During the days of Jesus’ life, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Hebrews 5:7 God wants us to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ. It is impossible to become… Continue reading PRAY PASSIONATELY
Author: Cal
THE BIBLE AND CULTURE
The world is full of thousands of cultures and sub-cultures. Each of us is influenced by his culture. Which culture is right? Cultures differ in marriage customs, the way hospitality is shown to strangers, patterns of business behavior and communication, as well as the unique characteristics of food, clothing and houses. Culture is the particular… Continue reading THE BIBLE AND CULTURE
Getting Ready To Preach
Preaching has been described as the fine art of talking in someone else’s sleep. Most of us would plead guilty. We intend to rouse our people to spiritual vitality and dedication, but too often our listeners just yawn. The Bible doesn’t preach homiletics. There is not one set way to craft a message. There is… Continue reading Getting Ready To Preach
For Better, Forever – Dream Marriage
– Nothing starts out with such high expectations as marriage – when you go to a wedding, everyone is smiling, everyone is dressed up and everyone is on his best behavior – brides wear pretty dresses; grooms squeeze into tuxedos – people sing songs with the word “forever” – there’s a lot of sentiment, or… Continue reading For Better, Forever – Dream Marriage
For Better, Forever – Nurturing Your Marriage
– as we’ve gone through the series, people have been giving me all kinds of stories i. a man was involved in a serious car accident and when he awakened, he was in the arms of his wife – he began to talk to her and as difficult as it was, he began to say… Continue reading For Better, Forever – Nurturing Your Marriage
For Better, Forever – Women are weird; Men are a Mess!
This message was given jointly by Pastor Calvin Ratz and his wife Ruth Ratz – This morning, Ruth and I are going to try to explain why women are weird and why men are a mess – we’ve been married for 45 years – we love each other a lot more now than we did… Continue reading For Better, Forever – Women are weird; Men are a Mess!
For Better, Forever – The Fatal Flaw
– a while back I bought an expensive crystal serving dish for my wife. Shortly after getting it home, she was washing it in warm water. She did not hit it or drop it but as it was in the water, it broke in two pieces. Actually there was a flaw in the crystal dish… Continue reading For Better, Forever – The Fatal Flaw
For Better, Forever – Ground Rules
– it doesn’t take long into a marriage to realize that the person you married isn’t perfect EG. I read of a man who was attracted to a woman because she had a marvelous singing voice – well, they got married and went on their honeymoon – on the honeymoon, he discovered his wife had… Continue reading For Better, Forever – Ground Rules
What I Tell My Board Each Year
1. I expect you to be a people of prayer. Ministry can only function in an atmosphere of prayer. Problems are solved by prayer. Personality conflict issues are dealt with in prayer. God speaks and guides through prayer. Corporate prayer needs to be coupled with private prayer. 2. I expect you to be a people… Continue reading What I Tell My Board Each Year
Perseverance
But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. (Hebrews 10:36 (Msg). Getting started is easy; finishing is tough. God calls us to stick at our responsibilities till the job is done. The Bible word is perseverance. Paul finished his race; will you finish yours?… Continue reading Perseverance