Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 51 - 75 of 200
A Scottish church leader from the 1670s said, “Observe your hearts all times but especially under temptation. Temptation is a fire that brings up the scum of the vile heart: Do you carefully mark the first risings of corruption?” Some have incorrectly attributed this quote to William Shakespeare; however, the subject of temptation is always valid no matter what century an individual has lived in. I promote sticking to the basics, we can never go wrong when we hold that line in the wide range of life’s practices. There’s only one person I know...
Ancestral genealogies are often searched today. Our youngest son has been looking into our family’s history recently. I just knew it, there is a “Thor” dating back to our Scandinavian side! In the age of the Internet, a person has multiple resources when it comes to a detailed family tree, all at a click and most likely at a cost. Luke, one of the disciples of Jesus, was meticulous as a personal physician. He also sought to investigate the claims and teachings of Jesus Christ thoroughly. In chapter 3 of his account, he includes a compr...
Allow me to paint an all too familiar scenario with you for a moment. Families are out in the holiday rush, it’s festive and the crowd is quite large and pressing. In all the excitement it appears that a child (a son) is missing, but the assumption is he’s ok and close by with another family member. Dad and Mom fan out and start backtracking as anxiety builds. To the parents’ surprise, their son is, in fact, missing, nowhere among friends or family. Panic strikes and the search goes on, extending into several days. What would that situa...
Think of a time in life when you wanted a certain gift. Maybe you expected something specific in return or had to wait for a long period of time? What about a time when you never received what you wanted? Many of us have had these experiences. It’s my viewpoint that all the marketing of Christmas in our society has shaped an unbalanced mindset, targeting the constant need for self-gratification. Could we be a bit too self-centered today? Possibly. Now, I’m not a Scrooge and believe that gift-giving has its place, being generous is at the hea...
Have you heard the songs in the air? Radio, television, Internet, and stores are currently playing Christmas music, ‘tis the season. Soon carolers will be strolling, children will be performing at school concerts and choirs will be singing their hearts out. One tradition we held for numerous years as a family was some version of the “12 Days of Christmas,” little notes or small gifts leading up to December 25th. Our children loved the special gifts from grandma and grandpa or us making each day special. I’m certain you’re familiar with the...
Themes and professions are interwoven throughout the Bible, certainly “shepherd” is one of the prominent terms from Genesis to Revelation. Abraham, Moses, David, and a litany of others were shepherds simply since this was the common way of life or providing food. Shepherds are referenced as spiritual leaders in both the Old and New Testaments. More importantly, the imagery and language regarding Jesus as the “Great Shepherd” is fitting. Luke is the only New Testament writer who brings up the shepherds at the time of Christ’s birth. We must k...
History has a seemingly countless record of rulers, dating back to ancient times to the present. We use terms for heads of state like presidents, prime ministers, kings, queens, sultans, chancellors, supreme leader, premier, Fuhrer, and more. Some leaders rule for long periods of time and others short, some in their earlier years and others in their latter years. Governing styles can include a republic, democracy, monarchy, communism, dictatorship, totalitarianism, and oligarchy to name several. Understanding the difference between actual...
Do you ever sit back and just watch people? I often do but please understand this practice doesn’t make me creepy. Observing people is common for all of us in one way or another. Certainly, we refrain from being critical of those around us, none of us deserves such criticism. Some individuals wish to be the center of attention while others like to simply blend into the crowd and remain unnoticed. Those who garner everyone’s attention are loud and possibly obnoxious, they are the individuals I sit back and watch. As I’ve been reading about...
How many parents remember the joys of pregnancy and birth? Currently one of the latest fads includes creative baby gender reveals; this may include blue or pink smoke, cake, and more, many of which go viral. Recently I looked online for some blunders associated with a gender reveal gone wrong, wow there are some doozies! American and Jewish customs are far different, especially dating back to first-century Jewish households when the New Testament was written. Traditionally Jewish couples do not have baby showers, purchase baby items, or talk...
For some, naming a child is a thoughtful task; for others, tradition plays a much larger role. As my wife and I were expecting the birth of our four children, we took time in the months leading up to that significant event to explore name options for each of them. We explored meanings behind names, and examples seen in the Bible and considered past family members as kind of a balanced approach. I cherish the memories of those moments, with my hand resting on the womb of their mother, filled with joy and laughter. In Zachariah’s and E...
Dear Editor, The Rec Complex and Saddle Club dispute continues to bring confusion. We [the Whitehall Town Council] wish the matter was as simple as Doug Salsbury claims in last week's Ledger editorial, "We (SC) tried working with the town by suggesting to rent them the portable panels for $100 per year." The WSC drafted a Memorandum of Understanding and it's been narrowed to a second draft but it includes other provisions beyond a simple contract for panel rental which as town council and staff...
Throughout the rise and fall of history, cultures most definitely change. As you look back through your lifetime what changes have you seen occur? We have hope because of Jesus Christ even though there is some uncertainty due to current events and cultural upheaval surrounding us. Moral decline in modern society is concerning, but that’s only fitting in a culture that turns its back on God’s principles. I want to take you back to the first century, specifically the Jewish custom of circumcision. I’ve done more in-depth reading and study of Lu...
