For My Part, Even Though I Am Not Physically Present, I Am with You in Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 5:3 “I was in the spirit on the Lord’s Day…” Revelation 1:10 I was talking with a group of young teens about the importance of church attendance. A question was asked that I wasn’t expecting. It seems that one young man was very perceptive. “How do you count the ones who are…Keep Reading

When Your Friends and Enemies Join Forces Solomon said, “An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends” (Prov 16:28, TLB). He also wrote, “When there is no wood, the fire goes out; when there is no one to spread gossip, arguing stops” (Proverbs 26:20, The Voice). Mark Twain had this comment about gossip: “It takes your enemy and your friend, working together, to hurt you to the…Keep Reading

Rev. Nate and Julie Ware First Interview – Interviewed by God – Interview Ourselves This embroidery is on my 40 year old shirt as I lovingly wear it today. This shirt has it’s own story. Years ago, when visiting the Garment District in New York City, near Macy’s Department Store, it was a younger girl’s fantasy land to see what was garments lay hidden in the design fields before going…Keep Reading

Hearing Boisterous Winds But Have Trouble Hearing God “…blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29 It is so easy to focus on the size of our trouble instead of seeing the greatness of God. Life had seemed it’s worst when the king’s advisers told David that even God could not help him now. He knew better; and so, he spoke: “You O Lord are…Keep Reading

Measure Twice and Cut Once “A good man thinks before he speaks; the evil man pours out his evil words without a thought” (Prov 15:28, TLB). There’s a saying among carpenters: “Measure twice and cut once.” Measuring our words not only ensures a proper fit for the occasion, but also reveals the content of the heart, for Jesus said, “A good man’s speech reveals the rich treasures within him. An…Keep Reading

Rev. Nate and Julie Ware We Are More As I watch the faces of people who are seeking God, and the illuminating moment of understanding an answer to their question . . . It’s my thought that we are more than who we are! When we perceive our Maker as being our Creator . . . When we take that next step of seeking and discovering “Who He is” ….Keep Reading

“Groupthink,” a New Term, but an Ancient Error “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” (Prov 15:22). When Solomon died, his son Rehoboam came to the throne. The people petitioned him to lighten their tax load and the required “voluntary” service in his kingdom, and they would serve him forever. Ignoring the advice of his father’s advisers, who advised him to do as they requested, he turned…Keep Reading

God Grant Us a Revival of the Seed of Righteousness “…they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.” Psalm 61:3b Last week the noble sentry of our churchyard faced another storm as it had done for perhaps two hundred years. This time was its last gallant stand. Many saints in Heaven and on earth have communed with God in the shade…Keep Reading

How Will We Know the Difference Between Tares and Wheat? “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22 The flowers are looking tired, and their brilliant glory has faded like a sun worn dashboard in an old car. Our Lord said that the grass withers and flowers fade; but aren’t you glad that the…Keep Reading

A Better World Begins With Me “Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin is a disgrace in any society” (Prov 14:34, ESV). We may be tempted to focus on the personal and political sins of the mighty—their adulteries, their massacres of truth with campaign ads, their reception of bribes, and these are certainly disgraceful. That is the easy application—TOO EASY! Isaiah declared that the nation of Israel was sick from…Keep Reading

Our God is an Expert Gardener of the Soul “Make sure there is no root among you that bears such poisonous and bitter fruit…” Deuteronomy 29:18 It would be foolish to put fertilizer on poison oak, yet we do it sometimes. I am talking about the poison oak of negative thoughts and words that spread an unnecessary rash that irritates our soul. It is also highly contagious. To dwell in…Keep Reading

Hanging Out With Fools Many societies have proverbs that caution against associating with the wrong crowd. “He that runs with wolves learns to howl” (Spanish). “He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas” (English). “He that takes a raven for a guide shall light upon carrion” (Oriental). Solomon said, “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces…Keep Reading