Posts by hickerson (Page 3)

While FH is studying the Sermon on the Mount Wednesday nights, the lectionary readings for each Sunday in February will cover this greatest of sermons ever preached. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5 – 7) in many ways speaks for itself, for it is the longest uninterrupted section we have of Jesus’ teaching. Not only is it a classic of world literature, it continues to be the most revolutionary manifesto ever spoken, with no exaggeration judging by the…

  My uncle from Arkansas sent me a picture to illustrate his most recent accomplishment—passing a national safety certification test with the highest and perfect score. Although running a medium sized farm for 30 years with no major safety violations or events, my uncle’s record was not enough to “grandfather him in” for a safety certification. He was told he must pass a current national safety test, because his old methods were likely outdated and even misinformed. Most of the…

Science and John 1  (Click to View)

This Sunday marks the annual Christmas play by the children and youth of Forest Home.  It is a time when those smaller in stature have a chance to shine light on the kingdom of God for those older.  Well Jesus did say, “The kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Luke 18:16).   So we gladly learn from what they say, how they say it, and their manner of “flocking to Jesus.”  Our children are precious.  They naturally help…

What is the Shared Virtue of Nelson Mandela (South African) and James Kim (Korean) ?   Shared Virtue of Nelson Mandela and James Kim  (click to view)      

The continuing popularity of C.S. Lewis (1889 – 1963) would have surprised no one more than Lewis himself. This past Friday marked the 50th anniversary of Lewis’ death, which saw many gather to celebrate Lewis’ newly carved memorial in stone at the poet’s corner of Westminster Abbey in London. Anyone who takes a little time to read Lewis knows why he is rightly honored among such greats as Dickens, Wordsworth, Keats, and Shakespeare.  Most who read one of Lewis’ books,…

The Apostle Paul advised his mission team minister Timothy, who served the church in Ephesus, “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture” (1 Timothy 4:13). FH church continues the apostolic and ancient church practice of public reading of Scripture as a spiritual discipline each Sunday. In it we hear the words that are our story, our true story, and we learn to listen for what the Lord is saying to each of us and to FH…

What follows is a news report on school bullying that made the TV news in Dallas a few weeks ago. School bullying may be defined as physical and/or emotional harm inflicted within the boundaries of a school ground and taking a form ranging from teasing, taunting, hitting, kicking or taking/destroying others’ belongings. Approximately 1.5 million from ages 12 to 18 report having been victimized by violence while at school. The most up to date, professional, and comprehensive study of bullying…

Christians and churches have struggled for centuries over how to live out being “not under law but under grace.” Grace is among the most comforting, wonderful and inspiring words of the Bible. Yet like all good things, even grace can be perverted and subverted. Sooner or later, every church and every Christian will come to a place where a decision has to be made for either Cheap Grace or Costly Grace. Perhaps no one has expressed this fork in the…

Every church and time has those passages of Scripture which seem to fade into the background of our daily walk as we give needed attention to particular and pressing concerns. May I suggest that one such Scripture is Hebrews 13:7. Chapter 13 ends the book of Hebrews in a crescendo of powerful insights including how the Lord will (no not and) never leave or abandon us (13:5), and its closing benediction: “Now may the God of peace who by the…