I somehow came across a social media post that linked to a rebuttal on behalf of Walter Veith of Amazing Discovery evangelistic ministries against accusations from Adventist Today, a news ministry service. I have been familiar with Walter Veith and his ministry, but less familiar with the work of Adventist Today. I can’t say that either draw any positive or negative emotions out of me. When it comes to news sources, I do follow and … Continue reading →
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)* When we look at this passage we see sixteen specific things that identify what love looks like and what … Continue reading →
This is an outline of the book of Revelation, not original to me, but it represents a Historicist perspective of allowing the prophecy to speak chronologically and in its own context as to the unfolding history of the church. Online Commentaries: David Guzik • John Walvoord • Chuck Smith • Ray Stedman Online Bible: Blue Letter Bible Revelation Study Helps: Symbols in the Bible • Numbers in the Bible I. Introduction A. The chain … Continue reading →
Here are just some of the reasons, other than an anniversary celebration, why couples choose to have a vow renewal ceremony… 1) to reaffirm marriage following a separation, 2) starting anew after troubling relationship times, 3) after the discovery of terminal illness, 4) couples who previously were married by a judge at a courthouse and want an ordained vocational church minister to officiate, 5) couples who have moved to a new resident/location in retirement and wanting to start together in the twilight … Continue reading →
Here is a 22-point sequence of events for an understanding of the post-tribulation rapture or the second coming of Christ… Jesus returns for His church as promised in John 14:1-3 and detailed in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. The saints who have died in Christ will be resurrected. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. This is the first resurrection mentioned by Jesus in John 5:28-29. Then the saints who are alive will be translated from mortality to … Continue reading →
It is often stated that since the church is not mentioned between Revelation 3:22 and Revelation 22:16, it is proof of a pre-tribulation rapture of the church. When ministers and prophecy teachers make mention of there being no church between Revelation 3:22 and Revelation 22:16, they mean that the Greek word “ekklēsia” is not used. In an earlier post titled “Dispensationalism and Historicism in Eschatology” I had reference my study of examining common arguments in … Continue reading →
I like assessment tools that are simple and not crazy complicated just to tell you something that you already know — marriage is going to have conflicts. I am a big believer in the 5 Love Languages, the 1 Corinthians 13 practices, and the assessment tool that I developed below, using the word FORGIVE as a guide to work through in your mind the potential areas of marriage conflict that likely lies ahead. It provides … Continue reading →
It is always a blessing to hear from couples after the wedding, with a word of appreciation or otherwise. A lot of couples message me on their anniversary date, and I do enjoy hearing from them, too. Here is a collection of unsolicited reviews on my officiating services. Please contact me if you wish to share a review or have any questions, too. Bridal Reviews “We very much appreciate your patience, your guidance, and your gentle … Continue reading →
This is Easter week and soon we will be together to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord together through fellowship and communion. Every year during this season I tend to think of a very minute portion of the Easter story that is usually insignificant to most retelling’s of the resurrection day. However, it speaks volumes to the glorious fact that it was because of Jesus’ resurrection that you and I have the forgiveness of our … Continue reading →
I’ve been thinking about the Great Commission as found in Matthew 28:19-20, which says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” We’ll be getting there in our teaching series through the Gospel of Matthew, but … Continue reading →
This morning we awoke to an upgrade of the weather threat, extreme conditions north of us and more moderate here locally, but with the same need to be aware of damaging winds and tornadoes. As I looked at the high warning area that is now a 5/5 zone, it occurred to me that we have family and friends across this same area that extends across all of central Mississippi and into western Alabama. My first … Continue reading →
Organic things go bad. Fruit grows old, vegetables go rotten, and meat will decay. When it comes to organic church groups, the principle is the same. Organic church can go bad, too. I’ve been mauling over this for sometime now and because my blog gets a good deal of traffic on my Simpler Church category posts, I thought the time has arrived for me to make mention of this. I don’t expect every organic church … Continue reading →
Now it is time for Sand Ceremony. The Sand Ceremony actually dates back to Old Testament times when covenants were made between individuals by the blending of salt or sand, with the idea that just as it would be impossible to separate the original grains of sand, once mixed with the other’s, so it would be impossible to undo the covenant agreed upon, together. Each bottle of sand you hold in your hand symbolizes your … Continue reading →
This past Sunday when I mentioned wanting to leave you with a promise for our fellowship as we go into the future, I asked for someone to find and read Matthew 18:16. I wrote that verse on the flip chart, but of course my handwriting says I should have been a physician, so the verse that was read was Mark 18:16, “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall … Continue reading →
