Stephen Armstrong

Stephen Armstrong

Teaching Director

Christian instant gratification

March 01, 2010

As a teenager growing up, I remember my parents' frequent complaining over my need for instant gratification. They counseled me on the importance of self-discipline and delayed satisfaction, and they warned of the dangers of imprudence and impatience. Naturally, I responded the way most teenagers do...I ignored my parents and took (nearly) every opportunity to indulge my flesh.

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Brian Smith

Brian Smith

Director/Treasurer

The real meaning of Christmas

December 28, 2009

Many Christians realize that Jesus was not born on December 25th, as many theologians place the likely time of Christ’s birth sometime between March and May. In fact, the early church didn't celebrate Jesus’ birthday, or at least there is no historical mention of it being observed as a special or holy day. So, how did December 25th become the day we celebrate Jesus’ birth?

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Brady Stephenson

Brady Stephenson

Contributing Author

The Exodus, Saul, and Purim

May 31, 2010

The story of the Exodus from Egypt is found (not surprisingly) in the book of Exodus. The story of Saul, the King of Israel, is found in 1 Samuel. The story of Purim is found in the book of Esther. These three stories are inextricably entwined in ways that may not be readily evident.  Let’s examine Scripture and see what we can find.

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Heather Jamison

Heather Jamison

Contributing Author

Broken Zippers

January 02, 2010

My eight-year-old daughter, Katerisha, came up to me this morning with a frown. In her hand was her prized possession that she had earned at school just the day before.
She had won her little pink billfold for good behavior and for working hard in Math.

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Melissa Church

Melissa Church

Staff Writer

How to Hoe a Row

July 17, 2010

This weekend we dismantled the bunk-beds in my son’s room and moved all the furniture around to his liking. Some of the furniture required my husband’s help to move. As he and I finagled a bookcase into a corner of the room, he had to caution me to take it easy pushing. I was surprised, and commented that I wasn’t aware that I was actually contributing that much to the effort. I thought it was significant to realize that I contribute more than I am aware.

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