We all want the church to grow because it means that more people have come to Christ for salvation, which certainly pleases God. We work to see this happen, and so many things can be said about how we should go about it. One factor I’d like to briefly highlight is the impression that outsiders […]
Author: bumchecks
Aim Small, Miss Small
Jordan Spieth has made a name for himself in the world of professional golf. He’s won titles at ‘major’ tour events and several other tournaments. He’s certainly among the ‘elites’ in the field. So, what is the key to his success? He follows this philosophy on the golf course — “Aim small, miss small.” He […]
What Determines Right?
NOT REASON: “For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of preaching (message preached) to save them that believe.” (1 Cor. 1:21). “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, […]
Song Selection For Worship
Song leaders face a difficult challenge in selecting songs for worship services. There are the ‘old standards’ that have been known and loved for many years and there are the newer songs preferred by many of our young people. What I favor is variety among scriptural songs. When we sing only a few songs over […]
Facing Tests
“Peter declared, ‘Even if all fall away, I will not.’ ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus answered, ‘today —- yes tonight — before the rooster crows twice, you yourself will disown me three times.’ But Peter insisted emphatically, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.’ And all the […]
Endurance, the Key to Success
Living in the modern pressure-cooker of the world of today is tough. For many of us life seems to be a long marathon of running from one emergency to another. Everyday there are several major things that each person needs to accomplish. Therefore, many people find themselves hanging dangerously heavy weights of anxiety on very […]
Design and the Designer
The Journal of the American Medical Association give this interesting report: “The hummingbird is the smallest bird on earth – some species weigh no more than a dime. It has the highest rate of metabolism (at rest, about 50 times faster than man’s) and thus must consume enormous amounts of nectar to avoid starvation. Not […]
Before We Criticize . . .
There are times when mistakes are made, and things need to be pointed out. And, unfortunately, we all know that offering criticism can sometimes make a bad situation even worse. Serious thought needs to go into what we will say. Maybe it would help if we would ask the following questions before offering criticism: Why […]
Is It Narrow Minded?
I don’t know about you, but I get a little weary of hearing the word “narrow” used as a slur against preachers who adhere to the Bible in their preaching. Sure they are “narrow,” but so are factory workers, surgeons, druggists, and teachers. The factory worker is so “narrow” that he uses micrometers and measures […]
Whatever Became of Hell?
My memories of the church during my childhood are vivid. Even now as old as I am, I recall several sermons and hearing powerful preaching by N.B. Hardeman and many others. Such powerful preaching included topics such as what to do to be saved, to stay saved, to be faithful, how to go to Heaven, […]