I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. After his personal plea (“become like me”), Paul begins to give specific insight to the Galatians. He does this first of all by taking their own perspective.
Join Dr Richard Parrott as he leads us through Galatians 4:12-5:1.
View More Paul’s Leadership Crisis Galatians 4:12-5-1
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as Crucified.
View More Christ, and Christ Alone!
These are grand words and we must be careful with them. Be careful with the word parish. It means death. It certainly looks like Cheryl has died. In Christ, we have a new set of eyes. In Christ, death is not a dead end street but an open door to a new life in God. Death is entrance into the presence of God, perfect and full. Death in Christ is hope for the day when the whole world will be made new in Jesus.
View More John 3:16, For Cheryl Hales Memorial
God brings moments of inner healing to your life, moments that almost pass by unless we see them and give God the praise. Here are three examples:
You hurt because of what someone said or didn’t say…
View More The Living Spirit of the Living God
Lord, I can change the way I spend and, to some degree, the way I earn. But, the deeper change is more challenging. Daily bread becomes an obsession. It becomes something to fret over. It quickly is all consuming. This is an issue of presence; its presence in my thoughts and fears can be cancerous. The worries of daily bread start to eat me alive.
View More Give us this day our daily bread…
I must claim that last Sunday’s class was an answer to prayer. If you were not there, class began promptly; Dr. Parrott spoke about Paul’s message to the church in Galatia concerning being saved by grace alone; Dr. Parrott entertained some questions, comments, and discussion; and then the class shared announcements and prayer concerns before being dismissed right on time. It was all great. You see, I had asked God for just such a miraculous balance. The balance, like our visitors, confirmed the spiritual health of our small group. PTL.
View More Friends of Koinonia (Dr. Parrott’s Sunday School Class) President’s weekly Email
As we reach the end of summer and officially move into fall in just a few days, I wanted to share one more story of summer. The story took place 45 years ago, and, yes, it really happened!
It was early June. We were the first group that summer. A week of camping on the shores of Spirit Lake would be the high point of the season for this little troop of Boy Scouts. Our planning began the previous fall. Each weekly meeting increased our anticipation. The first Friday in June was the last day of school. Two days later, on Sunday afternoon, we were setting up tents, inflating mattresses, and envisioning the adventures before us. It was a boy’s dreams come true.
View More It was Cold! (A Story for Summer’s End) A True Story
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
Matthew 16:26
Helping people take hold of the deeper priorities of life is something I do in a seminar exercise called, “Below the Bottom Line.” Everyone is given a blank sheet of paper.
View More Below the Bottom Line
It was my oldest son’s 5th birthday (that was more than 25 years ago). His grandfather (my dad) wanted to send a special present. I told my father, “This is simple. He wants a two-wheeled bike, but he will need training wheels.”
View More Scrooge in May: A Story of Forgiveness
Here is a story gathered from the “internet-highway” many years ago. If you have read it before, you will enjoy it again. If you have not, you are in for a treat. I have shared this at scores of leadership gatherings:
The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
View More Amigos: A Story of Priorities