The Etruscans were the first known inhabitants of Italy. They were there before the Romans and had a highly developed civilization. They left no written record, history, poetry, or literature. All that we know of them we have learned from their tombs. Archaeologists can learn a lot from the tombs of people and civilizations that […]
Something Worse Than Sodom? YES!!
I think we all know at least one thing about the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Their story is one of the most well-known and sobering events in the Bible. We very likely know that God destroyed them because of their excessive wickedness by raining fire and brimstone (sulfur) from heaven (Genesis 19.24). We probably […]
Be Happy
“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, […]
“The Fight of a Lifetime”
Joshua 6 – Justin Pannell Personal Story: I joined the military because I wanted to learn to fly airplanes (a reality that ultimately did not occur due to medical reasons) but it occurred to me during Warrior Week in Air Force Basic Training that I could potentially have to fight and that was a sobering reality […]
Does Your Service to God Cost Anything?
When King David sinned by taking an unauthorized census of the people, the prophet Gad brought word from God that a punishment was imminent. Three days of horrible pestilence came upon the nation. To stop the plague David was instructed to make an altar and to offer a sacrifice at the threshingfloor of a man […]
Wednesday Night Services
– At Wednesday night services, the Bible is taught, the word of God Almighty. – Wednesday night services increase our faith as we better understand and appreciate the unsearchable riches of God. – Wednesday night services are a midweek respite from life in a sinful world, a recharge of our spiritual batteries. – Wednesday night […]
Look Unto Realms Above
A principle that is important to the teaching process is stated clearly by John Milton Gregory in his book, The Seven Laws of Teaching. Gregory says: “Since attention follows interest, it is folly to attempt to gain attention without first stimulating interest.” Remembering my high school days in study hall, I must agree with Gregory. […]
Bible-Based Parenting: Don’t Expect Children to Enjoy Discipline!
First, the Bible: “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11). When I was in the fifth grade, I was spanked three times in the same day! My dad told me not […]
What Do Ye More Than Others?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus asked a penetrating question: “If ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?” (Matthew 5:46-47). The immediate context discusses our […]
If It Was Up To You, Would The Church Close Its Doors?
Every year hundreds of new businesses are started here in our community. The Chamber of Commerce gladly reports on these new ventures in an effort to demonstrate that our local economy is healthy and growing. What they don’t report quite so openly is that nearly an equal number of businesses close their doors each year. […]