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Telling the Story: Trusting when you can’t see
Even when we can’t feel it, God is working. Even when we can’t see it, God has a plan. Those truths are obvious when you look at the X-ray of a child’s tooth. The baby tooth is easy to see, but just above or below it in the X-ray, depending on the location, you can…
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Quit complicating the grace of God
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness…
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Thanks be to God
On Sept. 16, 1620, two ships set sail from Plymouth, England: the Speedwell and the Mayflower. The Speedwell encountered much difficulty as they began their journey, springing many leaks in the ship. So when the two ships went to Port in Plymouth, England, the Speedwell decided to go no further, and 42 passengers from the…
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Telling the Story: Thanksgiving and ‘Thanks-living’
When our pastor, Steve Rice, preached a sermon about “Thanks-living” instead of “Thanks-giving” decades ago, I teased him mercilessly. We were dear friends; it’s what friends do. It was “Happy Thanks-living” this and “Happy Thanks-living” that. (I wasn’t nearly as mature as I am now.) I worked the word “Thanks-living” into every conversation. In his…
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Moody’s dying words
Dwight L. Moody was an evangelist, soul winner, Sunday School organizer and founder of the Moody Bible Institute and the great Moody Church in Chicago. He was an uneducated man, but his life’s purpose was to see what God could do through a man totally surrendered to him. Moody died at the age of 62.…
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‘Our Father Which Art in Heaven’
“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and…
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Telling the Story: Sharing pie and God’s Word
I didn’t want to share my pie. That sounds terrible, but it was blackberry—my very favorite. While Mr. and Mrs. Walker gave it to my beloved for pastor appreciation, I knew it was actually for me because they know it’s my favorite. My beloved doesn’t like the seeds, so it was all mine. It’s one…
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Facing down a mountain lion
Did you know that in the United States, mountain lions are the number one predator of human beings? So says author and naturalist Craig Childs. On one occasion, he was doing research on the lions in Arizona’s Blue Range Wilderness. As he approached a water hole from downwind, he spotted a mountain lion drinking water,…
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God really does love us
“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 24:10-12 Over the summer, like many of you, my wife and I were able to get…
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Telling the Story: The Ball Fork Monster
In the land of the Hatfields and McCoy’s, we have many stories. Some are true, some not. A nearly famous tale told in the mountains of eastern KY at this time of year is of The Ball Fork Monster. There are many versions. This is the one I know. “Blue Eyes” was a likable fellow…