The word love is perhaps the most commonly used and misused word in our language. Love has been so exhausted in definitions and quotations in this day, it has lost its effectiveness and its appeal. But love is a powerful word. It is defined as “an intense feeling of deep appreciation or fondness for a person or thing,” but love means so much more than that. Love—I mean true love—is best defined through it’s expression and demonstration. Love is the most prominent theme through the Bible. It is used when describing the relationships of fathers and sons, husba

The day after lectures it was overcast and warm like it had been all week. The morning threatened showers. And it did not disappoint. Scattered showers fell around the area. Seems like they had come at just the right time all week—midday, so as to relieve the afternoon heat without interfering with the safe travel of our people. The day after rains reminded me of our opening lecture—“The Heavens Declare the Glory of God.” Not a drop falls that does not originate with God. Each one is a message from heaven that together comprise a persuasive argument for God. Today I heard

The Southside Lectures were patterned—with some alterations—after the Fairview Lectures in Garden Grove, California. That series was first initiated by the Elders at Fairview at the suggestion of Brent Lewis and with the cooperation of Brother Floyd Thompson. The first speakers were scheduled to be Ed Harrell and Homer Hailey. Brother Harrell was called to be part of the American Cultural Center at Hyderbad, India that year and had to cancel his agreement to participate in the first Fairview Lectures. I was subsequently called in to take his place. The Fa

I grew up in a loving family. My dad was quiet, but strong of character. My mom was more gregarious, but also of strong character. I don’t remember when we didn’t attend the worship services with those who shared our commonality in Christ. I remember when my little brother laid on a pallet between the benches (they weren’t near good enough to be called “pews”) and how we later went to classes on the Lord’s Day with the others our age. We had Sunday dinner for almost everyone—sometimes twenty or thirty—because we felt close to all of them. I never doubt

I haven’t flown very much. I didn’t take my first trip in an airplane until I was a freshman in high school, and I have only made four trips since then. I don’t like to fly because I have absolutely no control over the situation and feel totally helpless when the captain asks the stewardesses to sit down because of turbulent weather or when something doesn’t feel like I think it ought to feel.

When we moved to the new building, we were well aware that our work must not cease but increase with our new opportunities. And so it has. Our time in the new facility has brought new opportunities and new challenges. We have had our difficulties, but we have also seen growth and maturity in other areas. We have had a busy Spring, and the Summer is already full of plans for spiritual work and progress. Here’s a summary to keep you abreast of what’s coming:

We’re concerned about our young people—the world that they’re growing up in, the people that they’re growing up with, the atmosphere they’re growing up around. In the middle of one nation under God, we have experienced our second school shooting in a month, seen teen pregnancies and abortions rise to reprehensible numbers, and witnessed a revolution that has dishonored Jesus Christ and idolized sin and death. We’re concerned about our young people.

All of us at one time or another have seen the brilliance of a flock of geese flying in a V shape. It is not only a wonderful sight to see, it’s a very efficient aerodynamic pattern. Scientist have studied this pattern. The lead goose does most of the work, breaking the force of the wind. Then after a period of time, he drops to the back and the next goose takes over. Scientists have shown that it takes up to 60% less effort for the geese to fly this way. The flapping of wings creates an uplift of air, which is felt the greatest at the rear of the formation. The lead go

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (). While this passage is not referring specifically to the Lord’s Day, it certainly includes it. For instance, this is the day the Lord made for Christians. It is His day, the day He sanctified for a special use. We truly are blessed to have the Lord’s Day. What is today?

We are all devoted to something or somebody. To be devoted is to give or apply one’s time or attention—even one’s self—to something or somebody. Some folks are so devoted to their jobs they have no time for their family. Some are so devoted to a hobby that they have no time to spend worshiping and serving God. Devotion is a measurement of care, a sure sign of what we consider to be important.