Stumbling Blocks

Stumbling Blocks

Everybody likes to be encouraged. The feelings that come from being encouraged can often last a lifetime.  It is not uncommon for people who have lived a good long life to happily remember back to an encourager that they knew when they were a child.  Encouragement makes an impact.  It is also looked on very…

From Gethsemane to Golgotha

From Gethsemane to Golgotha

It was late.  According to one researcher, probably well after 11 pm.  Earlier that night, Jesus and the eleven had exited the city, travelled east/northeast over the Kidron Valley, and entered a garden near (or on) the western slope of the Mount of Olives.  “Gethsemane” meant “oil press.”  Probably the “garden” was an olive orchard,…

Goodbye, Death Valley

Goodbye, Death Valley

A wagon train reached the top of a mountain pass, and was prepared to descend into the valley below. One man of the party turned for one last look at the valley they had just left, and waving his hand with a gesture of great relief, cried, “Goodbye Death Valley.” This wagon train was composed…

All Things New

All Things New

The word “new” is a vibrant word and has attractions in many ways. People desire a new car, a new house, or a new wardrobe. Some of the underlying reasons are that “new” represents trouble-free motoring, clean, substantial housing, and moth-free durable clothing. In comparison, the “new life” is trouble-free, clean, and substantial living is…

It is Written

It is Written

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” With this statement, Jesus began his defense against Satan. Jesus accepted the authority of God’s word. This should also be the foundation of our defense. Satan cannot destroy the word of the Lord: if he could…