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Miyamoto Musashi is a legendary Japanese sword-saint and philosopher who lived during Japan’s feudal period. He is undisputedly the greatest swordsman in the history of Japan, thanks to his record of 61 duels. He remained undefeated, and at the end of his life, Musashi crystalized all the wisdom he learned in his book, The Book of Five Rings. In it, this quote can be found: “I must say that to die with one’s sword still sheathed is most regrettable.” What…

Have you ever thought about the time that you have wasted? In Ecclesiates chapter 3, Solomon said everything has its time. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under Heaven.” Some ways in which we use our time may have little lasting value. But the things we do for the Lord and His kingdom will have an everlasting effect on us and the Kingdom and future generations. Do you remember Esther and Mordecai’s…

Anugrah Kumar, a Christian Post contributor, shares a strange offer from a Southfield, Michigan, attorney. Perhaps Walter Bentley was seeking publicity, but the law professor and Detroit-area lawyer offered his services for free to the “lucky” couple with the best break up story. He added his twist of irony by providing this “gift” on Valentine’s Day, a day so many in our nation use to demonstrate their love for their mate in a special way. Bentley claimed to have had…

When you read the gospels it is apparent that no one loved children more than Jesus. Jesus held children up as an example of the type of character that must be possessed to enter the kingdom (Matt. 18:1-5). He assured his disciples that the kingdom of heaven belongs to children and those like them (Matt. 19:13-14). While Jesus did not heal every sick person or raise every dead person from the grave it is interesting to see those who did…

Several of our classes have assistants to the Bible class teacher. She (or perhaps in select cases “he”) serves in a support role, helping students do handwork, find Bible verses, or occasionally keep order. These are vital roles, and often a teacher’s aid later actually becomes a teacher. Teachers’ aids are part of a great team and education system that benefits everyone in the classroom. There is a constant, pressing need for more teachers’ aids. I don’t mean in the…

We love to talk about resolutions and plans to make positive changes in the early parts of the new year. Something that is less emphasized in that process, however, is the acknowledgement of past mistakes and being aware of what needs to be addressed. For example, gym memberships spike in the new year as people with newfound resolve flock to their local gyms with lofty goals to transform their bodies. However, the downfall of many of these people—and the reason…

Thankfully, every Sunday, we notice sounds throughout our assembly – the wonderful sounds of babies and toddlers. I am so glad to hear it! Sunday morning services without the sounds of children are quite sad, and likely indicate a dying congregation. This eldership always wants to encourage our mothers and fathers to keep those children in church! To the young parents: Most of us have been where you are now. We understand and support you. We know it can be…

APPEAL. ANNOUNCE. ASSIST. ATTEND. It’s possible that you have seen these words on the Lehman Facebook Members Group page. On April 20-23, 2023, we will have some of the greatest men and women speakers in the entire brotherhood converging on our facilities to challenge us to make our Christianity more practical. They will motivate, encourage, and convict you. In addition to SEVEN of our members (David Chang, Dawson Eubank, Caden Hammer, Brittani Kemp, Hiram Kemp, Kathy Pollard, and myself), we…

God in his eternal kindness has granted us another year of life to serve him and one another. While no one knows for sure what this year will bring we can still be prepared to make the most of it. There will be opportunities for each of us to serve God and to glorify him. We should make up our minds ahead of time that we are going to do everything within our power to grow spiritually and to be…

You’ve seen the spoof, right? On my right shoulder stands the diminutive angel in white, encouraging me to do the right thing. On my left shoulder sits the little red demon with his pitchfork and tail, taunting me to do evil. Choose and receive the consequences, it usually goes. Choosing good means smooth sailing. Choosing evil brings a new companion. His name is Guilt. When one is burdened with guilt, its weight can be debilitating and feel as heavy as…

Have you ever had a spirited disagreement with anyone? Have you been filled with indignation over what you were convinced was their wrong view? If you have lived for any length of time, you have been incensed over the views and philosophies of others. But, you have not carried it as far as the Shammaites did around 66 AD. There were two great teachers in the time right before the incarnation of Christ, Hillel and Shammai. They frequently found themselves…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holiday season is typically a time of joy and excitement in our country. I hope you enjoy the holidays while maximizing your service to God. We should all do our best to capitalize on this time of the year and do everything during the holiday season to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). Here are four ways to glorify God during the holiday season. 1. Give More than You Receive…

