Constantinople. It is now known as Istanbul, Turkey, but in its ancient days, it held a lot of political weight in the known world. The city acted as a form of continental gateway as it sat as the geographical crux of Europe and Asia. Its fall was to the infamous Ottoman Empire, but make no …
The writer of this beloved hymn hardly needs an introduction. Fanny Crosby whose actual name was Frances Jane van Alstyne born March 24, 1820, and wrote more than 8,000 hymns. She lived a fascinating 94 years of life, that would be well worth your time to read about. But we are focusing on one hymn …
“If the focus of our testimony is our changed life, we as well as our hearers are bound to be disappointed. Focus instead on Jesus and His grace” ~ Michael S. Horton “Does anybody have a testimony?!” This line used to be a staple inquiry from the pulpit of small to medium sized church settings …
This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes (Psalm 118:23) Though I have all spiritual blessings, they appear to multiply (Ephesians 1:3) No longer constrained by the grip of mortal flesh (Romans 8:6) In this life and continuum, I have unutterable rest (2 Thessalonians 3:16) No height. What depth? I disregard all …
Robert Lowry (1826-1899) was a Philadelphia Baptist preacher and hymn writer. In 1874, he wrote the popular hymn “Christ Arose!” He also arranged the tune. While having devotions one evening, he was impressed with the events associated with Christ’s resurrection when he read Luke 24:6-7. We read in 1 Corinthians 15:4; 13-14, our hope lies …
It is not an uncommon occurrence among many people to be telling a story, and someone feels at liberty to interrupt and interject, only to find out that they did not hear the full story! Sometimes, that interrupter might just be you. It is ok to admit! Most people do this at some point of …
“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light” ~ Hellen Keller In the Church, there is often an astonishing value imposed on community, fellowship, and the like. Rightfully so, may I add. But when do we ever break from the “bigger picture” and focus on the element that …
I was driving back from work a while ago on the same roads I always drive, the same time I usually drive them, and looking at the same scenery I always see. But this time, I noted that in this beautiful field on the right-hand side of my car, there were cows. I had never …
“God’s silences are His answers. If we only take as answers those that are visible to our senses, we are in a very elementary condition of grace.” ~ Oswald Chambers Instant gratification. This word is thrown around a lot. I am not going to pretend that many of you, the reader, do not know what …
Have you ever heard of the Treaty of Tordesillas? If you have, you probably know that it is one of, if not the one, worst land deals of all time between two countries. This treaty also inaugurated the stark cultural differences between Brazil and the rest of South America. In 1494, two years after Christopher …