“And now, what is this?” asks the Lord. “Why are my people enslaved again? Those who rule them shout in exultation. My name is being blasphemed all day long. But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that it is
Author: Gary Combs
The generational effect of keeping the 2nd commandment
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers
Visiting one of our partners
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until
Heading to the mountains
"After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray." (Mark 6:46 NIV) There’s something about climbing up into the mountains that brings a smile to my face. I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in the hills of Southwest Virginia and the mountains remind me of home. Or if it’s because
Kurzweil’s singularity and life beyond death
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (Romans 7:24 NIV) Ray Kurzweil intends to live forever. He is attempting to travel across a boundary in time that he calls the “singularity.” By anyone’s definition, Ray Kurzweil is a genius. At the age of 13 he turned some
Book recommendation: Who Stole My Church?
I recently received an advance copy of Gordon MacDonald’s new book, Who Stole My Church? What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21st Century, from Thomas Nelson publishers. I was happy to receive a book from my friend, Gordon MacDonald, but this title surprised me a bit. It certainly seemed
Jesus, baptism, and live colored Easter chicks
“When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. It was a spiritual procedure—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised
Suffering and strawberry milkshakes
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 KJV) On our way to Dr. Johnson’s office in my dad’s big Buick, Dad glanced
Cliff diving and the fear of rejection
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe" (Proverbs 29:25 NIV). Some years ago, when I was young and foolish (or should I say more foolish) I found myself standing on a tall cliff overlooking South Holston Lake with a couple of my best buddies.
Measuring the love in Granny’s biscuits
“And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.” (John 15:13 NLT) When Robin and I first got married I wanted her to learn how to make biscuits like my Granny’s. My Granny’s biscuits were amazing! So thick and fluffy… with a pad of