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I picked up a copy of a national newspaper last week, as I do now and then, to fill in the gaps in the news that television coverage leaves. As I read through the articles I thought of the Sunday School class I was about to teach. The class was all about greatness ? how our culture sees it, and how God sees it.

The articles were about people who were being lauded as great ? a man who conducts seminars on how to become a millionaire overnight, another whose company makes "the Porsche of snowboards," and movie stars who, when they decide it's time for a vacation, buy themselves a tropical island.

I pulled all of these articles out and handed them around to my junior high class on Sunday. The boys liked the one about the snowboards. We talked about why these people were considered worthy of having their names, and faces, in the paper. What had they done that was so great?

Read more: Truly Great

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When your children or grandchildren play sports, you become an avid sports fan, believe me! We have four grandchildren playing sports - football, basketball, and soccer. Right now, it's soccer season, and with three playing, we will be kept busy.

Last night, I had the pleasure of seeing our only granddaughter, a ninth grader, play for her school on the Varsity Girls team. This is her second year to play for the school. Up until then, she played for the City League. Well, last night sure wasn't a pleasurable game, although it was a joy to watch her play! They lost the game in sudden death - the other team scored their 10th point at the beginning of the second half without our girls making a point. In fact, they could hardly get it over the center line! But, it wasn't because they didn't play hard, or put their all in it! They chased that other team, which surely outranked our girls in experience and expertise (they were definitely Varsity!), because our team . . .

Read more: All In How You Play The Game

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What kind of handshake do you have, is it one that is firm but brief in duration, is it soft but hangs on, do your eyes meet their eyes, do they shake your hand or just hold it, do men and women have different kinds of handshakes? Seems like a bunch of silly questions, but when you meet a person for the first time what is it you do almost automatically?you extend your hand to them. For our culture it is the first point of connection and one that conveys more information than we realize. Just withhold your hand next time you meet someone to see the significance of that. Really what we are talking about is how we leave an impression on people, whether we wanted to or not.

In today's sermon Paul speaks at length about the impression that the Christians of Thessalonika had upon he and Timothy and Silas. He also speaks about the impression he hopes that these three have had upon the Thessalonians. The kind of impression you make upon a person comes from many things, . . .

Read more: Can You Trust It?

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"Clean is clean"--depending on who's speaking!  If it's my sons claiming they've "cleaned" their rooms, clean is NOT clean in MOM'S eyes...and when they hung him on the cross, he was not clean either.  He was a thief condemned to die--but not for long.  For during those excruciating hours, he recognized Someone hanging next to Him who in a split second of time would forever change his sentence--not man's but God's.  Men still saw him as the dirty thief; Jesus saw him as a clean child of God.  That's grace, God's amazing grace!

And it avails for you today.  For the second you confessed to your Lord, you were forgiven.  The second you accepted, you were received.  Give no thought to the tempter's taunts.  He's a "liar, the father of lies and the truth is not in him."
Your past is forgiven, forgotten and forever washed away.  You're cleansed and declared righteous according to heaven's records.  You are . . .

Read more: Clean Is Clean!

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Until a few weeks ago my husband's 91 year-old mother was able, with help, to still live at home. That all changed when she fell getting out of bed.

There were no broken bones, but she had a severely sprained ankle. In addition she developed an upper respiratory and urinary tract infection. Alzheimer's disease has also taken its toll on her. After a week in the hospital the doctor transferred her to the rehab wing at St. Elizabeth's Place. If it is determined, following therapy, that she can no longer live safely alone, the long-term care unit at this very nice facility will become her home.

We are very pleased with the service she is receiving and there is a look of contentment on her face, but almost daily we are faced with the question, "When can I go home?" More than likely at age 91 and in declining . . .

Read more: Long Term Care

  1. Lent and Fasting
  2. Keeping Up With the Joneses?
  3. At The Foot Of The Cross
  4. Thessalonian Evidence

Subcategories

The Spur Article Count:  92

Marcia Laycock is a pastor's wife and freelance writer living in Alberta Canada.  Her devotional book The Spur of the Moment has been endorsed by Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and others.  To order, and to view more of Marcia's writing, see her web site - www.vinemarc.com

Wonders of Creation Article Count:  37

Written By Richard Gunther.

Harris Dvores Article Count:  1

Harris Dvores is a corporate lawyer in Orlando, Florida. But only from 9 to 5. For more than 20 years, he has pursued his passion to create: everything from Christian music and church skits, to Star Trek scripts and board games. His new website, www.harrisdvores.com, is a playground for the mind and spirit. A Jewish believer, Harris has been given truly amazing stories to share about the power of God.

Rev. Spence Laycock Article Count:  49

Rev. Spence Laycock pastors at Church of the Open Bible, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada.

Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis Article Count:  2

Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis is the interim pastor at Somerset Bible Chapel, Manitoba, Canada.

Diane Davis Article Count:  1

Diane Davis, a former policewoman in Toronto, recently retired from a lengthy career as a civilian member of the Ontario Provincial Police.  Amongst many things, she is now turning her attention to writing, music, and her 5 grandchildren.  She is also Pastor Tim's mom.

Melva's Devotions Article Count:  48

Blog Writings by Melva Cooper.

Melva Cooper is a wife, mother and grandmother from Jonesboro, Arkansas. God has given her, in her retirement years, the ministry of writing for HIM. "Even in old age, you will still produce fruit" is a verse He has given her (Psalm 92:14). And it is her desire to serve Him all the days of her life.

Barb's Mantle Article Count:  59

Barbara, a Christian homemaker, began her Web Site through encouragement from her son, and a dream. It quickly became a ministry for the Lord. She began writing devotionals to encourage, inspire, and build up spiritually those coming to her site.  Barbara is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.

Sandra Boyte Article Count:  10

Writing poetry that brings glory to God is Sandra's passion.  No matter where she has lived, or what she has gone through, she has found that God is always there before her to lead her in His paths and to catch her when she falls.  Married, with two sons two granddaughters on the way, Sandra's future goals include writing more poetry trying her hand at writing short devotionals for children.

Dr. Harold McNabb Article Count:  98

Dr. Harold McNabb pastors at Westshore Presbyterian Church in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Peggie's Den Article Count:  77

"Ever feel as though life is a lions' den and like Daniel, you're right in the middle of it all? Enjoy these "Devotions from the Den" (Lions 'n Life at Peggie's Place) and delight in God's promises of love, joy and peace for whatever is happening in YOUR den today!"

Misc Article Count:  77

Miscellaneous archived items.

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