Kevin Kinard had been making his annual visit to Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park for over twenty years, when he discovered a 9.07 carat diamond. This past Labor Day, Kevin picked up a crystal, thinking it might be glass. To his amazement, it turned out to be the site’s second-largest diamond found in its […]
Do you remember the popular television program, “Cheers”? The theme song was, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.” Regulars entered the bar, not to drown their sorrows in drink, but to enjoy some camaraderie with some friends who didn’t try to “fix” all their defects and problems, or shower them with condemnation. Nick Stumbo shares in […]
When I was first saved, I was confused after reading the book of Job. It seemed like Job’s friends had some distorted views of God. Yet, knowing that the Scriptures were inspired, I wasn’t sure if I was to believe everything they said. Now, my understanding of “inspired” convinces me that the conversations in Job […]
Fireworks and parades and ice cream cones and picnics…all a celebration of our Independence Day…won by so much blood and treasure. So many brave souls, many of whom we will never read about in print…these men and women of valor who put their own lives and desires aside for the betterment of future generations. A […]
We expect our friends to be loyal. How would you feel if your closest friend cowardly denied knowing you? Friends who forsake you create some of the deepest scars. For 3 ½ years Peter had been groomed by the Lord to be the leader of the disciples after His death, resurrection, and return to Heaven. […]
You’ve heard of kids turning 180 degrees away from the values of their parents? Well, this is one of those situations. Hezekiah was a good leader of his country. He began his reign at 25 and was king of Judah for 29 years. But after he died, his son, Manasseh, became king. Manasseh was only […]
A very interesting passage of Scripture comes to mind in light of these days. 2 Chronicles 7:13–14 says, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command LOCUSTS to devour the land or send a PLAGUE among My people, if My people, who are called by My name, will humble […]
I was born a Furtado because my dad was a Furtado, and his dad was a Furtado, as was his dad, etc. I was born a sinner because my dad was a sinner, and his dad was a sinner, as was his dad, all the way back to Adam. I might be a well-respected and […]
Ever tried using a screwdriver to twist a long screw into or out of wood? It’s almost impossible. But with a power tool, it seems effortless. When Karen and I reroofed our house, we pounded every nail with a hammer. Besides hitting our thumbs a number of times, it took us a month. Our neighbors, […]
For people around the world, the Friday before Easter is called Good Friday. I doubt that any of the followers of Christ, watching the brutal torture of Jesus, would have thought, “This is GOOD.” In fact, it was the WORST Friday of their lives. Many followed Jesus because they assumed that He was the long-awaited […]