And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man….
Tag: faith
Culture Clash in Cambodia
As the plane soared above O’Hare Airport, the elevation change reflected the rapid change in my life situation. I was raised in small-town America, the child of a country church pastor, and very comfortable with my deep south Bible-belt social sphere. Until I married Forrest McPhail, I had never been on an airplane, and until…
Thorns
It was a lovely Saturday morning. I was still in my robe enjoying a second cup of coffee when the phone interrupted my tranquility. It was a good friend whose daughter’s world had just been shattered. She had come home from work the night before and found a note on the table from her husband…
Sincere or Misguided?
But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” And they heeded him because he had…
Count it Joy!
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke….
How is Your Faith?
Acts 5:12-16 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and…
Fear or Boldness?
Acts 4:1-22 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for…
My Transformed Candy Jar
A few years ago, I was at a ceramic shop in a town near where I live and there was a cute little jar that said “Thankful Jar.” I thought about what a great idea that was, went home, and immediately changed my useless candy jar into a thankful jar. Each time something happens that…
Amazed
Acts 3:1-11 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go…
Don’t Take Your Apron Off Yet!
We find mentioned in the Bible two types of servants: hired servants and bond servants. Hired servants receive wages and have certain rights. Bond servants (actually slaves) receive no wages and have no rights….
The Beautiful Spirit 