By: Mark Kolchin Shields & Shishaks “I press for the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 Coming through another winter Olympic season, we have all undoubtedly heard the oft-repeated phrase in commercials and elsewhere to “Go for the Gold!”. It is a verbal and vivid reminder […]
“For when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.” – 2 Corinthians 7:5 There is no question that the Church in North America is facing severe challenges. The decline in church attendance which has been steadily going on for […]
The scene is a far too familiar one: the regularly scheduled elders’ meeting begins with a brief, but generalized, time of prayer. It is then followed by the usual routine of going around the table, asking each elder what he would like to discuss. The suggestions usually range from the urgent to the trivial – […]
To give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” Isa. 61:3 It was on the night of January 11, 2013, that a single spark, […]