By David Phillips

The Land Never Stops

Much like everyone else in the business of selling products, John Deere has been featuring a radio ad lately that is obviously designed to appeal to the down-home, back-to-basics streak that most of us have running through us.  “The land never stops”, says the deep, comforting voice.  No doubt they are hoping you’ll buy a tractor, and I guess we can’t fault them for trying.  At least they will probably cause some to be reminded that we owe a large debt of thanks to those who farm the land to grow and produce our food.

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By David Phillips

Disappointment and Hope

No matter where you stand on how our nation and state have dealt with the Cornoavirus Pandemic, you are likely very ready for things to get back closer to normal for our everyday lives.  We’re being told that there is going to have to be a “new normal” in the future, but just what that is going to be still remains to be seen.  Perhaps you were, like me, disappointed that the Governor’s announcement yesterday DID NOT make any provision for the resumption of public worship services.  I was really hoping that we would be allowed to meet together in the church building on Sunday, even with “social distancing” rules and other reasonable accommodations.  But, maybe in a couple more weeks…

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By David Phillips

More Essentials

Good Monday morning, looks like it’s time for more alphabet soup.  We’ve made it through the letter O in our look at Essentials for Christ on Mondays, so let’s grab 5 more.

Preparation.  In pretty much any worthwhile endeavor, preparation is one of the basics.  But where many things that we may tackle require preparation before getting started, Christianity involves an ongoing process of constant preparation, growth and development.  The more we practice it, the stronger it becomes.  Effort directed toward prayer, Bible study and pure living all work together to prepare us for our Heavenly reward.

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By David Phillips 

Spiritual Multitasking

Number 20, can you believe that?  In one way, it doesn’t seem like there’s been enough time for twenty of these since I started.  In another way, it seems like this Coronavirus pandemic has been going on and on for a long time.  Let’s hope, and pray, that it is about to start winding down.

In worship this morning, the sermon will be connected to Isaiah 40:31, which says …but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 

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By David Phillips 

Psalm 34:1-8

The superscription (the short statement at the beginning of many of the Psalms, giving the writer and often the circumstances of writing) at the beginning of Psalm 34 identifies it as having been written during the time recorded in 1 Samuel 21-22.  David had fled to Gath and was hiding from Saul among the Philistines.  The servants of Achish, King of Gath recognized David and reported him to the king.  Fearful for his life, David pretended to be insane, scratching on the doors and even drooling on himself.  The act was convincing, and Achish drove David away.  Fleeing to the cave of Adullam, he was joined there by his family members and everyone who was in distress…and in debt…and discontented…and he became captain over them (1 Samuel 22:2).

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By David Phillips

True Character

One of the interesting things about the nationwide COVID-19 crisis is the unprecedented revelation of true character it has brought about.  We’ve always heard that true character comes out in a crisis – and now we can see it clearly.  From the selfish “survival instinct” revealed by those who hoard hand sanitizer and toilet paper, to the frightening lust for power seen in many political leaders and public officials, we are getting a clear view of what people are made of.

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By David Phillips

More Essentials

Well, it’s Monday and time for more alphabet soup.  We’re starting out each week with an ongoing discussion of Essentials for Christ, letting the alphabet remind us of some essential attitudes and qualities that are absolute essentials to the Christian.  We’ve made it through J, covering aim, brotherly love, confidence, dead, edification, faithfulness, growth, humility, intention, and joy.  Let’s take 5 more:

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By David Phillips

The Same Servant

Can He Depend on You?  That is the title to a song we sometimes sing in worship services.  The chorus goes like this:  Can He depend on you, His blessed will to do?  Will you be crowned with the faithful and true, can He depend on you?  Verse 3 of the song gets right down to the point we need:  He is preparing in heaven a home for all His faithful and own; Are you preparing to stand by His side, or in that day be denied?  Have you told others the story of love, showing them what they should do?  These are the precepts that come from above, can He depend on you?

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By David Phillips

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13.

Oh, if only we could master that matter of being content with whatever situation we are in.  But just what is that contentment that Paul speaks of, and how can we get it?  Our modern dictionary defines content or contentment as “being in a state of peaceful happiness”.   I don’t think God necessarily wants us to be peacefully happy with every situation we find ourselves in.  Perhaps this misunderstanding is part of the reason some people accuse Christianity of being unrealistic.  Again, what is this matter of being content that Paul exemplifies?

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By David Phillips

“We certainly deserve it.”

That was the way one local weatherman called attention to the run of mild, low-humidity days that we are enjoying this week here in Central Alabama.  His obvious point was that after such a wild and stormy Easter Sunday, with more than 30 storm-related deaths across the South, we could well use a few days of nice weather. I understand his point, and the use of that figure of speech is fairly common, but maybe there’s an indicator in it of a little problem we have.

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