Christian Resources

Times are changing so rapidly. It was not that long ago that people could safely sleep with the windows open. Now many people have bars on their windows for protection. At one time almost everyone knew his or her neighbors. Now it is as if most people have bars on their hearts too. I can’t help but wonder what has happened. One thought as to what has happened is there has been a change in how children are brought up. In the past mothers raised their children. Now children are placed in daycare at very young ages often times as young as 6 weeks of age. I know that some women must work in order to put food on the table. However, it is possible that many women could stay home and do their God given job instead of neglecting their responsibility of training/ teaching their children. When a child is put into day care, no one ever really takes responsibility for teaching the child proper behavior or moral character. Yes, the child learns his or her ABC’s and other educational stuff, ...

Trees are a marvel of nature. Some stand tall and large, while others are diminutive and short. No two trees are precisely the same; even two oaks will differ. Similarly, people are unique. Even within the same family, two individuals may not share the same reactions or perspectives. Each person possesses distinct strengths and talents, and no single talent surpasses another. Just as no tree species is superior to another, some are simply more suitable for certain environments, while others are out of place. For instance, an oak tree is out of place on a sandy beach, whereas a palm tree thrives there. Both tree types are wonderful, each with their own advantages and limitations, akin to people. The trees that endure the longest are those that flex and sway with the wind, knowing when to bend and when to stand firm. This principle applies to people as well. Those who are inflexible tend to suffer from stress-related ailments and may have shorter lifespans. In contrast, those who discern...

It started out as a normal afternoon for Jennifer. As usual, she had walked over to a neighboring apartment to tutor a boy in reading. After the lesson was over, Gab had asked to play with her son Levi. Therefore, Gab, Alex, and Levi went outside to play. Gab and Alex’s grandfather sat outside to watch them because their mother was busy. Jennifer stood and watched all three boys, but mostly her son, Levi. Levi is big for his age; however, he is only 2 years old. Jennifer saw a car pull into a parking place. She noticed that 2 or 3 children got out of the car. Then she went back to watching the three boys. After a few minutes, it was time for Jennifer to walk back and start cooking supper. Alex and Gab were sad. Alex started following Jennifer and Levi on his scooter. Another boy was outside riding his scooter also. Let’s call him Joe. Joe started trying to play with Alex. Alex’s brother followed after him. Their grandfather followed both of the boys. Joe and Alex decided to ra...

When I was about 6 or 7 years old, I watched Rev. Charles Stanley on television. At that time, my family only had three channels. Many times, I would wake up on Sunday mornings and watch television while eating peanut butter sandwiches or peanut butter and crackers.  Two of the channels only had news on it. The other channel had preaching. Therefore, the preaching was more interesting to me. I have never liked watching news. One memorable Sunday, I was sitting in the recliner eating peanut butter sandwiches while listening to Rev. Charles Stanley. He must have been preaching a sermon about repentance because I remember that he gave an analogy concerning heaven and hell. I do not remember it word for word, but the main idea has stuck with me. According to the analogy, people are on a journey. They can only go two directions. One direction is hell. The other direction is heaven. When you are born, you start out facing the direction of hell because of Adam’s sin. When you get ol...

My great-grandpa Berry did many things in his lifetime. Such as being a son, a husband, and a father. Berry served in the army. In addition, he worked as a farmer, sales representative, and a night watchman. In addition, he worked to start a church. Berry and his family went to church. He went to the same church for more than 60 years. He married a lady and they were married for over 60 years. He was sick off and on much of his life. He was a good bench warmer all of these years, but he was not saved. Outside of the church is where he showed his true colors. Some of the other things he did included making, selling, and drinking white lighting. White lighting is a type of illegal whiskey.  Later, he moved up to taking and selling drugs. He even injected the needle that over dosed his neighbor. This neighbor died from the over dose. By being a hypocrite, he hindered his family and community. Everyone knew that he was at church every time the doors were open. They also knew wh...

