Contemplations

“Why do You idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?” -Habakkuk 1:13b Judas was a traitor, used of God to fulfill His purposes (John 17:12). What of him? Consider the pagan conqueror Cyrus, “whose right hand I [the LORD] have grasped, to subdue nations [including Israel] before him…” (Isaiah 45:1). What of him? Think also of the Pharoah of Exodus, of whom God said, “for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.” (Exodus 9:16, Romans 9:17) What of him? What tyranny Pharoah set upon the children of Israel! What hardship came through Cyrus! What betrayal from the lips of Judas, yet all the while it was...

How much is a pink coat worth? $7.99 on eBay? $94.99, also on eBay? My friend Ruth brought in this pink winter coat as a part of our last-minute coat drive for children in Moldova. We have only until Wednesday afternoon (November 10th) to collect coats, hats, pairs of boots and donations to send to a ministry serving orphans there for what is predicted to be the coldest winter in 100 years. How much is a pink coat worth? As much as the life of the child it might save. Will you help? —– You can bring items by the Gateway Baptist Church offices or by the offices of KAIO Student Ministries, on the campus of First Assembly of God in Fort...

“Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him.” -Psalm 41:1 All throughout Scripture we see things like this; promises made that those who do X will receive Y. What do do, then, with the fact that there are many who DO “X” but DON’T receive “Y”? The more I learn and experience of God’s ways in the world, the more I start to think sometimes we have it backwards. Perhaps in this passage, it’s not a promise that helping the poor will mean you always get out of trouble because you somehow earned it. Maybe it’s not so much about a guarantee, as much as it is an evidence of a God-filled, Christ-centered life, and that lives like that have His power manifested in them...

This winter, orphaned children in Moldova will freeze solid in the night, never to wake up again. I found this out in a phone call from a friend, who sent me an e-mail, which directed me to this website, where I learned that I can actually DO SOMETHING about it. Can my little acts ensure no more orphans will die from the cold?  No.  Can I save at least SOME of them? Probably. First Assembly’s  Kaio Student Ministries is coordinating the coat drive to send clothing (coats, boots and hats) to a ministry to Moldova that is trying to help.  We can donate a coat or donate a dollar; every little bit counts. More information on the problem and solution in general can be found here.  More info about our local community’s opportunity to help is on the...

Why is it that when you look at people you'd say are "holy", it often seems like the criteria for holiness is a surrender of joy? It's as if they feel they can't have any fun anymore, because they must focus all their thoughts and hearts on "things above" to the exclusion of anything down here below. I'm sure it's good-hearted, but...

O my soul, beware the dark machines of human reason. They are so helpful when under our control, but if we let go our hand and attention they will soon switch places with us and we will be enslaved, our souls and spirits made prisoners to their iron gears. Reason is our tool; let it not become our task master. Used well it can help set us free, but given the reigns it can place us in a subtle bondage from which escape comes only at great cost. O my soul be wise and reasonable, but be free, and do not serve the machines.