Hedging a Bet

dice in hand

From late spring through early fall, our family farm is a popular place for gatherings, reunions, campouts, and weekend chillouts.  About 65 years ago, my father built a cabin on the creek running through the property that has served as the centerpiece of these events.  There’s just one problem: it…

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Amazing Grace

letterpress letters spelling the word grace

Grace is defined as the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God; a virtue or excellence of divine origin.  Most older people are surprised by the practice of grace because we have been raised to believe we must earn what we receive.  Many of the younger generation are thought…

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Power House Praise

powerlines

Americans have become so dependent upon electrical power that the thought of an EMP device shutting everything down is devastating.  All our communication systems are completely dependent: phones, computers, internet, TV, etc.  No mode of transportation containing computer chips, no lights, air-conditioning, elevators, refrigerators, microwaves, stoves, nor any home appliances…

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The Call to Arms

womens bible study

The account of Exodus 13:17-18 describes Pharaoh finally conceding to let the Israelites leave Egypt and includes a couple interesting details.  The first is that they did not travel by the shorter route toward the Red Sea, and the second is that they left armed for battle.  God addressed the…

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The God of Things That Are Not What They Seem

creche

The prophet Isaiah described the coming of the Messiah thusly in Isaiah 9:6-7: “For to us a child is born,    to us a son is given,    and the government will be on His shoulders.And He will be called    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the greatness of His government and peace    there will be no end.He will…

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The Kingdom of God Is Here

When we think of the Kingdom of God, do we see ourselves living in it here and now, or is it something far away to be attained?  For the most part, I believe we see the Kingdom of God as very different from our current state of existence, because we…

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Just Add Water

water being poured into a glass

Many years ago, there were TV commercials introducing instant coffee, instant tea, instant gravy, and instant soups.  “Just add water!” was the tagline.  It was such a wonderous thing to have immediate access to foods and beverages that used to take 30 minutes to hours to prepare. On our recent…

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God’s Permissive Will

Whenever we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we are asking that God’s Kingdom manifest in our physical world, and that His will would be carried out exactly the same way that His will is absolute and dominate in Heaven. NOTHING takes place in Heaven that is not His will. This is…

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