Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church

Sin expands one’s appetite for more sin. David’s sinful trail began by coveting his neighbor’s wife and was followed by adultery, lying, and murder. David’s unraveling did not stop until the prophet Nathan confronted and convinced him of his sins.

Repentance is the sinner’s only hope to be released from sin’s deadly cycle. Repentance begins with soulful remorse and ends with soul-filled renewal.

David’s attempt to insulate himself from guilt’s stinging indictment meant his sinful actions did not stop with sexually manipulating Bathsheba. He had to do something about Uriah, her husband.  Sin does not stop on its own power. Only God’s power is strong enough to stop sin’s destructive force. Repentance opens us to change when we personally yield our will to God’s will so our desires can be reshaped (Psalm 37:4).

David was said to be a “man after [God's] own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). On examining David’s heart, God anointed David to be king (1 Sam. 16:7).  David’s heart of faithfulness was his lead strength. At all costs the shepherd-king needed to treasure what was important to God so his heart would be focused on living and leading in God’s way.

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Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church

When Fathers are among the constellation of heroes in our lives, God’s best plans are working. God intended for fathers to be heroes for their children. Fathers do this best by living & modeling God’s ways as the way for their children to live.  

Consequently, the pathway of heroes in general - and the high calling of Fathers in particular - is highlighted in the Scriptures.  God inspired the biblical stories to be written in light of people’s strengths & weaknesses, which means we are entrusted to learn from their successes & failures.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the lives of King Saul & his son, Jonathan, and King David & his son, Solomon.

Saul was a double-minded man because his heart was divided.  He trusted God, but didn’t trust God. He was glad to be King, but resented God for anointing him as King.  He loved Jonathan, but didn’t trust Jonathan’s love for David.  Saul cared for David, but feared David’s popularity with the people. Saul passed on his best characteristics to Jonathan, but felt inferior when Jonathan’s best surpassed his own best.  Lessons learned by Jonathan became lessons applied, which is why he became a great hero.

David was a shepherd boy who became Israel’s greatest King.  However, his self-inflicted character flaws put his children at risk.  His sons & daughters would need to learn equally from what their father did right and what he did wrong.  However, when David’s life was headed in the wrong direction, he would listen to his heart love for God, and then correct his behavior. Read More »

Article by Malcolm Marler

My wife, Mary, has a blog that recently reminded me of the importance of centering myself, being still, and getting back in touch with my spirit and that which is greater than me.

And so this morning before I dive in to work, I want to be quiet and reflective.  Writing helps me to remember.

I breathe deeply from my diaphragm through my nose.  Over and over again.  And I remember.

I remember last night being clear and without humidity, and the millions of stars popping out of the sky as we sat on the deck.  And the night sounds of country living at the lake that include cicadas and tree frogs.

I remember close friends who spent time with us over the weekend.  Time for long conversations and the sharing of dreams. Why don’t I do this more often?  This is part of what gives life meaning. Read More »

Article by Mary Bea Sullivan

“What happened to you?” My friend Marjorie asked.  “Last time I saw you, you were so clear.  Today, you are all over the place.”

Marjorie was right, my energy was scattered and my focus blurry.  After a week filled with too much work, too many evenings out, and not enough silence, I was reverting to old, unhealthy ways of thinking.

“It is like the real you has vacated the premises and your inner critic is holed up in your head indulging herself like a drunken rock star.”  Marjorie added.

I cackled loudly at her analogy–a well-needed release from the swamp of negativity that I had been slogging through. Read More »

Article by Malcolm Marler

Sometimes days go by, maybe weeks or months, where there is routine and predictability in life.  There is a rhythm that feels natural and right.  We even fool ourselves into thinking we are in control of our own destiny.

And then something shifts, and we wake up and realize that our life has changed.  Sometimes it is temporary, sometimes it is for the rest of our life.

Someone we care about is sick and it means adding a daily or weekly responsibility to our routine.  We lose sleep and we try harder.  But we get more exhausted.  Additional things happen to people we care about and we do what we can to support them, but we realize we cannot do it all. Read More »