In All Things, Give Thanks

1 Thessalonians 5.18 – November 22, 2009
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In Herod’s Palace: Three Reactions to the Christ Child

Suppose Jehovah, the Great I AM, had asked you to serve on a committee to formulate the plans for the events surrounding the birth of the Messiah. What would you have come up with?
The most natural idea would be to coincide the birth of the Messiah with one of the feasts celebrated annually by the [...]

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A Herodian Christmas Carol

One of the many popular Christmas time stories was first published by Charles Dickens in 1843. The Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his strange visitors on one Christmas Eve night. The tale begins seven years after the death of Scrooge’s business partner Jacob Marley. That night seven years later, the ghost [...]

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A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

Today is a different kind of thanksgiving for my family. Today, I will be attending the funeral service of my uncle Jonny who passed away last week. Jonny’s life story is one of true regeneration, one whose life was made new by the redeeming work of Christ.  The following is his obituary posted in the [...]

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The Challenge of Our Thanksgiving Prayers

When I served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Elm Mott, one of the men in my church gifted me with my own personal copy of the Book of Common Prayer. He actually signed it “to the Bishop of Elm Mott.” For my fellow Baptists, the Book of Common Prayer is the worship [...]

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A Little Thanksgiving History

There seems to be a little debate over the occurrence of the “first thanksgiving” in the new world. Some point to St. Augustine, Florida where a thanksgiving ceremony took place on September 8, 1565 after a group of 600 Spanish settlers arrived safely. The Mass of Thanksgiving was followed by a feast and celebration.
Most Americans [...]

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Just Asking

Please take 5 seconds to give me your feedback about the “Life’s Healing Choices” study that our church just completed. Of course, I would ask that you only register your opinion if you were a part of FBC Benbrook during the last three months.

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Why are the Righteous Persecuted? Aren’t They the Good Guys?

Jesus wants us to believe that those who are insulted, persecuted, and slandered for righteous living are blessed (see Matthew 5.10-12). Saving the question of blessing for another day, I still wonder why the righteous would be persecuted. After all, don’t we want the people who share our space to be merciful, pure, and peaceable? [...]

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Just Asking…

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The Present Day Persecuted Church

Since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago, 43,000,000 Christians have become martyrs.
Over 50% of these were in the last century alone.
More than 200 million Christians face persecution each day. 60% are children.
Every day over 300 are killed for their faith in Jesus Christ.

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