The birth of a child is a life-changing experience and a positive event for most people. Some people dream of having children but are unable due to medical, health, or unknown reasons. Others encounter health complications either with the mother or child during the pregnancy. I have consoled couples and individuals in some difficult times, so I recognize that there is some pain. In fact, I recall a new father calling me on a dark, wintery late night as he traveled to see his wife and premature son whose little life was in the balance. Tears...
One sight that I get a kick out of is seeing a person driving down the road singing out loud to music. Are you a person who does this? From time to time, you might see me doing the same thing. Entertaining music is intertwined with our culture and many genres suit us. Music conveys attitudes, ideas, emotions and so much more. In the context of Christianity, music is also entertaining but another important element exists; worship, a person’s expression of appreciation towards God. Doctor Luke in chapter one of his account gives us details a...
Do you like surprises? I do but only if they are “good” ones. LOL. Honestly, I’ve become a more organized person and generally, I function by a schedule even though last-minute changes come up. Those “monkey wrenches” can throw us by surprise, right? Luke introduces us as readers to possibly one of the most famous births in history. Of course, I’m referring to Jesus Christ’s birth. The “Good News” as many like to refer to this miraculous birth had to come as quite a shock for this young betrothed Jewish couple, Joseph, and Mary. “In the sixth m...
Biblical arguments and debates in Christian circles about “belief” have abounded over the years, especially when it comes to faith and healing. Here’s my two cents…as humans we are rather frail and at times even the best among us doubt God. This is true of the disciples who sat directly under Christ’s teaching, they watched him heal people and stand up to the Jewish opposition. Some will almost chastise Thomas for doubting the risen Savior who stood physically before him since he insisted on touching Christ’s nail scars. I’m not going to be o...
Throughout history, countless unanswered prayers are spoken, some trite and many others sincere from those who honor God. What are some unanswered prayers you have? In time we may get discouraged, thinking God doesn’t care or is somehow inattentive. We may feel that Heaven’s hotline is shut down or out of service. Sincere and selfless prayer is a very intriguing subject. Do we simply wish God to be our “sugar daddy in the sky” and give us everything we ask for? Or is God quite the opposite, just the Great Creator who cares little about our liv...
Luke is one of the four synoptic Gospels authors of the New Testament and provides an interesting perspective on the life of Jesus. Here are some facts regarding the author and historical background. Luke was a physician as noted by Paul in Colossians 4:14, in addition to being a gentile convert and the only gentile writer in the New Testament giving him a unique status in the early church. Traditionally, Judaism held a negative view of gentiles (non-Jewish people) and with the impact of Christ’s teachings and establishment of Christianity, t...
Have you ever used a specific tool for the wrong application? Recently, I came home and my wife, Dina, showed me all her hard work on the interior painting project. She did a fine job, but there was one caveat; I could sense it in her voice as she said, “But I need to show you something else.” After she pulled down a picture hanging on the wall there was this large hole. Apparently, she thought a crowbar was the proper tool to remove a screw. LOL. There was no sense in me scolding her since I’m guilty of utilizing improper tools as well. We ha...
Television has been a time for my children, wife, and I to be entertained, and not an exception to the rule was the ABC family show called Wipeout. Contestants were eager to compete on a wild and crazy obstacle course. One of the biggest menaces included “The Motivator,” a large swinging hammer that often caught contestants off guard by forcing them to jump or—in most cases--fall. If you have watched the show, I’m certain you were provided with many laughs, but, personally, I don’t think I would put my body through such punishment. Not worth it...
Today, I’m not sure many of us are aware of how easily we over-extend ourselves. Still. In general, we often wish to help someone in need because of an honest desire to be compassionate, at least that’s how I operate, how about you? Then there are other circumstances where we may say yes with our words, but on the inside our heart it shouts “No Way.” Our country had better regain its balance fairly soon, or nothing will be left to balance. Dr. Henry Cloud says, “Every invitation to help or rescue someone is an opportunity to strengthen our hone...
I’ve noticed our culture is adrift, rudderless, and maybe exhausted. Maybe you’ve seen the same dynamic played out in a variety of ways. Wrongs have become rights. First, I’m not writing in any attempt to persuade anyone politically. My goal is to persuade readers to consider the truths of the Bible. Christian maturity and Biblical application are far more important to me than some political viewpoints. It is true that our foundational belief system will intersect into aspects of our daily life, so we must learn to examine in detail those...
Clearly, we are living in frightening times; modern culture is far different than even one generation ago. The peace of WWII is fading. Relativism is understood as the belief that there’s no absolute truth, only the truths that a particular individual or culture happens to believe. My friends this is a recipe for disaster! Josh McDowell author and co-leader of the Free to Thrive series makes an important distinction; culture today has seen a rapid progression over the past few decades on three levels. Society has long been guided by an ...
No one is perfect, well, last time I checked. But, past failures and sins need not define our future, and I am thinking about right now. Is a failure haunting you? Through Jesus Christ we find redemption when we seek his forgiveness. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved…. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be sav...
A balanced Biblical view of who we are is both necessary and healthy. Author and theologian Josh McDowell states, “A healthy self-image is seeing yourself as God sees you, no more and no less.” Certainly, there are viewpoints that get quite unbalanced as history demonstrates. On one side, those who negatively think of themselves as fallen and unworthy negate the power of the Gospel, which redeems us. Then, on the opposite side, those who think too highly of themselves believe that they can do no wrong. They are apt to be like Icarus, the son of...
