March 4, 2011
Photo by Howard Reed
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TONY ELDER: God's plan includes following His will for our own good
I watched a movie recently in which God and angels played a significant role. While the film was interesting, it's theology was way out of kilter.
ELDER: There's a little Jesus in all of us
I've grown accustomed to seeing various creatures around the porch of our church building. My most frequent encounters are with the various types of lizards that have taken up residence in the area underneath the shrubbery.
ELDER: We can replace God with a substitute but he will always be there
One of my daughters has been working as a substitute teacher recently while she pursues her search for a more permanent position in that profession.
ELDER: Let's keep praying and doing whatever we can to help others find their way
There is a mortgage company that advertises on TV with the slogan "get to a better place." The obvious interpretation of that message is that they're trying to help you purchase the home that you want.
ELDER: After 40 years with God, we should see progress in ourselves
It was 40 years ago that I responded to God's grace and received His wonderful gift of salvation.
ELDER: God knows the truth, whether anyone else does or not
My wife told me about an incident that took place one day recently while she was over at our daughter's house.
ELDER: People can stand for something without showing hatred and fear
Do you recall this classic scene from "A Charlie Brown Christmas"? A confused and depressed Charlie Brown resorts to paying the 5-cent fee in order to consult with Lucy, the self-proclaimed doctor, at her lemonade-stand-like psychiatrist's booth.
ELDER: God calls us to be faithful
We all probably know who Jerry's Kids are. This Labor Day weekend will mark the 45th annual telethon to raise money for the fight against muscular dystrophy. Since Jerry Lewis has been the face of this effort for many years, the children who are helped by this organization are often referred to simply as "Jerry's Kids."
ELDER: Have faith that God will show us the way when we are weak
It was so frustrating. I was trying to accomplish a needed job at the church, only to run into one roadblock after another.
ELDER: We can look forward to a peaceful coexistence with creatures
Late last week we took a quick trip to Savannah to visit our daughter who is attending school in that beautiful and historic location.
ELDER: We need to do more than look like a Christian
Did you hear about the guy who recently received a citation for having livestock in his yard?
ELDER: Push the button of faith and look to God for help
I've had a hard time giving away my money lately -- not to people, but to machines. I'm referring to those automated contraptions in which you're supposed to feed your paper currency in order to pay for something.
ELDER: We need to obey the easy and difficult laws of God
It happened one morning last week in those predawn hours when a person often finds himself tottering on the brink between sleep and consciousness. I distinctly heard a mysterious voice penetrate the darkness of my bedroom.
ELDER: Church should be less like business and more like family
I guess you heard about the uproar at the famous hot dog eating contest on Coney Island last week. I'm not a follower of such competitions -- it hurts my digestive system just to watch someone force himself to eat so much in so little time.
ELDER: Pray for our leaders whether or not we like their politics
Recently I was asked to give the invocation and lead the Pledge of Allegiance at a local Board of Commissioners meeting. I was honored by the invitation and gladly accepted the opportunity to serve in this way.
ELDER: Don't let little things trip up your relationship with God
On this Father's Day weekend, my dad is pulling extra duty around his house. The added responsibilities come from the fact that my mom is nursing a broken arm.
ELDER: Don't hide inabilities from God
It was about five months ago that I received word from a physical exam that my cholesterol level was a little high. So over that time span I've made some definite changes in my eating habits in accordance with the suggestions offered in some of the pamphlets the doctor gave me.
ELDER: Don't hide inabilities from God
It was about five months ago that I received word from a physical exam that my cholesterol level was a little high. So over that time span I've made some definite changes in my eating habits in accordance with the suggestions offered in some of the pamphlets the doctor gave me.
ELDER: Loosen those stiff, aching backs and bow before God
If you don't suffer from neck or back problems, you should consider yourself blessed. I know some people who have a terrible time with such ailments. In the past few years, I've found myself becoming susceptible to lower back pain. I have to be careful about bending over, how I lift objects and even how long I stay in a standing or sitting position.
ELDER: Take time out to reconnect with the Lord
My daughter went back to work last week after having been on leave for a while due to giving birth to our first granddaughter. Her return means that we're also back to baby-sitting a couple of days each week.
ELDER: Rash decisions, actions on our part often prove unwise
One day recently as my basset hound and I returned home after a walk through the neighborhood, we encountered an interesting situation. When we headed into our backyard, my dog suddenly stopped with a serious stare on her face that I recognized as her stalking pose.
ELDER: Our actions have impact on others
On these cold winter days, it has been tempting to spend my leisure time in our warm house curled up in a comfortable chair with a good book.
ELDER: Nothing can ever replace God's great love for us
At our church's annual Valentine Banquet, our romantic, creative natures were put the test. Each person was given a list of eight words from which they were to formulate sentiments appropriate for Valentine's Day.
ELDER: Find your recall notice and let God fix your self-inflicted flaws
Since we have a couple of Toyotas in our family of vehicles, I have been watching with more than just casual interest the information in recent days about the recall of a large number of their cars.
ELDER: In some situations it pays to 'be gentle'
Our first granddaughter arrived in the world slightly more than a week ago. While mom and dad were busy at the hospital, we took charge of our two rambunctious little grandsons.
ELDER: We need to operate under God's direction
One morning during the recent cold spell I was driving down the road when a car approaching from the opposite direction got my attention. I got a glimpse of someone's head sticking out of an open window in that vehicle.
ELDER: Get out of the cold with a warm relationship with God
Cold weather has certainly settled into our area over the past week, as it has across much of our nation. From the deep recesses of my closet, I've retrieved my heaviest coat and warmest clothes, the ones that only get used during the coldest parts of a Georgia winter, if at all.
ELDER: Commit to reading the Bible more in new year
I often encourage people to make a daily practice of reading the Bible. It's strange -- you usually don't have to prod anyone to eat dinner every day, but many of us have to be reminded to feed regularly on that which nourishes and strengthens our souls.
ELDER: Show the spirit of the season through whatever means we possess
Last Sunday night our church had its annual Christmas program. It was an enjoyable evening full of the music of the season, wonderful fellowship, and delicious refreshments. One of the highlights of the service was when the children of the church sang "Go Tell It on the Mountain."
ELDER: Dealing with unexpected expenses at Christmas
It was one of those unexpected expenses during the Christmas season.
ELDER: Make an appointment for a spiritual exam
One day last week I underwent an annual physical exam. Actually, in my case, I have to confess that the word "annual" is greatly misleading. A more accurate word might be one used to describe an event that takes place every 10 or 20 years.
ELDER: Politics should be left out of helping out
Maybe you read the recent newspaper article reporting that a local board of commissioners is encouraging churches to help make up for reductions in funding for some agencies that provide social services in our area ("Sunday Citizen" -- Nov. 22, 2009).
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