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Dear SCC & Friends, Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these? For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.” ~Ecclesiastes 7:10 Update #35 How do we look at our nation and the world? Solomon wrote, That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say,…

Dear SCC & Friends, …He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet; so He guided them to their desired haven.                                                            ~Psalm 107:29 Update #34                  Fifty years ago this month, I was driving from Ft. Ord, Ca, to Army Airborne School at Ft. Benning, Ga. My Geometry teacher told me the shortest distance between two points was a straight line, and those were the days…

Dear SCC & Friends, His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.’                                                                                      ~Matthew 25:21 Update #33                  Some people like recognition and some people don’t, but we all need it even if it’s not our primary “love language.” God has created us that way, and to greater or lesser degrees recognition and affirmation remain central…

Dear SCC & Friends, Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, coming down upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever. ~Psalm 133 Update #32 The word “behold” is used over 1,500 times in the Bible. It means to take a serious and thoughtful look.…

Dear SCC & Friends, …but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. ~Philip. 3:12-13 Update #31             It goes so fast! Last week, Dudley and I celebrated our 48th wedding anniversary. We had a great time, and it…

Dear SCC & Friends, And my God shall supply all your NEEDS according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ~Philip. 4:19 Update #30      One of the earliest lessons in life is the difference between a need and a want. Distinguishing between needs and wants are markers on the road to maturity. Dudley and I have been blessed with ten grandchildren, and it is so enjoyable to see them develop at various stages of life. Two of these beautiful cherubs…

September 23, 2020 Dear SCC & Friends, Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. ~Acts 4:13 Update #29 Amazing! Observable confidence (boldness) that they shouldn’t have had because they thought they were uneducated and untrained, but were they?The disciples spent 3 ½ intense years under the tutelage and internship of the Son of God. They ate with Him,…

Dear SCC & Friends, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful…~Hebrews 10:23 Update #28 “How are you?” How often I hear, “I’m okay, just been going through a season of transition…COVID has been interesting, but we’re adjusting.” My question is, when haven’t we been in a transition? Even when things seem fixed and settled, life remains fluid and unfolding. Life itself is full of surprises and beyond our control, and Scripture…

Dear SCC & Friends, I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. ~John 8:12 Update #27      Each of us can reflect on certain events or points in time that could be called a defining moment. I’m not speaking so much of events that are ceremonial or customary in nature such as weddings, graduations, birthdays, etc. Rather, I’m referring to those unplanned or unexpected moments that…

Dear SCC & Friends, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. ~2 Corinthians 1:3 Update #26       The power of comfort should never be underestimated. Comfort as an action means to strengthen; to invigorate, to cheer or enliven, to console and give new vigor. A comforter as a person strengthens, encourages, supports. Comfort comes in many forms, physical, mental, social, psychological and spiritual. The God of all comfort…

Dear SCC & Friends, But earnestly desire the greater gifts, and I show you a still more excellent way. ~1 Corinthians 12:31 Update #25       When we earnestly desire something, it means we are focused, poised and hopeful for a certain outcome.. Spiritual gifts are not earned or merited but simply given by the Holy Spirit. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. ~1Cor. 12:7 Gifts are given regardless of character or maturity, and are to…

Dear SCC & Friends, Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. ~Philippians 4:8 Update #24 Last week I got to celebrate my birthday with my family. My dear wife, Dudley, thinks I may be a “birthday diva”…Actually, I’d like to think of it as the stopping of…