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  • BREAKING NEWS: Build Your Hopes On Things Eternal

    Michael J. Brooks|Mar 1, 2024

    The college I worked for asked me to go to Washington, D.C. for a seminar with the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities. I didn’t have to be asked twice! It was a great several days on the CCCU campus a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol. I met with 30 or 40 college students who were interning in government that semester. We later invited a CCCU rep to our campus in Marion to explain the “Best Semester” program, and as result, had a number of our students to attend one of the...

  • Fair Winds and Following Seas

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Mar 1, 2024

    Sailors have often used this phrase as toast or a nautical blessing for many years. Some say it originated in the Hawaiian Islands as a wish for safe travels on the sea and still others say it came from a poem or literary work. Either way, we know it came from sailors or people very familiar with voyaging upon the oceans. I do know this nautical phrase is often used in the US Navy. “Fair Winds” is a nautical blessing or a prayer for good weather with the winds blowing your sails in the...

  • We Don't Want Your Money

    Michael J. Brooks|Mar 1, 2024

    I was the new pastor still learning my way around when Jim came to see me. He was chair of the budget and finance team. He wished me well, then shared a concern. “The committee met lately, and we have an issue with the visitor’s envelopes you’re using,” he said. “We believe we shouldn’t ask visitors for money.” Churches used to welcome visitors and give them a card requesting contact information and sometimes a ribbon to wear. This was before we learned to call them “guests” an...

  • The Night Is Coming

    Michael J. Brooks|Mar 1, 2024

    She sat next to me at the hair salon. She leaned over and said, “Mister, has anyone ever told you that you have a striking resemblance to Harrison Ford?” Of course, I was pleased with my introduction to her, and immediately felt gratified that she thought I looked like a movie star. I told a friend about this later and he deflated me. “Well, Harrison Ford is a bit ‘long in the tooth’ now!” he said. Ouch. Anyway, this was my introduction to Cherry Starr, wife of legendary quarterback...

  • The Serenity Prayer

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Feb 1, 2024

    God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever and ever in the next. Amen The...

  • Happy New Year "Adventures" In 2024 (Instead of Wasting Time on New Years Resolutions)

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Jan 1, 2024

    Let 2024 be the year of new adventures! Plan out new adventures instead of wasting time on New Year's Resolutions. Did you know that for 92% of people, New Year's resolutions fail? The result is often discouragement, and we end up feeling like "New year, same me." Try something different this year. Try planning New Year Adventures. So, what are some New Year Adventures you can plan for 2024? Plan Fun Adventures With True Friends "Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R. Tolkien, The...

  • The CHRIST of Christmas… Why Christmas Is Such A Wonderful Season For Christ Followers!

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Dec 1, 2023

    The Relevance: Through CHRIST God came to earth! “The Word (Jesus) became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” -John 1:14 NIV “ The Virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,,and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) -Matthew 1:23 NIV Christmas is relevant for you and me, because Jesus Christ came to earth on that first Christmas to reveal God’s heart towards us. The wonder of Christmas is just as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago, because Jesus is...

  • Legacy

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Nov 1, 2023

    In the world of sports, G.O.A.T. Stands for the “Greatest Of All Time”. In the sports world there are several people who come to mind: Tom Brady in the NFL has won 7 Super Bowls; Michael Phelps, the swimmer, has won 28 Olympic Medals of which 23 were Gold; Michael Jordan is arguably the best NBA player who ever lived; Roger Federer won 8 Wimbledons and 20 Grand-slams; Lionel Messi is the most decorated soccer player ever and is the king of the soccer world with 44 titles and 42 trophies....

  • Legacy

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Oct 1, 2023

    The Three Big Impact Quesions Several years ago I read about a survey that was taken of 100 people over the age of 90. They were ask this simple question: If you had your life to live all over again, what would you do different? The top three responses were: 1. I would reflect more. 2. I would risk more. 3. I would invest more in things that outlast me. These three responses served as a catalyst to me and caused me to start thinking about the impact I wanted to make with my life. I want to live...

  • Legacy

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Sep 1, 2023

    This series on “Legacy: Outlive Your Life” will be a three part series focused on what I call “The Big Three Life/Legacy Questions”: 1.The Heart Question: Is my heart growing bigger? 2.The Joy Question: Is my joy going deeper? 3.The Passion Question: Is my passion getting hotter? In part one we will focus on the heart question. Is my heart growing bigger? In other words, is my love for God and for others growing bigger? Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” -John 15:12...

  • Truth Is Like A Lion

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Aug 1, 2023

    Two of my favorite truth quotes are: “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” -Jesus, John 8:32 And … The Apostle Paul states, “ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth.” -1 Corinthians 13:6 God is truth. When we tell the truth, we live as God wants us to live and as God has commanded us to live. “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.” Or “You shall not lie.” -Exodus 20:16 When we lie, we go against what God expects of us, and we...

  • Do The Hard Stuff!

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Jul 1, 2023

    Over the years, I have witnessed hundreds of people fall away from God and the church. Many of these were avid believers that faithfully followed Jesus, passionately worshipped every Sunday and boldly witnessed to their faith. And they simply walked away from it all. What happened to them? Why did they simply walk away from God and their faith in Christ? Some may ask, “Why and how did they backslide?” I am convinced that the major reason people fall away from God and the church is not...

  • "REFLECTIONS" Shiny Happy Christians

    Michael J. Brooks|Jul 1, 2023

    It’s been a season of hard-charging faith documentaries, including “The Secrets of Hillsong” and “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets." Both saddened me. I never watched any of the Duggar series on TLC, though I was aware of the basic plot through word-of-mouth. The “Shiny” documentary intertwines with the ministry of Bill Gothard, the Duggar’s mentor, with whom I’m more familiar. Gothard was popular in the faith community of the 80s and 90s. A pastor friend encouraged us,...