മലയാളം: Red rose (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Mother’s Day is filled with mixed feelings for women as well as men. Contrary to popular belief, men also get emotional on Mother’s Day. Some have lost their mothers. Others do not know who their mother is. Some love their mothers, while others hate their mother.  Many of the women that I know feel abandon, abused, and neglected by their mothers. All of these things can affect the way you feel about Mother’s Day. For those of you being abused, if possible get away from the abuse. This will help now. For the other bad things, the help comes from forgiving them. Hating your mother is a nature feeling. However, this feeling will eat and eat at you. Yes, I said, “You”. What and how you feel is not transferred to your mother. It only affects you.  You may ask, “How do you know this?”  I lived with an abusive mother for many years. On Mother’s Day, she was doing things that made her happy. She did not care how I fel...

There is a fine line between providing for your family and coveting money. Bible says, “… If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel” (1 Timothy 5:8). However, it also says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10). Yes, we all need food, clothing, transportation, and housing. However, do you need a brand new car every couple of years? Is it necessary to have the latest fashions? Is a mansion any better at keeping out the elements? There is nothing wrong with nice things. However, it is wrong to work all the time in order to acquire those things at the expense of your relationship with God and your family. Often times people work so hard to acquire the “good life” that they never get a chance to enjoy or live the life that they have. Before you buy the ...

Ants (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) I have often read my Bible aloud with my son in the same room. I have been doing this since he was born. Now, I am wondering if he understood more than I thought. He has started going outside to look at ants. The Bible says, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:” (Proverbs 6:6). Everyday he walks around and observes the ants. He does not touch the ants. He normally hands me a stick, and ask me to poke the ant bed so that he can see the ants run around rebuilding their home. Apparently, he took the words go to the ant to heart. However, I do not think just looking at the ants was the original idea. I believe that the original idea was to help people learn to work hard to provide for yourself and your family. Time will tell what my son is learning from watching the ants. Related articles How long will you slumber, O sluggard? It is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it (bummyla.wordpress.com)

My grandparents loved to go to the coast. This was in the mid 60’s. They went to the coast about every two weeks during the summer and fall. Grandma liked to look for shells, and Grandpa liked to fish. While Grandpa fished, Grandma would walk up and down the shore looking for special shells. One day she was blessed and very happy. She found a lovely big shell. This shell was not broken. It is about 10 inches long and about 5 inches in diameter. She took the shell home and placed it beside the heater in the living room. At night, she would use it to keep the bedroom door open. Everyone who saw the shell wanted to it. Many people offered her money. She would not sell it. I saw it many times and loved it. Years later, I had a daughter. When she saw it, she also loved it. I had always told my grandma, “When you die, I want the shell.” After my Grandparent’s 60th wedding anniversary, my daughter, Janie, and I were visiting them. She asked, “Janie, do you want the shell?” Janie said, “...

Nerodia rhombifer, Animal courtesy of Austin Reptile Service. Photographer: LA Dawson (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) My family lived in a Ranch style house that was in the middle of a bid field.  On the ranch were many ponds to water the horses and cattle. There was a large pond in front of our house. We had a long cement porch that reached around the whole house. The bad part about this house was there were three large rooms, but you had to go outside to get to the next room. I am 6 or 7 years old. One day my mother, my 10-year-old brother, and I were in the living room. I wanted something to drink.  I had to go outside and down towards the pond to get to the kitchen. Right there on the porch was a 5 or 6-foot diamondback rattler. The snake was hissing at me. I started yelling. My mother and brother run out to see what was wrong. They see that the snake is way to close to me and it seemed to be charming me. My mother comes up behind me and Paul, my brother, goes around t...

Poison-oak (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) When I was about 2 or 3 years old, my daddy, Marcus, worked for a seismograph company. He was the head leader. Therefore, his job was to cut the trail. We went to church 4 times a week because daddy was in training to be a preacher. While cutting the trail, Marcus would come across many bad things. He had a machete that helped. Daddy wore long sleeves, long pants, and boots. All of this helped to protect him. Marcus had a wife and two babies at home. He needed to work and this job paid top dollar at this time. However, Marcus was allergic to poison ivy and poison oak . The trails were covered with both. Marcus would come home covered in a rash. Only his eyes did not get any poison ivy or poison oak in them. Marcus would go to church. While there, he would be prayed for. He always prayed for God to clear the rash up. The next time Marcus cut the trail the poison ivy and poison oak rash would return. Marcus was badly tongue-tied. This ma...

