INTRODUCTION: Love is the basic law of the Christian religion. It is the principle of all sound and acceptable conduct. It is, in the words of Paul, the greatest motivating influence known to man. 1 Cor. 13:13. When the lawyer sought to put Jesus to the test by asking Him a question, Jesus replied by […]
Author: bumchecks
The Sinner’s Prayer
Asking how to be saved is one of the most important questions one can ask in his or her life. The proper answer to that question can bring forgiveness, release of guilt from one’s conscience and makes one a child of God. The sins one commits before becoming a Christian are against God therefore, He […]
“Be Wise About Parenting”
Proverbs 22:6, 15; 29:15 Allow me to begin with a short poem by Michael Hodgin: Child-raising theories did abound, before my children were around. Then one day I had my own, now all those theories I disown. Energy was once my friend, now I am at my strength’s end. Fortune gone, the fridge is […]
“The Ground is Level at the Foot of the Cross” John 12:32; Galatians 6:14
“The ground is level at the foot of the cross.” The quote has been attributed to a famous denominational preacher. A search for its origin revealed several sermons and articles, including strong words against it. What does the metaphor communicate? The statement does not speak to the terrain of Calvary’s hill. Instead, it communicates equal […]
The Power of Faith
When a young shepherd boy bent down and picked up five smooth stones from a flowing brook the history of a nation changed, and a great warrior and king was born. The story is legendary. Every leader, teacher, salesman, soldier and athlete, Christian and non-Christian, knows of it and is inspired by it, the story […]
WHY CHURCHES WON’T GROW
This is loaded question that has seen much ink spilled (or keypads struck) attempting to answer. The church is stuck in the past; too slow to navigate the ever-changing cultural landscape; too racist or scandal plagued; too institutional; too conservative; too progressive; their worship is out-of-touch; too political; aging out; irrelevant; etc. and etc. All […]
Why I am a Member of the Church of Christ
The late Leroy Brownlow published a book in 1945, Why I Am A Member of the Church of Christ. In just under 200 pages, bro. Brownlow lists and explains twenty five reasons he practices “undenominational” Christianity. The book is available in our church library and would benefit anyone who chose to read it. Here are […]
Camouflage
We are all familiar with camouflage, or ‘camo’ as we like to call it. We most commonly see it when hunters are preparing to hit the field in search of game. But this special clothing was originally perfected by the military. The main idea, of course, is to blend in with your surroundings so that […]
How Is Your Vision?
How is your vision? Jesus observed that . . . Some have envious eyes, longing for the material advantages they see others have (Matthew 20:15). Some have sensual eyes, looking to lust, thereby committing adultery in their hearts (Matthew 5:28-29). Some have critical eyes, looking for specks in others while ignoring obvious problems in themselves […]
Brotherly Love – The Real Test
What kind of people were the Christians of the first century? Were they “super-Christians,” totally dedicated, so devoted to the Lord that they would put twentieth century Christians to shame? We tend to think so. And if we look only at the Christians of Jerusalem before the church was scattered, our conclusions will be well […]