This week I got a letter from a reader of this column named James Webber who worked for years as a truck driver. He used to read a newsprint magazine called “Highway News and Good News” in the 1970s published by the Transport for Christ ministry written for highway cowboys to encourage them in their faith. Sunday, July 14, 2019
Have you ever wondered how our “old sayings” became “old sayings?” Take for instance, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too?” This sage old saying has never made any sense to me. Why would you want cake if you couldn’t eat it? Saturday, July 13, 2019
Springfield Memorial Baptist Church hosted the Gaston County Missionary Baptist Association (GCMBA) July 7-11 for their 65th Annual Session in Stanley. Thursday, July 11, 2019
The Hudson-based family group will perform a free concert at the Lowesville church, coming up on Saturday, July 13, at 6 p.m. And sharing the bill will be the Rogers Family of Rutherfordton. Wednesday, July 10, 2019
The group’s soup kitchen is in need of help from volunteers. If you can work a stove and cook a meal, then we need you! Our weekday supply of volunteer cooks––Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ––has dwindled. And we need cooks to help serve those who come in every day for a hot, cooked meal. Monday, July 8, 2019
Paul says in Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” One of the most important things Jesus came to teach us was about our sin, and He wanted us to know that our sin is more than our outward behavior. Sunday, July 7, 2019
It has been a long time since I have been a patient in an Emergency Room, and I wished it could have been even longer. But last Monday evening I was a patient instead of a visitor. Saturday, July 6, 2019
Here’s a great idea for items for the food pantry - why not have a food drive sign-in at your VBS and ask for macaroni-and-cheese to be donated to Christian Ministry. Also the ministry's soup kitchen has been chosen by Bi-Lo for their community bag program through July. Monday, July 1, 2019
This week one of the faithful readers of this column, Marie Jenkins, shared something with me she found in her keepsakes. I invite any of you to send me things you think would be edifying in this column. Sunday, June 30, 2019
One of my favorite television shows is the, “Andy Griffith Show.” It is a series that can still make me laugh, cry, and think within the span of thirty minutes. Saturday, June 29, 2019
The bluegrass gospel greats will present a free concert during that Sunday morning’s worship services and everyone is invited to a covered-dish lunch with the quartet immediately after the concert. Thursday, June 27, 2019
One thing I hear about everywhere I go is the disabling effects of anxiety in our community. “My anxiety is so bad right now”, or “my anxiety is getting worse” are very common themes. Sunday, June 23, 2019
Over the past few months I have baked enough cakes to make Paula Deen blush. It started out as a hobby, but it is now a border line obsession. Saturday, June 22, 2019
The Mount Holly-based trio will perform a free concert at the Lowesville church, coming up this Saturday, June 22, at 6 p.m. And sharing the bill will be Backline, a gospel bluegrass band out of Spartanburg, S.C. Thursday, June 20, 2019
The program needs drivers for the West Lincoln route for the first Wednesday or second or fourth Friday of every month, training will be provided to deliver meals to the homes of local elderly and shut-in residents. Also the ministry needs volunteers for the soup kitchen and items for the clothing closet. Monday, June 17, 2019
Father’s Day reminds us that we are all somebody’s child, and we are all God’s children. No matter how old we are, our inner child is still there. Sunday, June 16, 2019
I have always prided myself on being able to find a “good deal” on anything from a pair of shoes to mountain property. I will not allow myself to be lured into buying something by a fast talking salesman. Saturday, June 15, 2019
Most folks probably think of winter as the most critical time for Christian Ministry’s clients. And whilst of course that’s probably true, summer, too, can be problematic. Monday, June 10, 2019
Many churches celebrated Pentecost Sunday this week. This amazing event occurred 50 days after the resurrection and 10 days after the ascension of Jesus. Sunday, June 9, 2019
I am amused by people’s perception of the past. We don’t know the future, we haven’t figured out the present, but the past, well, we can change the past in our minds till it suits us just fine. Saturday, June 8, 2019
God wants us to ask for and seek the things we want from Him but the answers to our prayers may not be what we expected. Like a good parent, he has our best interest in mind when answering our prayers and His goal is always to give us what will help us grow spiritually no matter what we asked for. Sunday, June 2, 2019
I have always wondered how brothers or sisters can have the same mother and father and be complete opposites from each other. My older brother is the easiest going, soft spoken person you would ever want to meet. I’m not. However, we did share one hobby growing up that we both enjoyed: trout fishing! Saturday, June 1, 2019
My heart is full from the joy I experienced last week at the luncheon where some of you who read this column gathered together to celebrate life and love one another. We had many churches represented, but that day we were one family in the Body of Christ. Sunday, May 26, 2019
As men are measured by time and circumstances, he was greater than most. He was a man who loved God, set a great example for his family, and was respected by his friends. The eyes of this man were upon the poor and weak, for he always helped the less fortunate. Saturday, May 25, 2019
There was a popular song some years ago called "Teach Your Children." It wasn't about religious education, but unfortunately, for many children that's the teaching they're not getting. If we hold the Bible as the most important book to our faith, we need to study it--and to teach it to our children. This week, Dr. Spence shares a 'fake' Bible story to show just how people can become confused if they haven't been taught. Friday, May 24, 2019
Country Breakfast at Daniels Lutheran, Gospel Concert with Endless Highway and the Childers Family, Trumpet Special with the husband and wife team of Jerry and Jackie Amend along with Cain Leonard, Old Paths Gospel Concert and More! Friday, May 24, 2019
The ECCCM (Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry) 19th annual Benefit Golf Tournament was held May 9th at Glen Oaks Golf Club in Maiden. The ministry brings together the resources of the Christian community to serve the people in need of crisis assistance, support and education, in response to God’s call. Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Every day we wake up to the unknown. We may think we know what the day has in store, but life is what happens while we are making other plans. Jesus could foresee everything that was coming, but we are not like Him in that way. Sunday, May 19, 2019
The story of Samson has probably captured the imagination of every child who was told the story in Church. I had always envisioned Samson as a big man with lots of muscles. The great feats of strength that he performed while judge over Israel would lead you to believe he was the biggest and bravest man alive. Saturday, May 18, 2019
