Sound Words

The Christian is an Athlete The Apostle Paul uses several analogies when addressing Timothy, the young evangelist. The first was the Christian as a soldier. The second analogy is that of the athlete. You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good…

The Christian is a Soldier An analogy is like a metaphor or simile in that is shows how two things are similar. An analogy, however, goes on to explain the meaning of the comparison. The Apostle Paul uses several analogies when addressing Timothy, the young evangelist once under Paul’s tutelage. You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful…

Redemption Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery. This heinous crime has worldwide scope. Persons are kidnapped then kept or sold. They are typically coerced into illegal activities for the benefit of the kidnapper. All victims share the desire to escape their desperate situation. Many lose hope because sadly, so few are rescued. Slavery, with its lingering damage, does not only exist in the physical realm. It also remains a spiritual issue. Do you not know that to whom…

Transformation To say that the transformation from sinner to saint is dramatic would be an understatement. It is often likened to the remarkable transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly. That process is one in which a typically unappealing caterpillar, called a larva, wraps itself inside a chrysalis. Once safely inside, the larva dissolves while the imaginal discs, already inside the caterpillar, grow rapidly into a beautiful butterfly. This dramatic metamorphosis appears to be miraculous. However, it plays out innumerable…

Reformation Hebrews chapter nine speaks of the Mosaic law having “ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary” (Hebrews 9:1). The author goes on to describe the function of the priests who entered the tabernacle daily. He also speaks of the function of the high priest who entered the second part of the tabernacle annually with an offering for the people’s sins. Despite the ceremony and sacrifice, the Holy Spirit indicated that the way into the Holiest of All was…

Incarceration Words elicit images in the mind.  Phrases do much the same.  Ever been asked to use one word to describe something?  Words convey information, true, but also at play is our familiarity with the language we hear and/or use.  From our youth, we learned that the heart is where good things live- love and smiles.  In reality the “heart” is the strongest muscle in the human body where our lifeblood pistons through our bodies.  We understand what is meant…

Seasons: Winter To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV). Winter is often the least preferred of all the seasons. However, it is one of the most beneficial. Winter provides a period of rest for the earth. The ground lies fallow and absorbs nutrients from decaying summer growth. It slowly drinks in the melting snows, filtering and storing the fresh waters that sustain life. Birds migrate south while some creatures hibernate to…

SEASONS: Autumn To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV). Harvest marks the end of summer and transition to autumn. Days are a little shorter and the evenings a bit cooler. Sweaters, flannel shirts and hot chocolate are comforts in the long evenings. Bonfires make the perfect social setting. Green fades from the leaves and is replaced with a spectacular display of red, gold, orange and brown. All seasons speak in testimony…