tschram

tschram

  • Joined: August 30, 2022
  • Articles: 4993

Boasting only in Christ

We live in an age of what I like to call Rock star preachers. This is an age of programs, ministry models, best-selling books, and branded ministries. Many of these books and programs may indeed be helpful and some well-known preachers are truly proclaiming the message of God’s grace to mankind through Jesus Christ. A problem arises, however, when this produces a devotion to the messengers rather than to the message and results in divisions within the church. When I was still searching for my first pastorate I was even turned down from a ministry opportunity at a church because I use a theology book written by a competitor to a commentator that that church preferred. The two men were rivals precisely because their theology was nearly identical, but the staff where I was applying saw me as an outsider because I read the other guy.

There is more than meets the eye

Romans 11:33 “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” One of my great disappointments in life happened in Paris. It was mid-morning on a warm June day.

Not going to get there on our good works

Well if you know me you know I love weddings, any kind of wedding. I’ve been coordinating weddings and big events since I was 15 years old. In fact, when my husband was pastoring we gave away free weddings with a cake and punch reception. I provided all the decorations designed specifically for each bride. Our Church Ladies provided the cakes and punch according to the bride’s colors. I would spend weeks ahead of each wedding planning the decor, then a couple of days setting up tables and chairs as well as assuring the decor was just right. Because there is a lot of preparation that goes into weddings.

Tradition versus scriptures

In all ages of the world there have been those who cling to the idea of unwritten traditions. Jesus in Mark 7:1-8 speaks of the “tradition of the elders”, and refers to those who practice such as “hypocrites” and goes on to say that their worship is in vain and that their hearts are far from God. When we study the traditions of man, we find that they are unworthy of our faith and trust.

Christmas in July is this Saturday, July 16, in Greensburg

WHEN IT IS Christmas in July just about anything goes, and from the list of registered vendors for the July 16 event at the Lighthouse Worship Center in Greensburg that wish may come true. For local entrepreneur Patricia Fuller however, it’s all about tumblers.

Have you visited the Fromme-Birney Round Barn lately?

The Fromme-Birney Round Barn, south of Mullinville in Kiowa County has received some attention lately, part of a feature in Kansas Travel with KansasTravel.org. It was also named in Another 8 Wonders of Kansas Architecture list as a place to be sure to visit. And, it was part of a PBS Kansas (Wichita channel 8 ) documentary on March 21 called “Historic Buildings of Kansas - Part II.”

Arming teachers in a way that makes sense

I support the idea of allowing qualified and highly trained volunteer teachers the option of having safe, secure, and immediate access to a firearm in the classroom and at school. Sharon Hartin Iorio, dean emerita at the Wichita State University College of Education recently wrote an opinion column run by many newspapers in the state of Kansas noting my position and arguing it won’t improve school safety. Her argument is incorrect.