Articles
A Morning Prayer
A Morning Prayer
Good morning my heavenly Father,
Thank you for the peaceful night’s rest.
Be with me this coming day.
I pray that I’ll give you my best.
I’m thankful for your daily blessings.
I’m grateful for being in your care.
May you continue to bless me indeed,
That with others, these blessings will share.
We are now concerned for our loved ones.
With the virus that is going around.
Protect us through this pandemic.
Even in this, there are blessing to be found.
So as we start our this new day.
May we consider our spiritual health.
May we do everything to be right with God.
For in this, is our eternal wealth.
(By Steve Melton, March 28, 2020)
On Discipline
“If you didn’t mow the lawn, you didn’t get your allowance. If you told a lie, you got grounded for a week. If you weren’t a team player, you sat on the bench. It’s called discipline. And it’s not only an important part of growing up, it’s an important part of your entire life. Discipline teaches us to respect authority as well as command it. It’s love in its purest form. And it gives us the mettle to make tough decisions in just about every situation. Discipline is why military personnel and athletes become so successful in business. Nobody likes to be disciplined. But it’s something you learn to appreciate when you realize the positive effect it has on your life.” (Bill Daniels)
On Values
“People say these are different times requiring new rules, but I wonder if that is true. There are new challenges, to be sure, but I view values as a stable force, not something to be swayed by politics, technology, or any modern contrivance. Rather than bend our values to fit the times, we need to fit the times to our values.” (Gretchen Carlson)
On the News Media
Thomas Jefferson was a great believer in the people. He wanted them to watch out for lies that were passed off as truth in newspapers. “Advertisements sometimes contain the only truth that can be relied on in a newspaper. The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.”
A Moments Wisdom
- Never forget who helped you while everyone else was making excuses.
- When I am asked, “What is more important: reading the Bible or praying?” I respond, “Which is more important: breathing in or breathing out?” (Charles Spurgeon)
- Choices made in anger cannot be undone.
- Grandma used to say, “You can’t shack up with the Devil and expect God to pay the rent.” Grandma was right.
- Judas had the best preacher, best leader, best counselor, and best advisor; and yet, he failed. The problem is not the preacher, the elders, the members, or the church building. If your heart does not transform and your character does not change, you will always be unhappy wherever you go for worship.
- You are free to choose, but you will never be free from the consequences of your choice.
- “Always preach in such a way that if the people listening do not come to hate their sins, they will instead hate you.” (Martin Luther)
- It is hard to get in shape spiritually if you only work out on Sunday.
- The biggest problem most people have with communication is that they don’t listen to understand; they listen to reply.
- Excuses come to those who look for them; results come to those who work for them.
- He who flees temptation should not leave a forwarding address.
- I will not permit anyone to do me the injury of making me hate him.
- God never intended for us to "pat ourselves on the back"-- otherwise he would have connected our arms differently.
- An uplifted nose keeps one from seeing where he's going.
- Pride is a fine asset to have, as long as it helps you keep your chin up, instead of your nose.
- Some people are so proud of themselves they can strut sitting down.
- Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech.
- "It's better to 'sleep on it' beforehand than to lie awake afterwards."
- Righteousness is not just the absence of sin--it's the presence of right-doing.
- Strength that is found in confidence can be lost in conceit.
- Your companions are like buttons on the elevator. They will either take you up or they will take you down.
- Quite often when a man thinks his mind is getting broader, it's only his conscience stretching.
- Think of how you would others to be, then start being that yourself.
- A man of character finds a special attractiveness in difficulty, since it is only by coming to grips with difficulty that he can realize his potential.
- Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without washing away his foundation.
- A common enemy does not a true friendship make.
- Be the kind of person you needed when you were young.
- One who tries to dodge his responsibilities usually finds the detour rougher than the road.
- Our history gives more insight into our future than our good intentions.
Upcoming Sermons
3/29/20 AM - The Bible’s Big Words
PM - Moment by Moment
4/5/20 AM - Fighting Fear and Failure Full Force
PM - God’s Purpose for Planet Earth
4/12/20 AM - Who Wants You to be Baptized?
PM - Encouragement: Manna & Medicine to the Weak and Weary #1
4/19/20 AM - The Apostles Ran -- Once
PM - Encouragement: Manna & Medicine to the Weak and Weary #2
4/26/20 AM - Children of Light
PM - Chasing Scapegoats
