Author Archives: dave

A Very Personal Blessing

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Bad news about the global financial system is pouring out of our news media as if from a fire hose.  For anyone out there who has been tempted to trust in Mammon, I offer my condolences.  This is no doubt a very tragic and stressful time for you.

I would also offer the encouragement that trusting in Jesus and Him alone is not so bad.  It can even be kind of fun once we have the right perspective.  For example, take this experience from a week or so ago. 

The Lord had been speaking to my heart through recent Bible studies about giving.  After talking and praying it through with Ginger, when I recently received my paycheck, we decided to give most all of it back to the church.  It seemed like the right thing to do.  How surprising it was to then receive a check in the mail for $1000 a few days later from some out-of-state friends. 

Now let’s be clear, our donating large sums of money to our church is not very common.  Even more unusual is our receiving large unexpected cash gifts.  I wouldn’t have mentioned either except that I felt this was a story that needed to be shared.  It makes the reality of serving a Living God just that much more real to us right now.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” – Philippians 4:19-20 (NKJV)

Palmer St. Podcast: Acts 9

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This week we look at what is probably the most famous conversion in the history of the church – the conversion of the rabbi Saul of Tarsus – later known as the apostle Paul.  This may also be history’s most unlikely conversion and the one to have the greatest impact on church history.

Audio:  Acts09.mp3

Notes:  Acts09.pdf

In God We Trust

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There’s a weird way in which I love instability.  I’m referring to instability on a grand scale.  When times and events cause people to be uncertain, when insecurity is the order of the day, when political, economic and whatever other sort of turmoil exposes the ricketiness of all this world’s structures, then our foundation of trust in the Lord can be tested and proved strong.   

Peace, for example, seems to be in short supply these days.  Nonetheless, the words of Jesus are still there for us to read and remember:

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27 (NKJV)

But that peace needs to be taken.  It needs to be received intentionally through conscious trust.  And the Bible is so full of encouragement to trust in the Lord.

“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked;
     But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous;
     And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”
                                                      – Psalms 32:10-11 (NKJV)

“Trust in the Lord, and do good;
     Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the Lord,
     And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”
                                                      – Psalms 37:3-4 (NKJV)

“It is better to trust in the Lord
     Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord
     Than to put confidence in princes.”
                                                      – Psalms 118:8-9 (NKJV)