I heard an old wives tale that if a hoot owl hooted outside your bedroom window three nights in a row you were going to die, or you were going to lose someone you love. Well, a hoot owl has been outside my window for about four weeks and I’m still alive and kicking! Saturday, February 16, 2019
It is interesting to compare similar passages in the Bible for deeper meaning. If a crowd witnesses an event, their individual descriptions of what happened are usually slightly different because they may not have seen and heard exactly the same thing. Sunday, February 10, 2019
To the best of my recollection, I have been in over 12 automobile/motorcycle accidents in my life. I have been hit from behind, hit in the front, landed side-ways while in a tractor and trailer, and have rear-ended cars because I wasn’t paying attention while driving. Saturday, February 9, 2019
Loving one another in the name of Christ is the foundational bedrock of all Christian good news. We have no hope of achieving a satisfactory Christian life if we chose to throw out love. To love someone in the Spirit of Christ is to see them through the eyes of God who made them. They have souls worthy of our respect, kindness and hope. Wednesday, February 6, 2019
What would Jesus think if he came back today and saw what people of faith have done with his message? Suppose he was here now and asked us to show him what we are doing in his name. What would we do? Sunday, February 3, 2019
On the first day of the new year, my wife and I took a walk after lunch. I generally try to exercise 3-or-4 times a week, but I would rather walk with my wife than go to the gym by myself. Saturday, February 2, 2019
The ‘Souper Bowl of Caring’ has become an annual tradition for many congregations, schools and other youth-led communities, which can make a big difference for charities such as Christian Ministry of Lincoln County. Friday, February 1, 2019
It will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in downtown Lincolnton. Please encourage your pastor or church representative about attending our annual meeting of the member churches. We will share what each ministry has done over the past year and what we hope to do in the coming year. Everyone is invited! Sunday, January 27, 2019
This week my friend Dawn was celebrating the end of chemo treatment for her cancer, and she wanted to meet for dinner at a fondue restaurant called The Melting Pot in downtown Charlotte at 5 p.m. Trying to find a restaurant I had never been to in downtown Charlotte at 5 p.m. on a weekday was a sobering thought. Sunday, January 27, 2019
My entire life has been surrounded by mystery. The first mystery was when my mom came home from the hospital with my baby sister. Saturday, January 26, 2019
The Golden Valley Crusaders are well known for their performances at local churches; at outdoor concerts and bluegrass festivals; and, as the band’s members recently jointly noted, “anywhere that has a family-friendly atmosphere". Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Christian Ministry’s soup kitchen is a signature part of the local charity’s good work and they are seeking local volunteers to help. They have several dates available in March, April and May that need to be filled. Monday, January 21, 2019
This week we celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If he were alive today what would he say about our polarized nation and the longest government shut down in the history of our country? Sunday, January 20, 2019
A few days ago I was getting dressed to go to work. I grabbed the first pair of pants I could find to put them on. Something was wrong, they didn’t fit. Saturday, January 19, 2019
The wise men who traveled from the east to see Jesus didn't arrive at the stable where the shepherds worshipped the savior. They arrived later. This week, Dr. Spence talks about their encounter with Christ and our own. Sunday, January 13, 2019
My husband Neil and I are college football fans, especially Clemson! We watch every game and was a great year for our team because they were undefeated all year. We admire their coach Dabo Swinney and how he works with his student players. Sunday, January 13, 2019
While I was growing up I had a variety of pets. I have owned birds, fish, turtles, mice, snakes, dogs, rabbits, insects (ant farm, praying mantis, and honey bees), cattle, and cats. All of these creatures have certain personalities, some more than others, and they all need some type of assistance. Saturday, January 12, 2019
Annual Meeting at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited. The Soup Kitchen needs coverage on Jan. 21 and the ‘Souper Bowl of Caring’ is coming up the week before the Super Bowl (Feb. 3). See how you can help support this cause! Saturday, January 12, 2019
The concert is their way of saying "thank you" for all those who have supported Exodus Homes, a faith based United Way agency that provides supportive housing for homeless recovering people returning to the community from treatment centers and prison. Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Sunday (Jan. 6th) was celebrated in some churches as the Epiphany. It is perhaps appropriate that volunteers disassembled and stored the Nativity Scene that had been on the Courtsquare until next Christmas. Monday, January 7, 2019
This week in Bible Study we were sharing some of our favorite scriptures and how they would lead us in the New Year. It was interesting to see a theme develop as we shared passages and talked about why we chose them. Sunday, January 6, 2019
I must admit that I have always been intrigued by fast talking salespeople. The ones who have just discovered the cure for something that before hand I didn’t even know was a disease. If you have trouble sleeping at night and you watch television, you will see all kinds of gadgets that will make your life better and even more exciting. Saturday, January 5, 2019
There's a hymn called "Let Others See Jesus In You." This week, Dr. Spence talks about how God relates to the world through the church. Friday, January 4, 2019
Christian Ministry’s annual Christmas fundraiser didn’t quite reach its hoped-for finish line. That’s the word Wednesday from executive director Mitzi Williams. “We fell short of last year’s total of $120,081 by $15,493,” said Williams, citing the final total of $104,588.64. Thursday, January 3, 2019
Dan Korzep disdains the title "Reverend," preferring instead his denomination's moniker "Teaching Elder." He will be installed this Sunday evening as the new pastor at Lincolnton's Harvest Church on Lithia Inn Road. Sunday, December 30, 2018
Someone recently asked me “Why do we celebrate the New Year? It’s just going to be the same old thing over and over again. Why does it matter?” I imagine if Solomon was here today he might ask that question because he felt the same way. Sunday, December 30, 2018
Are you going to make any New Year Resolutions this year? I have never made it a big deal, but the new year is a good time to start with some new habits that should be helpful to yourself and others. Saturday, December 29, 2018
Many local churches will be holding Christmas Eve services tonight. Here is a list of a few that have notified us of their special services. Monday, December 24, 2018
After all the presents are open and we are sitting together enjoying fellowship with the ones we love, don’t forget to celebrate the birth of Christ – the real reason for the season. Monday, December 24, 2018
Recently I learned that the ocean floor has mountain ranges as big as the ones on dry land, and if we could drain the water way we would see rocky peaks as high as Mt. Everest and ranges as large as the Rocky Mountains. Sunday, December 23, 2018