This little church sits about halfway up Cedar Valley near Winona, MN. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Grandpa told stories about bloopers that happened inside the church. Here are a couple of them.  1. Announcement Blooper: The pastor was telling what was going on in the coming up week. He said, “A fun outing will be a taffy party. There will be a peter pulling at Brother Candy Smith’s house on Tuesday night.” A man in the back of the church stands up and says, “I don’t know about you, but I will be there.” This man’s nickname is Buck. The pastor was supposed to say, “There will be a candy pulling at Brother Peter Smith’s house on Tuesday night.   2. Revival Blooper: One night in a revival the power of God was falling. Many people were being to stand up. Now this was a new church in the 1960’s. The pews were made of small long slats. All over the church people were standing. On a certain pew a large lady, who was very well dressed and very well to do, was still sitting...

O' The Joy No more weeping No more sorrow Jesus is alive. Alive forever more. The Stone was rolled away. O' What Joy Jesus walked away. Death could not hold him. The stone could not block him. The guards could not stop him. O' The Joy No more weeping No more sorrow Jesus is alive Alive forever more.

Christian cross (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) I recently heard the story of a man that I believe is a wonderful testimony to the grace and love of God. The man has now gone to be with the Lord. Therefore, I am going to tell his story for him. Marvin was a man of 6’4”. He was addicted to cocaine and alcohol. His wife, Annabel, was a Christian. She went to Pastor Roy’s Church. Pastor Roy suggested that she leave her husband because he was abusive to her and the children. She said, “God is going to change him.” Pastor Roy said, “Yeah to the grave. This man is down to 90 pounds. He is nothing but skin and bones.” Annabel just kept praying. One night not long after this conversation, Marvin came to church. He was high on cocaine. However, the power of God still got to him. He went straight to the alter and fell down. He did not get up until he had been filled with the Holy Ghost. He stayed at the church for 3 days and 3 nights. He prayed and was prayed for during his withdrawals f...

The Bible is the best-selling book in America, yet it remains one of the least read. This presents a paradox as one might expect the most popular book to be the most read. It raises the question: why do so many own multiple Bibles but seldom read them? Bibles are ubiquitous, found in hospitals, waiting rooms, nursing homes, and hotels. Many display a large family Bible prominently in their homes. This leads to the query: do people believe that mere possession of a Bible garners favor with God? If so, they may be greatly mistaken. The Bible does not claim that ownership leads to salvation. It states that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone. Thus, it is advisable to become acquainted with Jesus, which involves spending time with Him daily. In doing so, He desires communication and deeper understanding, which can be achieved by reading the Bible. Hence, it is time to move beyond merely showcasing the Bible to actively reading and understanding it.

Bible (Photo credit: Sean MacEntee ) Why do some many Christians look more like the world than a Christian? It seems that Christians think that they can pick and choose what they want from the Bible. Do they not know that the Bible is not a buffet? In order to go to heaven, you must put your trust in Jesus completely. The evidence of your trust in Jesus is walking in his statues. If you come and simply say some words and then pick the parts of the Bible that you like, you will still go to hell.  Example the Bible clearly says that a homosexual lifestyle is wrong. God may allow you to live that way because of your disobedience to him. However, that means you will go to hell. Plain and simple. Revelation 21:8 says, "But people who are cowardly, unfaithful, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will find themselves in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." Another example, the Bible says that being dru...

Image via Wikipedia In this country there seems to be a major debate over gay marriage. I have even heard some Christian support gay marriage. For a non-Christian to support gay marriage is one thing; they do not know any better. However, for a Christian to support it is another. I am horrified that a professing Christian could think to support gay marriage and then try to use Jesus’ teachings to justify the reason for support. God created the woman to be a helpmate for the man. He created her from one of his ribs. Afterwards he commanded them to be fruitful and multiply. It is not possible for a woman married to a woman or a man married to a man to be fruitful and multiple. After Noah and the occupants got off the ark, God issued a similar command. Yes, these examples are from the Old Testament.  However, Jesus quotes from the Old Testament when he says, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them Male and Female, and said, ‘For this cause shal...

