When my life gets out of balance, I start to have a lot in common with the tomatoes in my family garden. Left to their natural inclinations, these tomatoes flop to the ground in a clump, falling far short of … Read the rest
Throughout his epistles Paul gives us glimpses of the nature of his calling — his job description. He opens most of his letters by identifying himself as an apostle or servant of Jesus Christ, but these are primarily job titles … Read the rest
My church is not an ordinary church. If you’ve never been to a prison chapel to hear the inmates testify and sing about God’s amazing grace, you’re missing something. Many volunteers have told me they came to give but left … Read the rest
“You’ll never manage on your own. Is there someone who can help you after surgery?”
I live alone. These words from a spine surgery veteran stripped away my protective layers of independence and lay bare my deepest fear: What will … Read the rest
I stared in shock and almost stopped leading the song “Nearer, My God, to Thee” as she walked through the door of our little country church. Long, stringy hair hung over her eyes, her slight frame lost in baggy clothes. … Read the rest
The Church of God (Seventh Day) has observed two ordinances since our inception in 1858. We have always baptized new converts by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus. But our observance of the Lord’s Supper service evolved from … Read the rest
Statement of Faith 5
The Church
This we believe:
The church of God in Scripture is a spiritual body of believers who hold the faith of Jesus and keep the commandments of God. Under the lordship of Christ and … Read the rest
I pulled my baking sheet out of the oven and inhaled the sweet scent of chocolate chip cookies. When I bit into a warm one, my tears came — again. These cookies were bound for the male inmates in one … Read the rest
We live in an upside-down world.
Although most of the general population probably would not agree, Christians affirm it wholeheartedly. The Bible, with clarity and certainty, declares this to be true.
“When I am weak,” said the apostle Paul, “then … Read the rest
Let’s face it. When a Christian leader considers their ministry to-do list, it’s the equivalent of swiping through a newsfeed on a smartphone. Barring Jesus’ return, that list is never, ever going to end.
To press the metaphor further, there’s … Read the rest
