“That we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4) First Kings Chapters Twenty-one and Twenty-two Reaching For Forbidden Fruit My sainted great-grandfather wrote a book entitled “A Christian Physiology.” It has provided some good family entertainment, for he seemed to believe that gluttony was the root of nearly every human physical ailment. I don’t believe the writer… Read More »LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That we might have hope” (Romans 15:4) First Kings, Chapter Seventeen Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath Through the prophet Elijah the Lord let King Ahab know that a drought was coming. This drought, brought on by Ahab’s harlotry with false gods, caused hardship for the believer as well as the unbeliever. The Lord provided… Read More »LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4) First Kings, Chapters One through Eleven Sophomore Solomon As I am writing this, our nation is in the midst of that down and dirty, mud slinging, hand wringing, finger pointing, misrepresenting debacle known as our election process. Oh, if only it was more simple, we say. If only… Read More »LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That We Might have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Second Samuel, Chapters Eleven and Twelve David’s Fall and Repentance Lust, adultery, deceit, murder, and scandal are words that could be torn from the headlines of most any newspaper today. What kind of individual do you expect to read about in these sordid tales? Low brows to be… Read More »LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That We Might Have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Genesis Chapters Twenty-nine To Thirty-two Working For A Living Labor Dispute! Unfair Practices by Employer Causes Disgruntled Employees to Walk Out. Higher Wages Demanded! Headlines such as these can be found nearly daily in our newspapers, and they aren’t only talking about the ballplayers. Does management in our… Read More »Genesis Chapters Twenty-nine To Thirty-two Read More

Installations As authorized by President Daniel Fleischer, I installed the Rev. Terrel L. Kesterson as pastor of Living Word Lutheran Church, Hendersonville, NC on May 7, 1995. –Glenn A. Oster With the knowledge of President Fleischer, I ordained and installed, on June 25, Robert McDonald as pastor of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stambaugh,… Read More »Announcements Read More

“That We Might Have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Genesis Chapters Thirty-nine And Forty Joseph Sold Into Slavery “Bang” goes the gavel. “Sold!” cries the auctioneer. Then comes the rush of thoughts and feelings: accomplishment, elation, relief, satisfaction. Yet these are only the thoughts and feelings of the buyer and seller; what of the thing sold? What?… Read More »LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That We Might Have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Genesis Chapters Forty-five Through Fifty Jacob’s Move To Egypt Jacob had had a hard life. The flight from his brother, the deception of his uncle Laban, the loss of his beloved Rachel in childbirth, evil reports about the behavior of his elder sons, and the supposed death of… Read More »LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That We Might Have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Exodus Chapters Three And Four Are You Prepared To Lead? Teachers are preparers. We prepare notes, lesson plans, units, field trips, and so on. But most importantly we prepare students. What do we prepare our students for? Hopefully it’s not for our notes, lesson plans, units, and field… Read More »LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That We Might Have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Exodus Chapters Thirty-two Through Forty and Numbers Chapters Six Through Twenty-one Idolatry And Rebellion: 40 Years Of Mercy “How could they have been so foolish!” I don’t know how many times this thought has crossed my mind as I’ve studied the Old Testament children of Israel. As I… Read More »LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That We Might Have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) Joshua Chapters One Through Five Passing On The Promised Land “What a trip!” We often hear such a phrase coming from the lips of parents at the end of a challenging vacation with the kids. Things don’t always go as planned. The children may not always cooperate. Adults… Read More »LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That we might have hope” (Rom. 15:4) First Samuel, Chapters Eight Through Fifteen Saul vs. Paul: Arrogance vs. Humility We recall in our Old Testament Bible history that the children of Israel were tired of being different from their surrounding nations. As a result they demanded that Samuel make them a king such as other… Read More »LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More

“That We Might have Hope” (Rom. 15:4) First Samuel Chapters Seventeen To Twenty David and Jonathan: A Formula for Friendship This past summer I had the privilege of speaking at my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. The number of relatives present may have been impressive, but what struck me was the number of friends. One can… Read More »LESSONS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Read More