Focus on Eternity

         Are we honestly taking this message to heart?  “The handwriting is on the wall” is an idiom that many understand to mean that all signs point to the truth that something dreadful is going to happen in the future.  But how many actually pay attention to where this phrase came from or how strongly they believe it?  We are living in a time of great uncertainty.  A quick walk through any social media site gives us clues to how our world is thinking.  What is mans' solution to the current predicament?  Humanity seems to hold the opinion that we are capable of solving all the issues that trouble us.  However, God’s Word reveals that it is not humanity that will rescue humankind from the imminent danger that lies ahead.      God sent the angel, Gabriel, to explain dreams and visions to Daniel that greatly trouble him.  Here is the truth found in Daniel 8:23-25. “...

           I have not published an article in a few weeks.   It is not for lack of trying, but something in my heart indicated it was time to work a little more on research.   I hope the time spent away from writing helps bring clarity to my message.   Today I hope to encourage you to learn the language of Lament if you have not already done so.   Lament is not a topic that I’ve given much thought.   During our time of social distancing, we talked about this topic a bit, but apparently, I was not ready for the lesson.   While re-reading the book of Lamentations, more profound thoughts began to materialize.   At first, I mindlessly read Lamentations chapters 1 and 2.   I failed to recognize the depth of misery felt by the Israelites as I found myself thinking, “Look, you’ve gotten what you deserved.”   This self-righteous attitude formed as I felt confident that God had given the Israelites ample warning...

      I sit down each morning with ambition on writing a scene or two in a fictional story I am creating.   I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the characters, their personalities, and what defines them.   I think about the plotline and how I can move the story forward.   But before I begin writing a single word, I make sure that I’ve spent time with the LORD.   One of my go-to verses, written by the apostle Paul in Romans 12:1-2 (ESV), says, “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.   Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God , what is good and acceptable and perfect.   It is a verse I use to help direct my steps.      One year ago, while reading the same passages that I read this morning, I ...

      In my morning Bible study, I became familiar with a new word.   That word is epizeuxis.   If you are having trouble pronouncing that word, this phonetic spelling may help ‘ep uh ZOOX sis.’   Try to say that three times quickly!  Have you come across that word before?   It is a literary device used to emphasize a word or a phrase by repetition.    By repeating it multiple times, we can learn that it is something to be highly valued.   If you are familiar with the well-known preacher, Andy Stanley, you may have noticed that this is a technique that he uses in most, if not all, of his sermons.   In the movie, Forrest Gump, Bubba repeats all the things he can create from shrimp,   “Bubba : Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. ... There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, s...