Sound Words (Page 33)

Are We Too Legalistic? Christians are often accused of being “too legalistic.” Legalistic means “adhering excessively to law or formula.” Is there any merit to the accusation? To answer a question such as this we need to first understand authority. The concept of authority is defined by the very existence of and nature of God. Recall Pharaoh’s bold statement, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go?” (Ex 5:2) A battle of wills followed.…

He’s an Evangelist Today begins a new chapter in the history of the congregation meeting here at Tomlinson Run. Paul and Coral are safely settled in their new location and their new work begins today. The same questions linger. Why did he leave? Wasn’t he happy here? Were we not at peace and improving spiritually? Didn’t he love us? Why did he feel compelled to go? I recently was privileged to sit at the feet of our aged brother, Sewell…

It Is Who He Is By Paul R. Blake Generations of Americans grew up with PBS and shows like Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, but the whole network came very close to dying an early death. In 1969, President Richard Nixon proposed halving the funding for the newly formed Corporation for Public Broadcasting, because why should there be such a thing as kids’ programming that isn’t one long barrage of advertisements for toys and snack food? The U.S. Senate…

Getting Along With Others By Kent Heaton “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36). Human relationships are important and one of the key characteristics of how God’s children interact with others. The world does not view dealing with…

Life’s Little Lessons XXV Remembering the Sermon “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him” (John 6:27). Several years ago the British Weekly printed a letter to the editor: “Dear Sir: I notice that ministers seem to set a great deal of importance on their sermons and spend a great deal of time…

Keeping Watch We are not as familiar with the concept of keeping watch as were previous generations. Construction techniques and materials have made our lives more secure. Hi-tech cameras and sensors monitor our country, businesses, homes and even the baby’s crib. Technology has certainly reduced the human effort required but has in no wise eliminated the need for this essential function. We must keep watch against foreign invaders, homegrown terrorists, domestic criminals of all sorts, politicians, a multitude of natural…

Life’s Little Lessons XXIV Three Crosses “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’ But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’…