“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”  2 Thessalonians 3:18  Here in the South there’s nothing like a good sandwich. And here, a really good sandwich doesn’t have to be complicated, only a few basic components are necessary. Particularly in the spring and summer, you can choose pretty much any kind of filler or meat you like, but for me Dukes Mayonnaise is a must, a brand not widely seen around all parts of the country. And along with that Dukes Mayonnaise, fresh garden tomatoes this time of year are pretty awesome, with just a[…]

“He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  2 Thessalonians 2:14  In 1 Kings 3 and 2 Chronicles 1, Solomon begins his reign as Israel’s third king by worshiping the Lord, and it wasn’t just any kind of worship!  By offering over 1,000 animal sacrifices to the Lord, it was an extraordinary, extravagant worship. The kind of worship that invoked a response from the Lord that came in the form of a visit through a vision and included a question. The question to Solomon[…]

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 “No” is just not a favorite word for most people. Nothing makes a toddler push out their bottom lip and tears run down their face faster than the word “No.” As a “Believer” and a “Faith person,” I’m called to believe and not doubt, and when doubt tries to creep in, I’m to believe harder, deeper, and stronger. But, what do you do when the thing you’re believing God so deeply and earnestly[…]

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:11  Have you ever had one of those moments when everything in life was going good, and yet a “funk” was trying to hit you? I’m a pretty positive and upbeat person, but I had one of those moments just recently. The kids where well, business was good and there was nothing to dread or worry about, yet this sly funk tried to creep in one recent afternoon. I wanted to pray, but as soon as I walked in the door of my home[…]

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.” Jeremiah 17:7  According to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, “The dietary vitamin and supplement industry was a $122 billion industry back in 2016. Much of this growth has been driven by an increase in consumer demand for health and wellness products.”   Twenty years ago, it would have been hard to imagine that it would be possible for large retail chains, like GNC, to have stand-alone stores dedicated to just vitamins and nutritional supplements. It would have even been hard to imagine there would be enough consumer interest[…]

“Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?”  Psalm 71:19  Have you ever found yourself doing the very thing, or things, you swore you’d never do? Such was the case for Peter. On their last night together, just before His crucifixion, Jesus warned His disciples that one of them would betray him. They all looked around among themselves trying to figure out just who it could be. It was then that Peter spoke up and told the Lord he would never betray Him. He swore that[…]

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 The days of strong-armed sales tactics are over. People have grown weary from any attempt to force them into making a purchase. This push back has brought about a lot of change in the world of sales and marketing. Companies today, are finding much more success in the softer approach of “Solution Selling.” Even in the Church world, there has been a realization that the old ways of evangelism just aren’t as effective.  No longer[…]

 “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 Before mega churches were even considered possible Dr. Robert Schuller pastored of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove California. Dr. Schuller cites many of his life’s accomplishments and successes to what he called “Possibility Thinking.” Schuller coined this phrase to help people see the importance of their thought life. He believed that what a person set their[…]

“Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:7  As it opened its doors welcoming retail tenants and shoppers in 1968, The Vernon Park Mall was the pride of the East. As the first shopping mall east of Raleigh, in the rural farming town of Kinston, North Carolina, the mall bustled with commerce as folks drove from miles around to walk the corridors, shop the stores and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. Many a shop[…]

“Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” Colossians 1:10  Bill and Bette had no idea what the little farm they had just purchased would one day turn into. The year was 1953 and the young couple couldn’t wait to start planting sweet corn in the fertile soil of Southern New Jersey. Bill started selling that corn from the back of a wagon, and as the family grew, so did the[…]