Columns

GIBBONS: It doesn't have to be that complicated

BY KEITH GIBBONS

My favorite professor in seminary (preaching school) when we were in the midst of exegesis (trying to figure out what the Bible means) used to tell us “It isn’t that complicated!” Unfortunately, we preacher types in the...... Full story

GUEST COLUMN: Love provides us with courage to love one another

By Michael Mueller

Every Sunday is an Easter. We recall that Christ rose from the dead and so we too shall rise from the dead. But did you know that every Sunday is also Pentecost, because the Holy Spirit has come to remind us of all that Jesus said and He teaches us...... Full story

MUELLER: The miracle of grace in the life of Mary from Magdala

By Michael Mueller

“After Jesus came back to life early on Sunday, He appeared first to Mary from Magdala, from whom He had forced out seven demons” Mark 16:9.If it is frightening to contemplate being possessed by a demon, it is much more dreadful to be a...... Full story

GUEST COLUMN: Jesus provides the gifts that he promises us

By Michael Mueller

After they had prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly (Acts 4:23-33). What if Jesus didn’t work? What if His words and promises fell through? What...... Full story

BRASWELL: Will 2012 really be the end of everything?

BY THE REV. JIMMY BRASWELL

In spite of the hype and cynicism of theologies and theories— what if 2012 is the last year we’re alive here on earth? What would you do with this year?Some would scramble to fill life with all the pleasures and desires they could. And...... Full story

NORRIS: Abortion issue is central to Christian ethics

The Rev. Don R. Norris

Among many churches across our nation Sunday is “Sanctity of Life Sunday.” One of the great debates of our current generations centers on the sanctity of human life and even more specifically, abortion. While abortion has existed from...... Full story

FISH: Letting go: Really a matter of trusting the Father?

Yolanda Fish

The only thing harder than hanging on is letting go. We have to let our children go, let our worry go, let relationships go, let dreams go. It’s a part of life. But why is it so hard? Why is it so hard to accept letting go as a shift into a...... Full story

PERKINS: Take time to revive your life in the new year

Rev. Robert Perkins

A new year is here! Another period in which we can either reflect on what we have done in the past and change or improve upon it, or we can refuse to learn from the mistakes that we have made. We can and should look back to see what we...... Full story

MUELLER: Christmas provides us with one blessing after another

BY THE REV. MICHAEL L. MUELLER

This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, I’d like to draw your attention to John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the...... Full story

BRASWELL: Jesus, save us from Christmas

Dr. Jimmy Braswell

I love the lights, tastes, gifts, colors and season of Christmas, but sometimes the form can take the place of the substance.While I was a student in seminary, a friend had begun ministering in a large church and complained to me how worried he was...... Full story

NORRIS: Jesus is the bringer of peace at Christmas time

BY THE REV DON R. NORRIS

In a few days, millions of people will gather to celebrate Christmas. Hopefully, for most, it will be a special time to remember and celebrate the coming of God’s one and only Son, Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah declared approximately 700...... Full story

BRASWELL: Art illustrates the hope of heaven

BY THE REV. JIMMY BRASWELL

The hope of heaven finds greatest expression in art; paintings, drawings, music, sculpture, drama, and poetry.These things and the memories of them survive because they are little illuminations of heaven. Some of those creations only last a short...... Full story

BRASWELL: Just a little spice changes things

Rev. Jimmy Braswell

Some weeks ago I wrote an article for this column and talked about our prayers for rain and shared some of the questionable reasons people gave me for no rain.I mentioned the bad clergy.Ironically, I have to share that I left town twice during the...... Full story

Keith Gibbons is the new head pastor at Bethany Christian Church. Gibbons has pastored for more than 28 years, most recently in El Campo.

GIBBONS: Church ministry can be a dangerous job

Rev. Keith Gibbons

The local church ministry is a dangerous job. It doesn’t appear to be, but statistically it ranks in the same category as deep-sea welders and loggers. It is behind crab fishermen, but ahead of munitions workers.The overuse of statistics can...... Full story

BRASWELL: In compromise, love must be the rule

BY THE REV. JIMMY BRASWELL

It is the little betrayals of ourselves that brings hell on earth. Our own negligence of what we know we should do as opposed to what we can.The memory of trash simply dumped on the side of the road or thrown out the windows of the car, the little...... Full story