Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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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...
Thinking about the character of God, we all see God through our own eyes, and more specifically, through our experiences. Many of these experiences are negative. The great American Poet, Robert Frost, who is the closest thing to Poet Lauriat our country has ever known, described God’s character in tens if not hundreds of poems in many different and subtle ways. Always with reverence and respect; this is not true of not a few in our own culture. Perception is part of the problem, so we must search for the truth. Monica in the Free to Thrive v...
Being accused, “You don’t listen,” hurts. One unexpected result of the Internet and the Cell Phone age is that people are conditioned into impatience. Why is this? It is the incessant bells and whistles going off to condition us to look at our Cell phone. Youth are being misled. As adults we are expected to be temperate, patient, listen, and to be straightforward. However, adults, too, miss the mark. I’m not alone in calling these times, “The age of great distraction.” Friend, I want to ask you to look deeper. Do you listen to God given longi...
Bob’s childhood was very difficult, certainly unexpected, considering that his parents were part of a ministry organization that traveled around the world preaching the saving grace of Jesus. But at home: intemperateness. Bob’s father was absent in many respects, and during those important developmental years, the boy wilted under hurtful insults and outbursts of anger directed at him by his father. For years the young man lived in fear and worse, internal strife. He developed several health issues, including acute obsessive-compulsive dis...
Monica’s first story is one of balance tragic. At 22 she brimmed with life. Her fiancée and she planned to go into ministry. Then suddenly he broke the engagement, and the rejection sent her into a spin. Having grown up a quiet girl and mostly introverted, uncomfortable around strangers, she withdrew and turned to comfort in alcohol. She met a man in the party scene, attempting to cope with past rejection—a manipulative predator. He took advantage of alcohol and her youth. Then abandoned her. For months her human prison of despair, dark...
Once upon a time, Americans agreed that to THRIVE every individual went the short route by identifying what we longed for and what we craved. It was agreeable and married people, especially married old couples, learned the secrets and they were precious. Christian marriage had been proved. It wasn’t something to argue over, Why was this? Well, from conception to early years, a mother and father slaved and sacrificed everything for their children. Why? For what? For food, shelter, clothing, and, yes, for love. Today, it’s still clear, we are...
We are created by God with natural longings. Some of these longings are honorable and pleasant within the safe boundaries taught in the Bible. Other longings are harmful, even destructive to ourselves or others as warned against in the Bible. Author and speaker, Ben Bennett states “Failure to address legitimate longings is often behind our unhealthy thoughts and destructive behaviors.” Ben founded the Resolution Movement- a global movement helping people overcome hurts and struggles to thrive in life, check out this initiative at res...
Our friends at Merriam-Websters define thrive as: to FLOURISH, or to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances. With spring in full swing, I’ve noticed the dandelions thriving. I’ll be treating them real soon. Most of us want to thrive in our businesses, but, more than this, we want to progress, it’s human nature. On the other hand, reality teaches us that we do not always get what we want. No one is promised the world. Many circumstances are beyond our control, especially when other people are brought into the m...
I’ve heard literally thousands of sermons in my 52 years. As a pastor, I’ve preached hundreds of sermons over the past 35 years. One common expression a pastor often uses when wrapping up their message includes “in closing.” That’s generally a hint that they are almost done speaking, maybe? Many a time a preacher failed to conclude. Pastor and professor at my Seminary, David Jones said, “Land the plane future preachers. Don’t say you’re coming in for the landing and then take off again.” I’ve heard his message many times in my head when I’m sp...
Our topics today, hardship and discipline, weave together, watch for them. Who doesn’t feel for an individual or, for that matter, a people enduring hardship and suffering? Perhaps you recall watching the movie classic The Grapes of Wrath, the translation of the John Steinbeck novel of the same name? Henry Fonda and his instantly recognizable voice—he was young when it was filmed. Discipline, on the other hand, has multiple connotations all depending upon the context. We view discipline negatively if it entails emotional and/or physical abu...
