The following is a fiction story to illustrate the futility of a life lived in the pursuit of what our culture says will satisfy. The journey started pleasant enough. It was a beautiful cool day. The sun was shining, birds were chirping and there was a light breeze. It really was a perfect day to … Read more
The cruise ship industry is an estimated 8 billion dollar a year business. Last year alone, millions of individuals made their way on board ships averaging over 1,000 feet long and several stories tall. It’s not surprising that the experience of a cruise is highly coveted. Passengers are greeted warmly by a small crew of … Read more
Ballast is a material that is used to provide stability in many sea vessels. It is usually a heavy substance that is placed in tanks low in the vessel to prevent possible disaster, commonly counteracting the tendency of a tip-over and eventual shipwreck. The lack of proper ballast has been the primary cause of many … Read more
In Luke 14, Jesus is amassing great multitudes who are traveling with Him. Christ, realizing that the vast majority of the supposed “followers” were unqualified and ill-prepared, turns to them to explain that most of their lifestyles were incompatible with following Him. He explains that the cost required to go where he was leading them … Read more
Every Sunday we gather and sing songs to our Lord. If you are anything like the average Christian much of the time you are making noise and on occasion while singing those words you are truly worshipping. Every now and then while singing an often-sung line, something will suddenly hit me differently. It’s as though … Read more
Henry was born into a world beneath the Earth’s surface void of any light. He stumbles around in pitch blackness navigating the underground tunnels entirely by touch, accustomed to collisions and falls from a lack of sight. Having grown up in this subsurface underworld, having no knowledge of surface-dwelling this individual is entirely unaware that … Read more
Envision that you are on a ship clinging tightly to whatever it is that you have on this earth that you treasure the most. Imagine whatever it is that you value so highly slipping out of your grasp only to fall out of reach. You lounge forward in a final futile attempt to catch hold … Read more
I wish I was smarter, and I am willing to bet that you wish you were as well. However, scripture is clear that there is a difference between being intelligent according to this world and being wise in the eyes of God. One leads to righteousness, spiritual maturity, and usefulness in God’s kingdom. The other … Read more
Christmas can be an overwhelming time. Cultural and familial pressures all around us tend to push and pull us in all directions at once. Messages are screamed at us about what to buy, where to go, and who to be with. The cultural pressure presents unrealistic expectations to please everyone and give a picture-perfect image … Read more
The term etcetera is commonly used at the end of a list indicating that farther similar things are included that are too tedious to list and unworthy of any kind of special attention or note. One man, C.T. Studd took hold of the term as a call to fulfill the commands of Christ to enlist … Read more