Author: Gary Combs

“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it” (Genesis 4:7 NIV). Watching my nephews (Ryan #12 and Michael in blue) play football earlier this week reminded me

“People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth,

“…encourage the young…” (Titus 2:6 NIV). This past week has been busy for us as we welcomed the Barton College students back! We joined about 60 businesses and nonprofits on Monday as we ran a booth for our church at the Wilson Chamber of Commerce’s “Welcome Back Barton” day. We gave away PopTarts and fridge

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NIV). “Who’s our customer?” asked the consultant from the McKinsey Group to a gathering of top management of the Jack Eckerd Corporation. The year was 1987 and as

“If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me” (John 12:26 Msg). I would do anything to just be around the three men in this photo. From left to right

“…Follow me,” Jesus said to him” (Luke 5:27 NIV). We American Christians love that Christ calls us individually. What we don’t always appreciate is that following Jesus means hanging out with his other disciples. We prefer an individual religion. One that we can follow alone. One that caters to our individual needs. I wonder if Simon Peter ever felt

“If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matthew 5:41 NIV). Recently I attended a conference where Dan Cathey, son of Chick-Fil-A founder, Truett Cathey, was a presenter. I was really impressed with his talk. One of the mantras of the Chick-Fil-A organization is that they want to create “raving

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: … You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first…” (Revelation 2:1, 4-5 NIV). “… one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on

“Taste and see that the Lord is good…”  (Psalm 34:8 NIV). Is seafood good to you? It is to me. I love seafood. I think it’s the best. Some years ago while visiting Rick Warren’s church in California, we found this really good, authentic Italian restaurant at Capistrano Beach named Agostino’s Ristorante.  When we took Stephen

“‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place” (Mark 6:31-32 NIV). According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at