As we all know, the elections are a painful, extended, and frustrating ordeal. It seems as though they last longer and grow more painful each and every year. As I walked into the church building on the Wednesday after the elections, I noticed a despondent mood in the air and a general feeling of discouragement. The results of the political race and the subsequent headlines of the day were disheartening. This election determined an unfortunate course that our country will take concerning many matters, most notably, religion and morality. As a result, many were feeling defeated. But as our singing […]

To illustrate a truly penitent heart, Jesus spoke of the return of a prodigal son and the word he said to his father: “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son’” (Luke 15.21 – nasu). However, the words, “I have sinned” are not always genuine. Twice during the time God brought the plagues on Egypt, Pharaoh said, “I have sinned” (Exod. 9.27; 10.16). He even went on to say, “The Lord is the righteous one, and I and my people are the […]

According to the website for “American Treasures of the Library of Congress,” the original “Uncle Sam” poster was published as the cover of the July 6, 1916, issue of “Leslie’s Weekly.” Titled, “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?”, the poster was so popular that in the next two years, four million copies were made. Most of us have seen the famous “Uncle Sam Wants You!” poster, which resurfaced, especially during the World War II era. It was designed to stir the hearts of patriotic Americans. Actually, Uncle Sam, aka the United States government, was seeking men and women to join in the […]

The state of Idaho has discovered that it is easier to take a mansion than it is to give it back, reports John Miller. The mansion was built by J.R. Simplot, a potato magnate who became a billionaire by building a corporation that supplied McDonald’s with its french-fries. Simplot, who died in 2008 at age 99, gave the mansion to the state of Idaho in 2004. The mansion was given to the state to serve as a residence for the governor of Idaho. But the current governor doesn’t want to live in it! A public hearing began this week to discuss what […]

Cutting Off the End of the Ham There’s a story about a newly wedded couple cooking dinner together for all the bride’s family. The new husband watched his new wife prepare a ham. She removed the outer wrap, cut off the end of the ham, and then threw the end of the ham into the trash under the sink. “Why’d you do that?” asked the husband. “It’s how my mother has always done it,” The new bride replied. “Why’d your mother do it?” asked the husband. “I don’t know,” said the wife. “Could you ask her?” said the husband. “Sure,” […]

The mood was no doubt solemn and determined in that cramped assembly room. After months of debate and argument, the time had finally come for the conclusion of the matter at hand. One after another the men walked up to the table, dipped a quill in the inkwell, and made the strokes that would determine the future of the entire world. One by one, 56 men signed a proclamation of their liberation from tyranny. The signers, though most are now forgotten by many, signed the most momentous and remembered document in the history of our country: the Declaration of Independence. […]

Consider Paul’s following statement: “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5.21). Did you happen to notice on your calendar that this past Wednesday, September 26, was Yom Kippur? “Yom” is the Hebrew word for day, and “Kippur” means atonement. So, Yom Kippur is the “Day of Atonement,” as described in Leviticus 16. Under the Law of Moses, this was the annual day upon which the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place to apply animal blood to the Mercy Seat (the […]

He was the boy king of Egypt, Pharaoh Tutankhamun He ruled in the eighteenth dynasty. He died at the young age of 19 after a ten-year reign (1332 BC – 1323 BC). His tomb and remains were discovered in 1922 and the collective treasures are valued in the billions of dollars. Vicki and I had the opportunity to see a part of this incredible collection at the Los Angeles County Museum a few years ago. The cause of his death has been the subject of speculation since Howard Carter discovered the mummy. DNA results show that the young Tut had malaria […]

Common Question: Is the church to partake of the Lord’s Supper every Sunday? First off, indeed Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22.19). The two major texts declaring Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper are in Matthew 26.26-29 & Luke 22.14-22. In Matthew 26, when Jesus instituted the Supper after eating the Passover with the disciples, in v. 29 He said, “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” So, what happened? In the ensuing chapters, Jesus was […]

The first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong, passed away August 25, 2012. He was 82 years old. We will never forget his words as he stepped on the surface of the moon, July 20, 1969. “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” This stupendous accomplishment took place just eight years after the Soviet cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, orbited the earth for the very first time. Armstrong is just one of many who risked their lives to go where no one else has gone, and do what no one has ever done. This adventure of quest is rare since […]