Sound Words
Weekly Bulletin Articles
SOUND WORDS, FEB. 1, 2026
RELIGION OF THE HEART Christianity is a religion of the heart. This does not mean that Christianity is without commands, laws, or divine expectations. What does it mean? It means that it is up to the individual to practice it personally. That is, no one, other than the individual, is going to enforce it. In Hebrews 8:10, we read, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I…
SOUND WORDS, JAN, 18, 2025
A LIVING, TRANSFORMING HOPE It is reported that several years ago researchers did a study to determine the effect hope has on those undergoing hardship. Two sets of laboratory rats were placed in separate tubs of water from which they could not escape unaided. The researchers left one set in the water and found that within an hour the exhausted rats all drowned. The other rats were periodically lifted out of the water and then returned. These animals swam for…
SOUND WORDS, JAN. 4, 2026
PERSONAL DISCIPLINE In view of the corruption that was in the city of Corinth, Paul instructs Christians to discipline their lives (1 Cor. 9:24-27). Personal discipline is one of life’s most difficult problems—it is one of my difficult problems, and it is one that also belongs to you. Yet, it is essential if we are to please the Lord and save our souls. To do so, Paul selects the metaphor of running a race, similar to our Olympic races. According…
SOUND WORDS, DEC. 28, 2025
DO YOU HAVE A SECRET LIFE HIDDEN FROM OTHERS? Isn’t it remarkable how the use of smart phones has changed news reporting? It seems that whenever there is a crisis, someone takes their phone and starts videoing. When it is placed on social media, it can almost immediately go viral. Secrets are revealed which just a few years ago would be hidden. The same is true of those times when microphones of politicians are accidently left open, and we hear…
SOUND WORDS, DEC. 21, 2025
BUILDING AN ETERNAL HOME Just as a man might build a house in which he and his family can live, so too, each one of us is building a life. In fact, the Bible uses the analogy of a house in order to help each one of us better understand how we might build a life that we can be proud of, and one which will weather storms of trial and even the eternal judgment. Jesus famously used the analogy…
SOUND WORDS, DEC. 14, 2025
DO YOU LOVE YOUR FRIENDS? Do you have any denominational, generally religious, or even atheistic friends, neighbors, and/or family members? How much do you love them? No, I mean, how much do you really love them? Do you really love them – so much so that you would be willing to risk or to do almost anything in order to see them spend eternity in heaven with you? (You know, like the old love songs’ lyrics would claim about “climbing the highest mountain” and/or…
SOUND WORDS, DEC. 7, 2025
EVEN ON A DESERT ISLAND THE TRUTH IS SIMPLE Sometimes great truths can be taught by using the most simple thoughts. This is why both Old Testament prophets and even Jesus employed objects and stories to illustrate great truths. The following story is far from being equal with those, but perhaps it will help us understand the truth about the church Jesus built and the religious division in our world. Imagine a man, isolated on a deserted island, who finds…
SOUND WORDS, NOV. 30, 2025
GIVING THANKS FOR OTHERS EVEN WHEN THEY HAVE MANY FLAWS In this time of the year, many people are counting their many blessings and giving thanks to God. We may give thanks for the many physical blessings that God has blessed us with (e.g. food, shelter, financial income, etc.). We may give thanks for the many spiritual blessings that God has blessed us with (e.g. salvation, the scriptures, hope, peace, grace, etc.). We may give thanks on behalf of others…