Last night, I stayed up reading half of a book, authored by a sister in our church family.  Marilyn Peters wrote Paw Prints of the Tiger (ACW Press, 2006).  Her latest is Stripes of the Tiger:  Paws for Reflection (Xulon Press, 2007).  Halfway into the first book and I confess to you – I’m hooked on Marilyn’s devotionals.  Of course, I am biased.  Marilyn is one of the most sensitive and tender sisters you will ever meet . . . and a crucial prayer intercessor in Idaho Falls. 

Gaining her permission this morning, I provide for you one of her devotional entries from Paw Prints of the Tiger:

 The Real Thing 

“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3)

Our Christmas tree in Bangladesh consisted of a cluster of branches from a casuarina tree.  Daddy tied the branches together on a center pole, stuck the pole in a pail of sand, and voila, it almost looked real!  He added a few lights and my sister and I decorated it with homemade paper chains and strung popcorn.  Our bearer chuckled, for he had found us the branches after seeing pictures of real trees on our Christmas cards.  He had solved for us the riddle of what to do, as there are no firs nor pines in this tropical country, and the ubiquitous banana trees didn’t lend themselves to the occasion.

The tree symbolizes for me artificial attempts to appear as Christians to the world.  We act the part, look like the real thing and so deceive ourselves with outward good deeds, church activities, and profession of faith. (more…)

“Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil” (Isaiah 31:2).

Can God create evil?  What about Isaiah 45:7?  Or is this verse considered among so many others just the words of a fallible redactor and not a true reflection of God?

Which leads me to this question; did God create a literal hell? (more…)

Late last night, I was looking at Isaiah 31.

Isaiah 31:3 is a thunderclap to God’s people to not trust in men.  And just thinking about this verse, I know why.  The contrasts between God and men is unfathomable.

On Sundays, I have had the privilege to teach an energetic group of 4th – 6th graders.  What an opportunity to minister!

This morning, I read to them some of the words that I penned last night: (more…)

This will be the first of many upcoming HI4LDS interviews with previous Mormons.

TODD:  In Idaho Falls, there is a wonderful couple, Tom and Faye Sauerbrun, who are members of our church family.  It was Faye, in particular, a great Precepts Bible study coordinator and teacher, who introduced me by email to her good friend, Trudy Stubbs, who had moved with her husband away from Idaho Falls due to a job-relocation.  It is my joy to spend a little time here with Trudy via internet to learn about God’s marvelous dealings in her life.  So to begin, Trudy, during your childhood and teenage years, what was your perception about God and the Bible? (more…)

Today’s frontpage of USA Today (Thursday, September 27, 2007) – “Which state has the fastest-growing economy?”

With all due respect to Phoenix, Las Vegas and Orlando, the heart of American’s biggest economic boom is right here in Idaho. (more…)

Jacob over at New Cool Thang is right.

If there is any topic that causes my mind to explode with passion over doctrinal differences with my LDS friends, this is it.

But godly evangelicals, from the 18oo’s and stretching into the new millennium, don’t murder Mormons because of these beliefs.  We don’t use pistols.  We use pens.  And we wield pens to share the contra because we love.

Thinking of heart issues . . .

Last service with Dave Shumate

You Are the Key (John 4:7, 9)

7 – There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water.  Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. . .

9 – Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?  for the Jews has no dealings with the Samaritans.

The Savior showed interest.  He spoke to her.  He asked of her.

What can you do?  (more…)

1.  Today, I became acquainted with the ministry of Baptist Youth Mission (BYM), headquartered in Sinclair, WY.

2.  I enjoyed seeing again the new video release of MTT Ministries in England, Ireland, and Scotland.  The organ in the historic John Knox church is incredible.

3.  Good reports on Fellowship Baptist Church in Meridian, Idaho.  Jeff and Chris are good brothers.  This new church plant is no longer under missionary status.

4.  Elmo Parish has put together a Scripture saturated, Christ-centered nine study lesson series, “The Person and Ministry of Jesus Christ.”  I picked it up.  The front cover highlights some quotes by Harold Lindsell and Charles J. Woodbridge.

“The human predicament finds its solution in Christ.”

“The Person, ministry, and passion, and continued existence of Jesus Christ are central to Christianity.  While we believe and accept all that Jesus taught, the essence of our faith is our personal relationship to Him as the Son of God and Savior of our souls.”

“To rescue man from everlasting death He laid aside His garments of transcendent light, entered this world of woe as the immortal Son of God, ‘took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him . . . ‘ ” (Phil. 2:7-9).

5.  Also, I really need to gather a group of guys and head for the mountains for an Idahoan backpacking trip with Monte Leavell.

It is a sticky, controversial topic in America.  But in addressing the issues, Dave handed out seven page handouts to the listeners.  Excellent stuff.  Again, if your constant source of information on this theme has been “republican fundamentalist” (my choice of expression) talk radio, download this session for listening when it eventually appears on the church website of Grace Baptist Church. (more…)

About a half mile to the west of our church building in Ammon, Idaho is the best burger joint in the country.

Today, in West Valley City, Utah, my family ate a nice meal at Cracker Barrel.  But I did notice the food establishment located east, not too far down the street from Grace Baptist Church.

Arctic Circle!

This place is my all-time favorite.  What fast-food businesses even compare?