Warmth Rather than Light

People join churches more because they want warmth than light. We like to think it's our stunning proclamation of the truth that keeps them in the ...

Silas, Paul's Co-Author?

Silas is first mentioned at the Council of Jerusalem (49). As "one of the leading men among the brethren," he was chosen as diplomatic envoy ...

Barnabas, Advocate for the Despised

"Barnabas" was actually his nickname, given him by the apostles. It meant "Son of Encouragement," and it was most appropriate.

He was ...

Titus, Paul's Troubleshooter

Titus probably gets the Pauline service award with 20 years as Paul's co-worker.

Titus was born a Gentile, and when he became a Christian he did not ...

Welcoming Throughout the Building

Welcoming isn't just something done at the door; it's something everyone does all over the building.

Welcome Criticism

Get a friend to tell you your faults, or better still, welcome an enemy who will watch you keenly and sting you savagely. What a blessing such an irritating ...

Turning Song to "Twitter"

A man had a fine canary whose song was unusually beautiful. During the summer, it seemed a shame to keep the bird inside the house all the time. So the ...

Emotional Needs Come First

Meeting the emotional needs of people comes first. They want to know, "Do you like me?" and "Can I find a place here?"

A Friend in Need

While walking through the mall, I smiled when I heard one elderly lady in a wheelchair say to her companion pushing her, "When you get tired, we'll ...

Luke, Paul's Biographer

"Only Luke is with me." So wrote Paul late in life from a Roman prison, just one evidence of their close relationship.

Early tradition suggests ...