2:29-37). The Scriptures encourage us to be faithful on the basis of the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and…
God’s Part And Man’s Part – B.J. Clarke
Does man contribute to his salvation? Does man have any part to play, any role to fulfill, in the salvation process? Does salvation arise from human activity? Some say no. What saith the Scripture? It is imperative to properly define our terms. Webster defines “contribute” as follows: “1: to give a part to a common fund or store b: to play a significant part in bringing about an end or result.” Among the definitions Webster gives for the word “part”…
Has Man Outgrown the Gospel – Allen Webster
Times change. Today’s “new” is tomorrow’s “old,” this morning’s breakthrough is this afternoon’s castaway, this year’s popular is lost in next year’s “latest.” The up-to-date is soon out-of-date. Truth doesn’t change. It reads the same today as yesterday and as it will tomorrow. It is “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Some feel they have outgrown the ancient Gospel. The idea that there is a standard which is absolute is, to them, obsolete. The concepts of sin…
I can Live with your Disapproval – Rick Brumback
I realize that I may have to start doing so simply based upon the title above. It is certainly not meant to be dismissive or cavalier. Nor is it meant to be a disrespectful statement of your relative worth as a fellow human. It is, instead, a considered statement of the value system I embrace and the cost I am willing to bear as I uphold that system. Let me explain. We are to be concerned with the thoughts of…