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Category Archives: God’s Sovereignty
Romans 8:28 & Roan Mountain
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28, NKJV) I grew up in the small town of Bakersville, North Carolina. I would … Continue reading
Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Brokenness, Comfort, Complaining, Creation, Depression, Disappointment, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Perseverance, Personal, Problems, Restoration, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry
Tagged Bakersville North Carolina, can God bring good out of bad?, Cloudland Hotel, God works all things out for the good, Matthew 6:28-30, rhododendrons on Roan Mountain, Roan Mountain, Romans 8:28
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The Ups & Downs of Life
For five springs, I served as an assistant coach on our middle school’s 7th-8th grade baseball teams. It was my oldest son, Ryan, who first got me involved with the gig. When he was a 6th grader, he volunteered to … Continue reading
Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Balance, Complaining, Contentment, Desires, Disappointment, Gambling, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, Humility, Personal, Thankfulness, Trusting In God, Worry
Tagged coaching middle school baseball, I have learned to be content, Life is like a box of chocolates, Philippians 4:11-12, Philippians 4:13, the ups and downs of baseball, the ups and downs of life
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God Knows Your Size Exactly
The Cornish preacher Billy Bray was a well-known Methodist minister of another day. He was once approached by a Quaker who said in his Old English manner of speaking, “I have often observed thy unselfish life and feel much interested … Continue reading
Posted in Change, Choices, Courage, Decisions, Desires, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Foreknowledge, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Service, Spiritual Gifts, Submission, Talents, Trusting In God
Tagged be yourself, Billy Bray, God's plan for your life, God's will for your life, Matthew 10:30, the hairs of your head are numbered, your uniqueness
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A Hop of Faith
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and … Continue reading
Posted in Adversity, Attitude, Complaining, Current Events, Depression, Disappointment, Faith, Fear, God's Love, God's Omnipotence, God's Provision, God's Sovereignty, Needs, New Year, Problems, Trials, Trusting In God, Worry
Tagged a leap of faith, Faith, optimism, pessimism, the new year
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The Flow of God’s Will
In the November, 2002, edition of Focus On the Family magazine, the following letter from Tyson Chastain was used: One Sunday my wife and I noticed an announcement in the church bulletin about a men’s missions trip to Honduras. Through God’s providence, … Continue reading
Is Beautiful Music Coming From You?
Old stories are just that: old stories. Some are true and some aren’t. Here’s one that comes from the late seventeenth century. I can’t testify to it’s authenticity, but it’s a good story. As a wealthy man from London was … Continue reading
Posted in Change, Doing Good, God's Love, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Work, Grace, Individuality, Service, Spiritual Gifts
Tagged Antonio Stradivari, God can play beautiful music through you, God can restore you, story about a Stradivarius violin, Stradivarius violins
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A Word to Parents
One day a man happened upon the cocoon of a budding butterfly. Realizing what the cocoon was, he became excited at the prospect of getting to watch a beautiful butterfly ultimately emerge from it. And, sure enough, he only had … Continue reading
Posted in Adversity, Character, Children, Disappointment, Fatherhood, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, Motherhood, Parenting, Perseverance, Problems, Trials, Youth
Tagged allowing children to fight their own battles, allowing your child to endure hardship, story about the butterfly emerging from the cocoon, the blessings that adversity can bring, times when a parent shouldn't help their child
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Maybe So, Maybe Not
In my previous post, “Let’s Get Real,” I pointed out that God allows Satan to win a lot of battles, even though God has already won the eternal war. That post was all about being honest with God when we … Continue reading
Posted in Adversity, Complaining, Contentment, Disappointment, Faith, God's Omnipotence, God's Foreknowledge, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, God's Work, Patience, Perseverance, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God
Tagged God knows more about your situation than you do, James Merritt illustration, story about the wise man who said Maybe So Maybe Not, Vance Havner quotes
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My Father Runs the Trains
Railroad tracks snake their way through the heart of the town in which I live. I’m not talking about old, decrepit tracks that haven’t seen any action in years. These tracks are alive and vibrant with the sounds of the … Continue reading
Posted in Adversity, Desires, Disappointment, Encouragement, God's Omnipotence, God's Timing, God's Omniscience, God's Sovereignty, God's Will, Needs, Problems, Trials, Worry
Tagged Dr. James H. Brookes, God runs the trains, God's Provision, J. Hudson Taylor, making the right connections, what Jesus said about sparrows, what Jesus said about the birds of the air, what Jesus said about the lilies of the field, Worry
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The Disciple's Road 