July 2017 Blog Posts (10)

Have you ever been in a sailboat when it seemed there was absolutely no breeze? While experienced sailors somehow can catch the wind when there is no wind, amateurs like me often find ourselves dead in the water, going nowhere.

Sailing is such an apt metaphor for life. Winds come and go, blowing from one direction or another. But no matter what winds we encounter, we must resolutely set our sail and rudder toward our desired destination.

Yet this is a mystery in some…

Continue

Attending a baseball game recently, I had a flashback to my own playing days and this interesting reflection - I never hit a Home Run - not in Little League, Summer Baseball Camp, Pony League, High School, College, Semi-pro Softball, Church League Softball - not one Home Run. In a world where the Home Run is celebrated as the ultimate, I was a spray hitter, lots of singles, a few doubles, RBIs, walks, stolen bases, and sacrifice bunts, but no dingers. So was I a valuable member of the team?…

Continue

During my sabbatical in New Zealand and California a few months ago, I lived for seven full weeks with just the clothes in one fairly small suitcase. I had a few shirts, a few pants, some socks and underwear, and a toothbrush, razor, and stick of deodorant.

Yes, I did wash the clothes from time to time. But I traveled light and never lacked a thing.

Shortly after returning back to the Carolinas, I went through the arduous process of moving into a new residence. I couldn’t help…

Continue

I was a pretty awesome kid, if I do say so myself. Polite and well-behaved, I never recall talking back to my parents or any adult.

I worked hard at school and got good grades. My parents never had to worry about me skipping classes, getting into fights, using profanity, or disgracing them in any way. They were proud of me, and rightfully so.

Never…

Continue

The Better Way

 

© By Pastor Johnny Almond

 

What is more pleasing to the Lord; your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience?

Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22 NLT

 

Submission…

Continue

I’m always looking for current events that display Biblical principles for successful leadership. The decision by Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson last week to fire Dave Gettleman as the team’s general manager provides some excellent fodder for a discussion of good and bad leadership traits. After being fired in 2012, Marty Hurney was appointed as the interim general manager.

Here are just a few observations:

1. Timing is everything. As King Solomon pointed…

Continue

A Heart like God’s

 

© By Pastor Johnny R. Almond

 

The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart.

1 Samuel 13:14 NLT

 

 

I am the Infinite God—I search for…

Continue

Change Agent

 

© by Pastor Johnny R. Almond  

 

At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you with power,

and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different…

Continue

What is the difference between a discipleship program and an intentional disciple-making approach? An intentional disciple-making process can involve studying a book, but it’s important to know that the objective is not to study a book, it is to learn biblical principles in the study and ask the question: “Now that I know this, how should I apply this to my life?” The objective is to learn what Scripture says, and be obedient to what it teaches us about living our lives.



In part one… Continue

Harper’s Ferry – Shenandoah River

 

 

Heaven Help us!

 

© By Johnny R. Almond

 

Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and…

Continue