When I think about Easter Sunday many scriptures come to mind. Those scriptures are I Corinthians 11:24-26, I Corinthians 15:54-57, I Peter 2:24, John 3:16, and John 20:12-16. All of these scriptures have special meaning to me. The New Covenant was created by the death of Jesus. The elements of the Lord’s supper are only symbolic representations of the bigger picture. Jesus gives everyone the opportunity to be included in the New Covenant. Only Jesus was victorious over death, Hades, and the grave. Therefore, my trust is in him. It is wonderful that God loves me so much that he gave his only begotten son, Jesus. This great love was demonstrated by Jesus dying and three days later being resurrection. In addition, he endured a beating for my healing. I am greatly encouraged by the determination of Mary Magdalene. Despite the discouragement from the other disciples she stayed behind to look for Jesus’ body. Jesus is Victorious On Easter Morning, Jesus rose from the dead. I Corinthians...

It is sad that we are seeing more and more violence in the schools. School should be the safest place for a child. Unfortunately, in today's world it could possibly be the most dangerous place. Parents send their children to school expecting them to learn reading, mathematics, science, social studies, art, music, and P.E. Instead, they are learning how to hide from bullies or run from bullets. They are learning various theories. Many reach high school without learning to read.  I have talked with some teachers. They all agree that teachers should receive hazard pay. Teachers are there to teach. However, more and more they are having to breakup fights. They never know when a student is going to pull a knife or a gun out of their backpack.  I am not one that normally likes to place blame. However, let's consider who is to blame for the shape of  education  in  America . A teacher's  job  is t...

When I was a child, I went to a church that sung songs from a Hymnal. We sung songs like “In the Garden”, Sweet Hour of Prayer”, “Victory in Jesus”, and “I’ll Fly Away”. This songs had special meaning to the people. The songs were always sung with such emotion. The emotion was never sad, yet many times the people had tears in there eyes and a smile on their faces. I loved these songs and would often sang them as I played outside. Sometimes I would swing in the swing. One day while singing “I’ll Fly away”, I closed my eyes while singing and swinging. I could see angels. They were coming from and going to heaven. After that I almost always closed my eyes when swinging. I would try to swing just as high as I could. It seemed that I was flying with the angels. My mom would see me and say don’t swing so high. I would just giggle. I felt safe, warm, and loved. Later I read about Jacob and his dream of the Angels Ascending and Descending from heaven. I believe that those who open their ...

Cover of Stories from the Bible My great-grandma, Pearlie Mae, used to tell us stories. One story she told was about my grandfather, Mark, and something that he did when he was very little.  Pearlie Mae had to take her four children to the field where she worked. Mark had been in Sunday School all of his life. The young children who could not work played at the end of the row.  According to Pearlie Mae, one day Mark found a tree stump and climbed upon it. He then started telling stories from the Bible that he had heard at church. When asked, “Why are you doing this?” He would reply, “Me Preacher, Me Preacher.” Grandma Pearlie Mae told us that Mark did this for years.  When Mark grew up, he became a preacher. This makes me wonder if some children know their calling at a young age. In the Bible, some people were called at a young age.  John the Baptist was called in his mother’s womb. (Luke 1:13; Luke 1:39-45) Joseph was just a teenager when ...

Image via Wikipedia When I was about 5 or 6 years old, I begin to learn about Jesus, heaven, and hell. I was told that Jesus loves me so much that he came and died on the cross for my sins. I learned that 3 days later he came back to life. Later he went to heaven to create a home for everyone who believes in him. In heaven, there is no sickness, pain, or suffering. Someone said that hell is 10 times hotter than Georgia is in the summer time. I had been to Atlanta, Georgia in December and it was hot then. I did not want to go anywhere that it was hotter than Atlanta, Georgia. During this time, I was also very sickly. There were many foods that I could not eat and playing with animals caused me to have an asthma attack. Someone said that there were animals in heaven. Therefore, I got it in my head that I wanted to go to heaven. You have to understand, I was tired of always being sick. I wanted to play with animals. The preacher had said no one is sick in heaven. Therefore, I go...

I want to touch on an issue of division within the Church. I have never understood how two people that are filled with the Holy Spirit can argue about the Bible . I believe that the devil has placed divisions in the church. Even Jesus says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). In addition, Jesus says, “If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand (Mark 3:25). The devil knows that Christians would be stronger if we all stood together. The Bible is true and all scriptures are given by the inspiration of God. In addition Hebrews 6:18 and Titus 1:2 both tell us that God cannot lie. One major issue it what name to baptize the newly won souls. The Bible does not lie nor does it contradict itself. Therefore, any of the phrases that the early disciples said is more than likely a good choice. However, I am one that likes the words in red, Jesus’...