Prayer Note #239: Healing Among the Thorns

"Lord Jesus, the thorns and thistles of the fallen and troubled life are everywhere I turn my eyes.  Some days that’s all that I can see, all that I can feel.  Their sharp spines tear at me.  They steal all my attention." (For the complete prayer, click the link below.)

Quote of Note #252: Reconciling our Divisions

"The first sin of Adam and Eve separated human beings from God and from one another. Anything that widens that divide is also sin--it contradicts God's will for humans as a community and for each of us individually." J. Perkins (For the complete quote, click the link below.)

Quote of Note #233: Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins

"There is no sin, and there can be no sin on all the earth which the Lord will not forgive to the truly repentant!" F. Dostoevsky (click link below for full quote)

Pastor Note #139: Learning to Live without Chains in Christ’s Victory

Here’s a truth that is very dear to me.  When Jesus went to the cross, he did not merely take my guilt with him.  He took my sin.  He died not merely to gain forgiveness for me but to set me free from the power of sin.  In his resurrection from death, he demonstrated not … Continue reading Pastor Note #139: Learning to Live without Chains in Christ’s Victory

Pastor Note #137: Other People’s Sins & Reading the Bible

When reading the Bible, do you ever find yourself convicted about some sin in your life?  Do you find that the Bible sometimes points out something about the way you’re living that just isn’t right with God?  That’s uncomfortable, isn’t it?  Let me suggest a surefire way to keep that from happening.  Try to always … Continue reading Pastor Note #137: Other People’s Sins & Reading the Bible

Pastor Note #126: A Good Friday Devotional

Introduction:At the very core of his being, our God is a relational God.  Every fiber of God’s nature is biased toward relationship.  We see that in the mystery of the Trinity—one God in three Persons, woven in a profound interrelationship of love, one with the other. We also see this relational nature of our God … Continue reading Pastor Note #126: A Good Friday Devotional

Quote of Note #126: Hardness of Heart

Photo by GAC "A hard heart is a receptacle for Satan. As God has two places he dwells in, heaven and a humble heart, so the devil has two places he dwells in, hell and a hard heart." Thomas Watson, The Doctrine of Repentance. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1987, page 62.

Quote of Note #105: Satan’s Well-Tailored Temptations

"Satan loves to sail with the wind and to suit men's temptations to their conditions and inclination.  If they be in prosperity, he will tempt them to deny God (Prov. 30:9); it they be in adversity, he will tempt them to distrust God; if their knowledge be weak, he will tempt them to have low … Continue reading Quote of Note #105: Satan’s Well-Tailored Temptations

Quote of Note #103: Pride and Sinning with Words

"The mother of all sin is pride.  Those who are being harsh and critical think they are right.  In fact, they are certain they are right.  Fools are filled with pride.  'I don't really care about you and what you think,' the fool tells himself.  'It's my view or no view!'  As Proverbs 18:2 puts … Continue reading Quote of Note #103: Pride and Sinning with Words