As we begin to look in the congregation for men who will desire to accept leadership of our flock, we must look among our numbers for those qualified as scripture lists, and to be fulfilled in the grace of God through prayer, knowledge, and understanding, within the wisdom as put forth from God.

This is not just a question but a choice. We face many choices in this life, but so few that affect our eternity. And we must commit to those choices in a prosperous way to come to Jesus and live eternally with Him.

Perhaps this is the playful and naïve answer we give when the obvious implication points directly at us. When we are guilty in our sin, as we all are, is this the game we play with our conscience? God has called us to obedience and our answer should clearly state, it is I!

While this may sound like a good recommendation, if your eternity means anything and if a life of peace during your life now means anything, then it is a commitment to the obedience of the Savior's invitation you seek. The unity and fellowship of God's children is a happiness that can only be found in a common faith of the hope Jesus Christ provides.

Certainly, like any Lord's day Sunday, it's the Father's day. But we'll take this occasion to search the characteristics of our heavenly Father to see the love of a Father we can be the child of and to remain with Him forever.

God deserves our full attention and highest priority. In our commitment to Him, we must stop, remove the distractions, and devote ourselves to Him and His will for us. Anything less pushes God out of our lives - a very dangerous place to be.

Faith needs to begin at home. Of course, faith needs to first exist with parents. A marital relationship needs the bonds of belief in the one and true God. Children need to see and experience the love of God as seen in parents. From this first love, a child can develop a love for God and the church. From one generation to the next we must grow.

The miracles of Christ can reveal many things besides the certainty of God's power. Many times, even before Christ, water is a theme central to the scenario and the story. We find great symbolism through contact with water, burial in water, the healing nature of water, and the life we have in water provided by Christ - living water, healing water, salvation that is found in grace from God, through Jesus Christ. The power of Christ!

Here are some thoughts about the unique and virtuous qualities of the blessing we call Mother. Consider the protection, sustenance, providence, and the life-giving responsibilities of a Mother -- as near to God for each of us that you could realize!

To wear the name of Christ, we are to be like Christ. A Christ-like quality is to be endeared to one another in compassion. This is an understanding for others and should compel and move us to action to resolve the matter. Most importantly is the compassion to be there for someone.