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

Doubting Thomas is what most people call him.  The nickname “doubting” stuck to the Apostle because three times, at key points in Jesus’ ministry, he asked Jesus to explain himself.

Does asking God to clarify Himself mean that we lack faith?  Maybe.  It can be our way of stiff-arming God to keep Him at a distance, and our commitments to Him at a minimum.  Or, asking questions can be our faithful response of wanting more information, insight, and instruction so our faith in God can be best applied.

Which was it for Thomas?  Which is it for you?

Doubt expressed from the lips of Thomas came from his heart of faith.  Doubts formed in the mind of Thomas caused him to be more certain in his faith.

Thomas placed his doubts in the hands of God so his own hands would not be unnerved by what the future would demand of him.  He knew that the stakes of following Jesus were as high as heaven, and costly as the cross. Thomas shows us how to use doubt in the service of faith.

First, after questioning whether Jesus really wanted to put his life at risk by going near Jerusalem in order to help His friend Lazarus, Thomas said - upon seeing Jesus walking in that direction – “Let us go also, that we may die with him.” (John 11:1-16).

Secondly, after Jesus told the Apostles to not let their hearts be troubled because they would know the way to be with Him after His death, Thomas said, “Lord we do not know where you are going, how can we know the way?”  Thomas’ question set up Jesus to give the most powerful response, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, one comes to the Father through me.” (John 14:1-6). Read More »

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

Zacchaeus was a seeker who wanted to become a believer.

The importance and urgency of his quest came together when he heard that Jesus was walking through his hometown of Jericho.  The “time” was now and he needed to get himself to Jesus.

But how?  As a short man he would not be able to see Jesus if he stood among the crowd.  So he saw a sycamore (fig & mulberry) tree as his way to Jesus.  With a short trunk and broad limbs this tree was easy for Zacchaeus to climb.  When Jesus saw him in the tree, he looked into Zacchaeus’ soul and saw a person who was living in public desperation.

Zacchaeus’ ached to live out the meaning of his name, “pure.”  He had heard Jesus say “blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”  Zacchaeus wanted to heal the disconnect between who he could be and who he actually was.  Every seeker knows this ache.

So when Jesus called out to invite Zacchaeus to come down from the tree, He walked with him through the crowd and into his plush home … and Zacchaeus jumped to run into the changed life Jesus was offering him. Read More »

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

One day my father-in-law was drinking coffee at a McDonald’s in Fayetteville, Arkansas, when he asked another customer for his name and where he was from.  The answer came that Dalhart, Texas was the place and the person gave his name.  The following conversation unfolded.  

“I bet I can tell you where you lived.” “You can?”  “Yep. Your place was about 6 or 7 miles north of Dalhart, on the Highway towards Clayton.”  “You are right.”  “I bet I can also tell you a story about your father.”  “You knew him?”  “Yep. On a certain afternoon your Dad went down into your basement to check on the butane. When he lit a match, the room caught on fire because there was a leak in the line.

And now I can tell you a story about yourself.”  “What?”  “You were just a boy at the time, maybe 12. When you heard the whoosh, you ran downstairs into the fire to rescue your father.  You got burned along with him but you saved his life.”

The man then wanted to know how this seeming stranger, sitting at a  McDonald’s in Arkansas, could  know this important story from his life?  My father-in-law clarified that Dalhart was also his hometown.

As a result of this conversation, the heroic boy - now a man - felt the renewed strength that comes when the stories of our life are brought together in a way that we can better understand ourselves.

A similar strength happens when we read the Bible. Read More »

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

Christmas is God’s love story.  God wraps Christmas with a feeling for new beginnings.  Christmas is God’s provided hope for a new way of living.

So centuries before Christ was born, God envisioned the future through Isaiah’s prophecy.  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders.  He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Through the full scope of Isaiah’s prophetic ministry, God provided a portal through which people could more easily understand the future. 

Prophecy Reveals God’s Hope … Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth to declare the start of His Messiah ministry (Luke 4).  The day was a Sabbath and Jesus was asked to preach in the synagogue of His childhood.  He quoted from Isaiah’s writings, and then declared to seemingly everyone’s amazement … Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your presence.

Prophecy unveils the will of God for our lives. Yet for it to take effect, we must be willing to receive the message and apply it. 

Prophecy reveals the love language of God’s hope that the future can better than the past … if we are willing to live by His promises.  Consequently, Christmas is God’s message that our life worries have a resting place.

Emmanuel - God is with us now and forever.

So may we lean into God’s hope for this Christmas season by applying the prophecies from Isaiah that Christ fulfilled.  These messianic prophecies are: Read More »

“And so you care for them as one of your own family members.  Because now you know the truth:  There is a thin line between “them” and “us.”

Article by Malcolm Marler

Even though I work at an adult Level 1 trauma hospital, my work can still be routine at times.

In the Pastoral Care department, we are usually called during critical times with patients and families, as well as making routine visits on various units.  This happens every day.  It is all part of what we do as healthcare workers.

But when you are on the receiving side of the care giving equation in the hospital, it is anything but routine…

“Malcolm, I’ve had an accident,” he said.  ”Are you hurt?” I quickly asked while thanking God it was his voice calling me from his cell phone and not a state trooper.  ”I’m hurt a little, but the car is bad,” he offered apologetically.  At this point you realize just how insignificant a ton of steel and leather really is.  You can find another car.  “Where are you?  I’ll be right there,” I said as I hung up the phone. Read More »