  • The Three Big C's

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Jun 1, 2023

    Congratulations to all the High School and College graduates! On behalf of all of us in the cities, towns and communities across Alabama, we honor your accomplishments, and we are proud of each of you! No doubt all of you have been blessed, encouraged and challenged by some great Baccalaureate Addresses and Commencement Speeches. But, may I add my three cheers and offer “Three Big C’s” to think about as you step out into your next season of life? This advice also applies to all who wish...

  • Unleash His Power within You

    Dr. Lester Spencer|May 1, 2023

    Would you love to experience fresh power in your life? You can! Many people feel powerless in so many areas of their lives. Many feel powerless to change their circumstances, their anxieties, their worries, their relationships, their marriages, their children, their financial conditions, their jobs, their bad habits, their addictions, their attitudes and so many other things in their lives they would like to change. Did you know that Jesus came to offer us the power to change as well as the...

  • What Are You Betting Your Life On?

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Apr 1, 2023

    Everyone is betting their life on something! What are you betting your life on? I am betting my life on the fact that Jesus is who he said he is! “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” - Jesus, John 14:6 I am the way. Jesus said this in a conversation with the disciples at the last supper. He had just told the disciples that he must go away. And that they knew the way to where he was going. He was speaking about his arrest later that night and...

  • THE RESURRECTION? THERE MUST BE SOME OTHER EXPLANATION...

    Apr 1, 2023

    John Eidsmoe Did Jesus really rise from the dead? That's hard to believe, some say. Isn't there any other explanation? Yes, there are other explanations -- if you have enough faith to believe them. Here are a few: "He just swooned" In his 1966 book The Passover Plot Hugh Schonfield popularized an alternate explanation: Jesus didn't really die on the Cross; He merely feel into a coma and later awakened. Sounds reasonable, except for a few problems: • Besides the scourging and the crown of...

  • The Biggest Trap - The Spirit of Offense

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Mar 1, 2023

    Would you say you are easily offended? Or would you say, like most people do, “I have thick skin so I am not easily offended.” But I would say to you that all of us can be offended, and all of us will be offended and probably many times by many people. Being offended is an inevitable part of life. Even Jesus said so…. “It is impossible that no offenses should come…” Jesus, Luke 17:1 NKJV In other words, it is impossible to avoid being offended by someone. Offenses are inevitable. If...

  • Yes! In 2023, you can be an "Overcomer"!

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Jan 1, 2023

    Marcus Luttrell, a former Navy Seal, wrote a book about the deadliest day in Navy Seal history. The book was entitled Lone Survivor and was later made into a very successful movie starring Matt Wahlberg as Marcus Luttrell. Marcus and three other Navy Seals were sent on a secret mission into the mountains of Afghanistan in 2005 to attack top Taliban leaders who were gathering in a small village for a high level meeting. It was supposed to be a quick in and out mission. But things went south...

  • Why Celebrate Christmas?

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Dec 1, 2022

    In his book, The Purpose of Christmas, Rick Warren states, “Regardless of your background, religion, problems or circumstances, Christmas really is the best news you could get. Beneath all the visible sights and sounds of Christmas are some simple yet profound truths that can transform your life for the better here on earth and for forever in eternity.” Pastor Rick is exactly right! Here are three simple reasons why we should celebrate Christmas and why it can have a profound impact on our...

  • Dangerous Encounter with African Elephants

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Nov 1, 2022

    Several years ago, I took my daughter on a medical mission trip to southern Zimbabwe. Ciara had just graduated from high school and was about to begin nursing school. We were working with our ministry partners there, Saving Safaris; while I helped with drilling wells and renovating schools, Ciara worked in medical clinics fitting people with glasses and volunteering at Mutare Provincial, a Methodist mission hospital that has been around for decades. It was a wonderful time with my girl, who seal...

  • Attitudes and Opportunities

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Oct 1, 2022

    In my life journey, I have discovered that attitudes and opportunities go hand in hand! We must seek to keep a good attitude in the midst of life’s ups and downs so that we can actually recognize opportunities when they appear. I like the attitude of the young lieutenant in this story: After World War II, a general and his young lieutenant boarded a train in England. The only seats left were across from a beautiful young lady and her grandmother. The general and the lieutenant sat facing the...

  • The Man in the Arena

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Sep 1, 2022

    I think one of my favorite U.S. Presidents would have to be Teddy Roosevelt. He was so full of life and accomplished a great deal. “The Man in the Arena” is also one of my favorite quotes: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short aga...

  • Visionary Leadership And The Two Biggest Land Deals in U.S. History (That Almost Never Happened)

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Aug 1, 2022

    The two biggest land deals in U.S. history almost never happened and many critics thought at the time that they were two of the worst mistakes in American history. How wrong the critics were…. The real estate industry may see some large land deals these days such as the $2 billion Antilla building in Mumbai or the 105,000 square foot mega mansion in Los Angeles known as “The One” which recently listed for $295 million and is the most expensive listing in the U.S. right now. But these pale...

  • Burn The Ships

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Jul 1, 2022

    When I was in seminary I served as the Volunteers in Mission Coordinator for all the United Methodist volunteer mission teams that came to serve with the Methodist Church of Mexico. I served directly under Methodist Bishop Alejandro Ruiz who was the Bishop of the Central Conference of the Methodist Church of Mexico. My territory included all of central and southern Mexico so I traveled with teams extensively in this region of this beautiful country. On one my journeys I went to visit the...

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