Focus on Faith

“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgement...” -Hebrews 9:27 In Rapid City, South Dakota, a thief was arrested. In his billfold they found written on a sheet of paper the following code: 1) I will not kill anyone unless I have to.

Standing at the portal of a new year can be intimidating; especially if the past one has been painful. We’re tempted then to expect a repeat performance during the year just arriving. But grieving over disappointing yesterdays robs us of the joyful anticipation of our tomorrows which is a vital ingredient in making the future all it can be. I once wrote a column entitled Things May Turn Out Better Than You Think that was intended to enable troubled people to look past their present problems

I was studying the promises of God and, wow did I come up on some good things to share. There are 250 promises in the New Testament, but some of them are not things we might want! God has promised us salvation, Spirit baptism, life by the Word, protection by angels, soul-winning power, Kingdom of heaven, comfort, earth as an inheritance, filling of righteousness, mercy, a visible God, blessing for persecution, great rewards, forgiveness of sins, necessities of life, answers to all prayers, al

Maybe you heard that the Energizer Bunny reached age 20 a few days ago. The “ever-going” hare was featured in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and when all other units ground to a halt, it was still drumming forward, somewhere around 34th Street. “Somebody stop that rabbit,” a parade official yelled…. There’s a good chance that this advertising icon doesn’t have an “off” switch. Millions of us, across the span of two decades, have borrowed the commercial’s familiar “g

“For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth... “ -John 18:37 Pilate responded to Jesus and said, “What is truth?”. Poor Pilate. Was Pilate jesting with Jesus, was he sincere or just a skeptic? Pilate a man of some learning and power and yet confused about the most basic and essential wuestion of the ages.

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, I pray that you know Him. If you don’t think you actually know Jesus, I’d like to suggest you read the chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in your bible and then some day read Revelations. His Word is alive just like He is, and His Spirit who is within all of us who believe in Him, will guide you and speak to you, and you will never be lonely again.

In her book, Who Am I, God? Marjorie Holmes asks the Lord to look after all who get lost at Christmas. Who are these lost ones about whom Holmes is so concerned? Little folks lost in stores running about in panic crying for their mothers and big folks lost in the confusion of crowded parties and crowded lives, with drugs, drink and sex as mistaken goals. She also prays for husbands and wives lost to each other through habit and neglect and misunderstanding as well as sons and daughters lost

We’re decking the halls and hanging the balls and greeting our family and friends. Let’s all share some holiday cheer before the old year ends. We hope this year’s been good for you, and things have been just great. Can you believe it’s almost here -- the end of Two Thousand Eight? So what shall we talk about this year?

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." (the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues.) I remember as a child growing up that I just couldn't wait until Christmas to open up at least one of my gifts under the tree.

Blanco County's traditional Living Nativity Christmas pageant set a new attendance record this month -- 1,381 people -- the most in it's almost 50-year history at the First United Methodist Church in Johnson City. Guest-guides Dick and Janet Wiemers said it meant full bleachers at many shows, and occasionally standing room only, but they managed to get the cars parked and visitors squeezed in for all 20 performances. Show chairman Dale Hardy attributed the boost to the good weather and the sp