“A blind man’s world is bounded by the limits of his touch; an ignorant man’s world by the limits of his knowledge: a great man’s world by the limits of his vision,” observed author and minister, E. Paul Hovey Or as expressed by the often quoted author anonymous, “We are limited not by our abilities but by our vision.” In Acts 16 during Paul’s second missionary journey we learn how God cast a vision for the apostle to follow and for the spread of the Gospel. We see, as Warren Wiersbe expressed it “three wonderful openings.” #1 God Opened the Way (vv. 6-12) After visiting and strengthening chu ..read more

“I call myself a cultural Christian,” said Richard Dawkins, the well known British evolutionary biologist, author, and atheist. Cultural Christian? What’s that? You may wonder. Dawkins further explained in a recent interview with Rachel Johnson broadcast on March 31st on LBC. “I’m not a believer, but there is a distinction between being a believing Christian and a cultural Christian,” Dawkins noted, adding: “I love hymns and Christmas carols and I sort of feel at home in the Christian ethos, and I feel that we are a Christian country in that sense.” Similarly, Wikipedia offers this insight ..read more

In the comic strip “Peanuts”, Lucy tells her brother, Linus that she has “converted” a school classmate to her way of thinking religiously. Linus is surprised, especially knowing how Lucy operates! “How did you do it?” Linus asked. “I told him everything I believe and asked him if he believed it, too.” Lucy explained. “Then when we came to something he didn’t see my way, I just hit him over the head with my lunch box until he believed it!” I supposed we’ve all witnessed that kind of evangelism. Oh, not literally hitting someone over the head with a lunch box, or anything else. But evangelism ..read more

  Greetings from The Great Smoky Mountains We are blessed to be enjoying our annual Spring trip to the Smokies.  We visited here on our honeymoon 56 years ago.  And we’ve been back many times.  It holds a special place in our hearts. In recent years,  our pleasure has been enhanced by our friendship with Olie and Mary Williamson and our fellowship with the Cosby Church, where I’ve been given an open invitation to preach whenever we’re in the area.  Olie has already passed his 90th birthday and still going strong.  Preaching every Sunday, except when he can g ..read more

“Sin is fun, until it isn’t,” recently wrote my facebook friend and preaching colleague Wilson Adams. Take a minute to read this thought provoking post by Wilson that provides a fresh reminder of sin’s seriousness. And maybe offer a new perspective. Those who deny that sin contains an element of fun are not to be taken seriously. Scripture acknowledges this truth when it mentions the “passing pleasures” of sin. That says 1) sin is fun, but 2) the fun doesn’t last very long. Like the hook embedded in the bait, the thrill of the moment is eclipsed by the “Uh-oh” consequence when you realize yo ..read more

“Sin is fun, until it isn’t,” recently wrote my facebook friend and preaching colleague Wilson Adams. Take a minute to read this thought provoking post by Wilson that provides a fresh reminder of sin’s seriousness. And maybe offer a new perspective. Those who deny that sin contains an element of fun are not to be taken seriously. Scripture acknowledges this truth when it mentions the “passing pleasures” of sin. That says 1) sin is fun, but 2) the fun doesn’t last very long. Like the hook embedded in the bait, the thrill of the moment is eclipsed by the “Uh-oh” consequence when you realize yo ..read more

It was 30 years ago today I received that call. You know “that call.” It’s one you’re expecting sooner or later, but hoping against hope that it’s later. The voice on the other end speaks softly, slowly, and kindly. In hushed tones they gently inform that your loved has died. On that day, April 25, 1994, the voice on the phone broke the news that my father, Roy C. Weliever, had passed from this life. It wasn’t unexpected. Dad had suffered some TIA’s (mini-stokes) and was in a Rehab facility in Brandon, Florida. I had been to see him the previous week. He was lucid and conversant. We had a goo ..read more

It was 30 years ago today I received that call. You know “that call.” It’s one you’re expecting sooner or later, but hoping against hope that it’s later. The voice on the other end speaks softly, slowly, and kindly. In hushed tones they gently inform that your loved has died. On that day, April 25, 1994, the voice on the phone broke the news that my father, Roy C. Weliever, had passed from this life. It wasn’t unexpected. Dad had suffered some TIA’s (mini-stokes) and was in a Rehab facility in Brandon, Florida. I had been to see him the previous week. He was lucid and conversant. We had a goo ..read more

John W. Gardner, who wrote the book “Excellence” says we have the potential to make a difference, not only in our own lives. But also in the lives of those we meet. Gardner illustrates that point by relating the true story of a cheerful gentleman who invested his life in others. When the old fellow met people he never asked the conventional questions that we usually ask such as “What do you do for a living?” He always asked, “What have you done that you believe in and you are proud of?” For some folks, it was an unnerving question. For those whose self-worth was based on wealth, position or f ..read more

The ancient wise man opined that “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting” (Eccl.7:2). This sentiment was never more evident and applicable than in our attendance at the memorial service for Bob F. Owen this past Saturday at the Temple Terrace Church of Christ. The service honoring Bob, who passed away on April 13, 2024, at 94 years old, was more a celebration of a life well lived than a typical funeral service. Reflecting on Bob’s life flooded my heart with many wonderful memories. I first met bro. Owen as a teenager, probably about 14 or 15, when my parents ..read more