Articles for tag: Gift

March 1, 2022

Mark E. Moore

Authentic Gospel

Authentic Gospel

By Mark E. Moore Words get tossed about recklessly. We use love for a sweater and a spouse. Few things are actually awesome. And like has been functionally reduced to a comma in common vernacular. Most of the time this loose language matters little. But when it comes to the bedrock of our faith, we might want to be a little more faithful to the meaning of our words. So, let’s start with this question: What precisely is “the gospel”? THE GOSPELS OF THE GREEKS AND THE ROMANS The term gospel, which literally means “good news,” was not originally a

January 1, 2022

Rudy & Osharye Hagood

A Caseload of One: Keep Seeking to Know Her

When I was being trained as a minister, one of the primary points of emphasis was expositional preaching. I remember the concept “context is king” being drilled into my head like it was yesterday. It went a little like this: “Rudy, we must know what it meant to them to know how it applies to us today. Rudy, what’s the historical distance? Exegete the text, Rudy! Think exegetically, Rudy! Preach expositional sermons, Rudy!” OK, OK, OK, I got it. When it comes to our marriages, however, we are not taught to seek to understand our spouses to the same degree.

December 19, 2021

Christian Standard

‘It Was Our Time to Shine’

All this week, Christian leaders will be sharing favorite Christmas memories with readers. Today we hear from Johnson University educator Kendi Howells Douglas, who recalls being in children's Christmas programs at her Minnesota church. Check back every morning, through Christmas Day, for more recollections.

March 1, 2021

Christian Standard

Mar 7 | Application

My first “minister’s office” was a small corner room. . . . My office contained a gas heater, a rotary phone, and a mimeograph machine I cranked by hand to print the weekly bulletin. One of my weekly tasks was burning trash in a barrel. . . .

December 2, 2020

Christian Standard

The Solomon Foundation Celebrating 10 Years (Plus News Briefs)

This coming Monday marks one of three key dates in the 10-year anniversary celebration of The Solomon Foundation, the nation’s fastest-growing church extension fund. On Dec. 7, 2010, TSF had its first board meeting in Indianapolis. Elected to that first board were Barry Cameron, Jerry Harris, Chris Philbeck, Jim Putman, Tony Burgarello, Gary Beyschau, Jim Tune, and Doug Crozier (ex officio). Crozier was appointed chief executive officer and Cameron was elected as the first chairman of the board. Two other key events in the history of TSF occurred about that same time. On Oct. 29, 2010, in the Green Room

September 7, 2020

Christian Standard

Expensive Messages

By Jon Wren Would you like to receive a birthday message from legendary quarterback Brett Favre? It’ll cost you $400. Want to send your spouse an anniversary message from country music superstar Granger Smith? That’ll cost you $74. Or, since it’s Grandparent’s Day, perhaps you’d like to send your grandparent or a grandchild an encouraging video from Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss. It’ll cost you $999. All of these celebrities and more can record and deliver a custom video message for you through a platform called Cameo. Cameo contracts with various singers, actors, athletes, and other famous people to provide, for

August 17, 2020

Stuart Powell

Community of Outcasts

By Stuart Powell In the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, we read about King Saul, who, filled with delusional jealousy and hatred, set out to kill David, whom he feared would take his throne. David escaped to safety and refrained from starting a rebellion. But during his time in exile, many people became connected to the young man who would become the next ruler. Scripture says, “All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around [David], and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him” (1 Samuel 22:2). The people who first

August 5, 2020

Christian Standard

Best Christian Workplaces Listed (Plus News Briefs)

Compiled by Jim Nieman The Best Christian Workplace Institute has honored 76 faith-based organizations as Certified Best Christian Workplaces for 2020. Among those churches, mission organizations, and parachurch ministries honored: • 2|42 Community Church, Brighton, Mich. • Canyon Ridge Christian Church, Las Vegas, Nev. • Compass Christian Church, Chandler, Ariz. • Northridge Christian Church, Milledgeville, Ga. • StoneBridge Christian Church, Omaha, Neb. • CDF Capital, Irvine, Calif. • Christian Children’s Home of Ohio, Wooster, Ohio • Cookson Hills, Kansas, Okla. _ _ _ News Briefs Hope International University, Fullerton, Calif., will begin fall semester in a remote learning arrangement. In

May 17, 2020

Matthew Wilson

Our Impact in the Wider Evangelical World

By Matthew Wilson As a pastor in an independent Christian church, I’m excited and encouraged that many denominational churches are abandoning traditions and conventions and are migrating toward movements like ours that embrace biblical supremacy. In many ways, I believe we are coming out of a dark ages and entering an era of enlightenment. People no longer follow doctrines and practices just because they are told to; instead, they demand to understand the context for what they believe. In modern history, many Christians relied on the authority of their governing bodies, but now we live in an information-driven age where

May 10, 2020

David Faust

Application for May 17: The Natural Response to Being Loved

(This “Application“ column goes with the Bible lesson for May 17, 2020: “His Beloved Ones.”) By David Faust What would you say if someone asked, “Is it difficult to be a Christian?” Might your answer be both yes and no? On the one hand, Christ already did the hardest part. He accomplished what we could never do for ourselves. He lived a perfect life and suffered for our transgressions on the cross. We sinners could never measure up to all the righteous standards of God, but his love overflows and his grace is sufficient in spite of our imperfections. “The

December 22, 2019

Christian Standard

A Strange Birthday Celebration

(This essay by John Greenlee appeared on p. 7 of the December 19, 1982, issue of Christian Standard. At that time, Greenlee served as minister with First Christian Church, Thousand Oaks, Calif.) A true story of Christmas . . . There was once a great king. His love for his people knew no limits. Although the kingdom was very large, the king knew every person by name. Everything the people of the kingdom had was a gift freely given by the loving king. So, to show their love and appreciation to the king for all he had done for them,

December 19, 2019

Christian Standard

‘The Gift of God to Godly Men’

Here is a Christmas sermon by a quiet and godly man who preferred to preach with his pen. _ _ _ So Christmas Comes By Orrin Root Editor, Bible School Literature,The Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, O.;December 24, 1949; p. 11 O little town of BethlehemHow still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, The silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark street shineth The everlasting light; The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight.” Still indeed must have been the little town of Bethlehem in the depths of that night long

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