Ruth Duccini was the last female “munchkin” from the iconic movie, The Wizard Of Oz, to die. She passed away in January, 2014, at the age of 95. She was four feet, four inches tall, and lived in Santa Monica, California. She was associated with that movie for all of her life and likely was reminded of her celebrity past every day. But do you know what she was most proud of? She always told people it was her role…

This month, our nation sets aside a special day to give thanks to God. While it is great to feel grateful for our many material blessings, the Christian also understands how much more of a debt of gratitude we owe to Him for the spiritual ones (Eph. 1:3). As you sit down to enjoy food, family, and fellowship next week, remember the most important gifts God has given. T ruth and time, the thunderous triumph o’er the tomb H eaven…

Near the end of Acts 18, we are introduced to a skilled and scholarly speaker named Apollos. However, when we first read about him in Acts 18:24-28 he is in need of correction because his knowledge about Jesus is incomplete. A Christian couple, Priscilla and Aquila, help to point him in the right direction. We all have friends and neighbors who are in a similar situation to Apollos. We can adopt some best practices from Priscilla and Aquila that will…

In recent years, the idea of dependency has gained a lot of negative connotation in our society. This is no surprise, since we see so much negative dependency all around us. The general American population has several different types of dependencies. Look at us with our smart phones, mindlessly scrolling and typing away for hours on end. What about our relationship with our TVs? Whether it be streaming movies and shows or catching sporting events, a lot of our culture…

Each of us lead very busy lives: church, church functions, school, work, family lives and the list could go on and on. Do we include God in our daily plans? James 4:13-14 says, “Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor…

There are occasions like family reunions, class reunions, church seminars, lectureships, and forums, and the like which allow us to see friends and loved ones sometimes for the first time in years. There is a joy and rejuvenation of spirit which comes along with such being brought together again. The reunion may seem to come at just the time we feel we needed it, to aid us in coping with trouble, temptation, or trials. A kind word or warm greeting…

I hope you always feel like praying, but here are five things to remember in the times when you would rather not pray. The Holy Spirit Helps (Rom. 8:26-27). While I wish I knew more about exactly how this happens I am content to know that it takes place. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray when we struggle with groanings that are too deep for words. We may bow our heads and believe we are on our own talking…

Concerning the relationship between truth and change, Tolstoy wrote, “I know that most men — not only those considered clever, but even those who are very clever and capable of understanding the most difficult scientific, mathematical, or philosophic problems — can seldom discern even the simplest and most obvious truth if it be that such as obliges them to admit the falsity of conclusions they have formed, perhaps with much difficulty — conclusions of which they are proud, which they…

What are spiritual disciplines? These are practices found in Scripture that help us with our spiritual development and growth. Bible intake, prayer, and meditation are some examples. Ideally, Christians who desire spiritual growth would engage in these disciplines on a regular basis. There is, however, one particular spiritual discipline that we often overlook. In fact, it might not even strike us initially as being a discipline. The most interesting part is that this is something that Jesus did often in…

I make the notation “GM” along with the date and place on my sermons to indicate that I preached that sermon in a gospel meeting. It is one of my homemade preacher shorthand notations. Growing up a “PK” (“preacher’s kid,” of course), I’ve got a lot of GM memories. I would not trade anything for them, especially the indelible imprint they made on me in shaping the adult I have become. Let me encourage you to bring your children and…

“Hypertrophy” refers to the enlargement of organs or tissues due to the increase in the size of its cells. This phenomenon is undesirable in certain contexts (e.g. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—the condition in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick and obstructs the pumping of blood), but it is an important concept in the case of general muscle growth. Our body repairs/replaces damaged muscle fibers by fusing fibers together to form new ones. This process increases the number of fibers as well…

As I think about the goals and desires of Lehman Avenue as it relates to the Great Commission, the words unqualified, inadequate, and incompetent come to mind when I think about my part in obeying that command. The work of a Christian can certainly seem overwhelming if we let it (2 Cor. 2:16). I am reminded of what Moses experienced when God called to him from the burning bush (Exod. 3:1-12). God had a great task for Moses. God was…

In 2011, I visited Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the town demolished by the great flood of 1889. David McCullough has written a compelling book chronicling that catastrophe caused, in great part, by careless men. In the visitor information center, I met an 85-year-old volunteer named Duane. He was a talker. After telling about the three floods that have struck the beleaguered city, he proceeded to tell me his life’s story. He said much, much more than I can include here, including how…