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 »

“I’m learning that my deepest lessons are learned when I look at what someone has said or done to me that was hurtful and ask the question, ‘How have I done this to others in my thoughts or actions?’”

Article by Malcolm Marler

As I sat in the meeting with a group of fellow co-workers (not my chaplain team), I was caught off guard by the comments of one of the group members. He critiqued a workshop that I had recently led in front of the group, and he told me how disappointed he was that I didn’t talk enough about some things he thought would have been more helpful to the audience.

I felt my face grow warm with embarrassment and I was aware of the tightness in my throat and the defensiveness in my voice.  Finally, I just sat back and listened, though I could feel the sadness in my heart and the pit in my stomach that he (and maybe others) was not impressed.

He did not approve.  I was not all that he wanted me to be, I had failed to impress or to be held in high esteem by this individual.  My stress level was on high alert.

Can you remember a time when you were criticized by a co-worker, a family member, or your spouse or partner? Read More »

Article by Kevin L. DeWitt

Have you ever have one of those unproductive days?  You know.  One of those days when you just feel a little lazy.  One of those days where you don’t want to work on anything on your to-do list?

We’ve all had those days.  I have.  None of us are productive all of the time.  The type of day where I did a little work but not everything I had planned.

Sometimes we didn’t get enough sleep; sometimes we just don’t have motivation; sometimes we get distracted by a new game …

So when this happens, what do you do?  It’s a matter of finding ways to still get the important things done when not feeling productive, and also allowing yourself to take breaks now and then.  Our minds and bodies need periodic breaks … we can’t go full charge all the time.

Here are some strategies for combating (or surviving) unproductive days: Read More »

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

There was a Matthew behind the Gospel of Matthew.  Matthew, a person much like us, wrote the Gospel which bears his name.  Like us, he knew the stress of fear and the power of hope.  He felt the anguish of guilt and the joy of forgiveness.  He cried and laughed.  And his life came together on the day Jesus called him to the ultimate adventure, “follow me.”

Those words were the invitation of a lifetime.  And by saying “yes” to the offer, Matthew walked into eternal salvation.  Such is the gospel’s power to transform us when we:

Accept our need for Christ;

Believe in Christ;

Commit our life to Christ. (Matt. 9: 9-13)

When Matthew arose from his tax collector’s table to follow Jesus, he became a first-hand witness to the world’s most amazing story.  Feeling responsible, he wrote an account of what he had seen and heard so future generations could know the events of Christ’s virgin birth, messianic ministry, atoning death, and victorious resurrection.

Forty years went by after Christ’s resurrection before Matthew wrote his account.  Then under God’s inspiration, he penned the tale that is told the world over.  The last verse of his twenty-eight chapters climaxes not only the Great Commission but his entire Gospel.  It’s the promise of Jesus never to abandon us, “and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Read More »

“… It calls us home and reminds us that life is good, and that we need to be still and quiet.”

Article by Malcolm Marler

A few months ago I wrote the following words to my wife, Mary, in an email:

“When we move from the lake, my hope and prayer will be that whatever and wherever it is, it will be a step toward radical simplicity.  A step towards making time for relationships, yours and mine, as well as with others, and a lifestyle that is enriched by doing what we love, and not what we feel like we have to do.  I don’t know what all of that means, but I like to dream of it.”

And so my simplicity journey began. It was a step, a beginning, a stirring, a calling to walk a new pace.

In Richard Foster’s book, Freedom of Simplicity, he states that simplicity is rooted in the spiritual.  Simplicity is not about becoming an ascetic and hating material possessions.  It is about understanding that happiness through owning stuff is limited, and our peace, joy, and inherent value comes from God. Read More »