August 2025

  • We Need More Churches

    This morning, while running in downtown Hot Springs (on our church’s pastor retreat), I came across this building, which used to be First Presbyterian Church. Now it’s an event center or perhaps a bed and breakfast. I’m pleased to know the church it used to contain moved across the street. So many church buildings have

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  • The Serpent Crusher

    Tuesday, at our church’s All Staff meeting, something incredible happened that reminded me of Jesus’ power over sin, evil, and the devil. We present the staff member of the month with a gift card along with the golden rock. Last month, one of the pastors at Summit Bentonville received it. When I was there last

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  • Think with me a moment about the Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-30). He had it all (it seems). His description tells us everything. Money. Youth. Power. But he was lacking. He knew it. He needed help. He needed to fill a void those weren’t and never could. He even approaches Jesus with “Teacher”, it seems

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  • The Nearness of Christ

    As a pastor at a funeral, my goal is to be near a family as they view their loved one’s body. As people pass by, I’m standing near the casket. I try to carefully judge just how close to stand by the casket and by those who grieve, ready to step closer to pray, put

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  • I once helped a friend make a cross for Good Friday and Easter services. We used 6” beams that weighed about 75 pounds each. When finished, that cross weighed over 200 pounds. It reminded me, as it was intended to do, of the cross Jesus carried to Calvary. I sat in silence for about thirty

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  • THE HOLY SPIRIT…

    1.     is God (Acts 5:3-4) 2.     is Eternal (Hebrews 9:14) 3.     is Omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-10) 4.     is Omniscient (Romans 11:33) 5.     is Omnipotent (Zechariah 4:6) 6.     Counsels (John 14:16-17) 7.     Teaches and Reminds (John 14:26) 8.     Directs People to Jesus (John 3:7-8; John 15:26) 9.     Comforts/Counsels/Advocates (John 16:5-7)  10.  Convicts of Sin (John 16:8-11) 11.  Guides to Truth (John 16:13; Gal 5:16, 25) 12.  Glorifies Jesus (John 16:14) 13.  Created

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  • Time With My Dad

    My first pair of Jordans were the Jordan 7 OG Raptors (1992) – and boy, were they sweet! I remember begging my dad for a pair. He said we couldn’t afford them, but I was relentless (even selfish). They cost about $125 (almost $300 today). He finally bought me a pair and I was the

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  • Her children arise and call her blessed. Her husband also, as he praises her. – Proverbs 31:28 Proverbs 31 is generally applied to women. After you read it, you can’t help but do so as it describes what has been called “The Proverbs 31 Woman”. The author of Proverbs 31, King Lemuel, teaches us wisdom “his mother

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  • I am the most ignorant of men. I do not have a man’s understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. – Proverbs 30:2-3 Potholes are from the devil. Well, I may have exaggerated for emphasis. Eventually, I learn where they are and dodge them as they seem to take

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  • Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. – Proverbs 29:18 Proverbs 29:18 is probably one of the most misused Scriptures in the Bible (along with “judge not lest you be judged” and “he who is without sin cast the first stone”). I’ve heard it used multiple

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