• Judge or Advocate?

  Picture this scene: A courtroom somewhere in America. The air is alive with tension as the defendant, who is guilty as sin, stands before the Judge for his verdict. Without hesitating, the judge says, "Not guilty," slamming his gavel down with a boom. The defendant leaps for joy and says, "I KNEW I was going to get off!!" Doesn't really present a pretty picture, does it? Or does it.....

• The Spirit of Our Worship

  You are a Christian. You're active in church, playing a leadership role. You teach Sunday School, and work on one of the church's committees. Or you help with the youth group. Perhaps, in your spare time, you write lyrics for a Christian musical group. You actively tithe, giving more than ten percent to the church and to other ministries. You volunteer your time to a local ministry a few hours a week. You talk about the Lord a lot, telling everyone you can about Him. You are the epitome of what

• The Reason for the Season

  As we near the time of Christmas, we see the decorations going up. the people madly shopping for gifts. the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Now is the time to stop and reflect just why we really celebrate this time.

• Seeking His True Meaning

  The sixth of the Ten Commandments is rendered like this in the King James Version of the Bible: "Thou shalt not kill." However, in modern translations, we find that verse to read, "You shall not murder." Does this mean the modern translators have changed God's Word?

• Being Blessed

  "Blessed" means more than happiness. Happiness is fleeting. It is controlled by circumstances. Blessedness is unaffected by circumstance. Happiness comes from laughter, pleasure, earthly prosperity. Blessedness comes from God. Happiness can drive you crazy seeking it. Blessedness brings you peace and hope and joy. Happiness lasts only briefly. Blessedness is eternal.