In Defense of Religious Liberty

"Religion, or the duty we owe to our Creator, and manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence, and, therefore, all men should enjoy the fullest toleration in the exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience, unpunished and unrestrained by the magistrate, unless under color of religion any man disturb the peace, the happiness, or safety of society, and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love and charity toward each other." ~ James Madison (1751-1836), 4th President of the United States

Tithe at Home

"There are three major food stores in our town. You can't go to one & get your groceries and pay for them at another. You must pay where you get your food. The same should be true with the church. You pay your tithe where you are a member and where you get your [spiritual] food each week." ~ Blair H. McKim

A Stronger Back

"I do not pray for a lighter load, but for a stronger back." ~ Phillips Brooks

Forgive...

"People who can’t forgive when they are slighted face a future of bitterness, anger and frustration. Whether the offense is real or imaginary, an inability to forgive harms the one who has been offended more than the offender.” ~ Graham Tomlin

Deadly Foe...

“Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted.” Desiring God means we live an active faith, one that looks at a holey life and recognizes that grace can fill the holes. When we experience the fires that refine our faith, we can choose to go through the–to grow through them.) ~ A.W. Tozer (Excerpt from Holey, Wholly, Holy: A Lenten Journey of Refinement)

What Do You Believe God is Capable of?

“When you believe that nothing significant can happen through you, you have said more about your belief in God than you have said about yourself.” ~ Henry Blackaby

Serve...

"Christian love serves God by serving those in the community; you might call it holiness in action." ~ Warrick

Respect Helps People

"If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are." ~ John Gardner

Parents: Children Become What You Are...

‎"Children are keen observers, and are much more powerfully affected by what they see--than by what they hear. It is of little use to talk to them of the gospel--if we do not adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in our lives. Thousands of children are ruined by the conduct of their parents--and many of them professing Christian parents!" ~ James Smith

Your Call

‎"The Great Commission has been given to every Christian. Thus, our 'general call' as Christians includes not only following and obeying, but also 'going' -- to someone, somewhere, even if only across the hall. Therefore, let no Christian ever say, 'I have received no call.' The call has been given; you don't need to wait around for it." ~ Thomas Hale, "On Being a Missionary"

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV 1984)

Step by Step

"I don't know Who -or What- put the question, I don't know when it was put. I don't even remember answering. But at some moment I did answer Yes to Someone -or Something- and from that hour I was certain that existence is meaningful and that, therefore, my life, in selfsurrender, had a goal. ... As I continued along the Way, I learned, step by step, word by word, that behind every saying in the Gospels stands one man and one man's experience. Also behind the prayer that the cup might pass from him and his promise to drink it. Also behind each of the words from the Cross." ~ Dag Hammarskjöld's

Never...

"Never, "for the sake of peace and quiet," deny your own experience or convictions. The only kind of dignity which is genuine is that which is not diminished by the indifference of others. Pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for. Never measure the height of a mountain until you have reached the top. Then you will see how low it was." ~ Dag Hammarskjöld's

Time is Too Precious to Waste

“Wasting time is unbecoming of a saint who is bought by the precious blood of Jesus. His time and all he has is to be used for the Lord.” —George Muller

Actions Speak Loudest

"Let us preach you, Dear Jesus, without preaching . . . not by words but by our example." ~ Mother Teresa