“Remember Your Roots”

What Do You Remember?

But as for you,

continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of,

because you know those from whom you learned it,

and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:14-15

“Children don’t get anything out of church.” Really? We don’t know what kids may pick up on and remember when they’re adults.

It’s true I can’t recall any of the sermons or anthems I heard as a child. But forty-plus years later, I remember that as a little boy, I enjoyed Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring as the organ prelude. That song always connected me to God. 

What childhood memories do you have about God?

“Love Costs Everything”

An Eye-Opening Documentary

200,000,000 people. That’s how many fear for their lives daily because they follow Christ. They face persecution because they live and love as Jesus taught.

How much is 200 million? If all Christians facing violence and death lived in one place, it would rank as the sixth most populous country in the world. Those persecuted for their faith would fill a country between the size of Brazil (202 million) and Pakistan (196 million).

Love Costs Every Thing is a documentary on global Christian persecution produced by Christ In Youth in association with Voice of the Martyrs. Disciples in places like Iraq, India, and Columbia testify about being beaten or family being murdered. Yet despite horrific pain and loss, the persecuted respond with forgiveness and love for their persecutors.

Sunday night my church’s youth showed this film. They shared their hearts by organizing and leading this event. Afterward we prayed in our seats and at stations around the church.

“When God Must Fill Your Mouth”

Speaker’s Block

Last week what I wrote didn’t sound right, so I deleted it rather than post it.

The same principle applies to spoken words. Too often a comment runs from my brain to my tongue before the filter kicks in. Not everything I really want to say should be uttered.

The opposite problem occurs. I stare at an empty screen, fingers frozen on the keyboard. Or I’m dying to think of a good response, but my mental search engine responds, “No results found.”

But when it counts, God will fill your mouth. He did for me.

“Is Your Knot Secure?”

Love At Its Strongest

They literally tied the knot.

On Saturday in Wrightsville Beach, NC, I officiated a wedding for two friends whose families mean a lot to me.

To symbolize the unity of their relationship, the bride and groom could have lit a unity candle or poured together colored sand. Instead, they tied a sailor’s knot.

After Josh and Catherine exchanged rings, their mothers brought up a strand of rope to represent each family. The happy couple tied the two ropes as I read the following:

“The Grumpy Roommate”

My September 8 post at Christian Devotions

On Monday, Christian Devotions published one of my stories. God taught me a valuable lesson when I was new to pastoral ministry. For those who didn’t see it, my devotion will double as this week’s blog post.

If you aren’t yet a subscriber, I encourage you to receive daily inspiration from them at www.christiandevotions.us. A recent major malfunction crashed their old site, but their new site should be up and running soon. Meanwhile, their temporary site doesn’t offer a sign up box. To subscribe, please contact Cindy K. Sproles, the executive editor, at cindyksproles@gmail.com.

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. I Samuel 16:7 NIV 

I braced myself and entered the room at the nursing home. (read more at http://christiandevotions.us/the-grumpy-roommate-david-brannock/)

David

“Under the Fig Tree”

Jesus’ Unusual Response

When they first met, Jesus said Nathanael was a man of integrity. “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.”

The disciple asked, “How do you know me?” 

Jesus replied, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you” (John 1:47-48).

What’s the big deal about Jesus seeing Nathanael under the fig tree?