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First Frost – Reminiscing on TU

September 24, 2012 By Seth Leave a Comment

During my college years at Taylor University, one of my favorite things was when Dr. Jay Kesler, my mentor and friend, recited the beginning of a poem by James Whitcomb Riley before giving his message in one of the fall chapel services each year.  In honor of Jay and of the first frost in Batesville, Indiana, I'm sharing the poem this morning.  I hope you enjoy! When ... [Continue Reading]

September 24, 2012 7:00 am Seth Leave a Comment

The Litmus Test for Wisdom

September 20, 2012 By Seth Leave a Comment

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  James 3:17 Something that I have been striving for over the years is wisdom.  I want to be a wise person, and I want to make wise decisions.  Why?  Because I know that, if I make wise choices, my life will go so much smoother than if I ... [Continue Reading]

September 20, 2012 7:00 am Seth Leave a Comment

The iPhone and My Life

September 18, 2012 By Seth Leave a Comment

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.  –James 3:16 Last January I indulged and became the proud owner of an iPhone.  It’s a beautiful thing, and it changed my life in ways that I never expected.  To be honest, I had been lusting after it for a long time, and when I finally got it I was thrilled.  That was until ... [Continue Reading]

September 18, 2012 7:00 am Seth Leave a Comment

Beware of Smokey!

September 13, 2012 By Seth Leave a Comment

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.  How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!  –James 3:5 Admittedly, I love fires.  Having missed autumn in the United States for the past two years, I’m ecstatic about being able to have campfires for toasting marshmallows and hot dogs.  Fires are great if they are used in the right ... [Continue Reading]

September 13, 2012 7:00 am Seth Leave a Comment

The Mysterious Spring of Water

September 12, 2012 By Seth Leave a Comment

With [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  My brothers, these things ought not to be so.  –James 3:9-10 It’s hard to imagine an underground spring that breaks through the ground with both hot and cold water.  Unless there’s some scientific anomaly ... [Continue Reading]

September 12, 2012 7:00 am Seth Leave a Comment

Pardon me, Mr. Perfect!

September 11, 2012 By Seth Leave a Comment

For we all stumble in many ways.  And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole tongue.  –James 3:2 One of my favorite movies from my teenage years is Dumb and Dumber.  There is a poignant scene where Lloyd drives several hours in the wrong direction on his and his friend Harry’s trek across the United States.  Harry ... [Continue Reading]

September 11, 2012 7:00 am Seth Leave a Comment

Think Twice Before Becoming a Teacher

September 10, 2012 By Seth 1 Comment

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.  –James 3:1 There is a tendency sometimes for people to want to share their knowledge with those who are younger or who aren’t as knowledgeable.  While this is a worthy endeavor, James warns teachers here that they have a great load of responsibility ... [Continue Reading]

September 10, 2012 7:00 am Seth 1 Comment

Is It Enough to Believe?

September 7, 2012 By Seth Leave a Comment

You believe that God is one; you do well.  Even the demons believe – and shudder!  –James 2:19 The Democratic Party made an interesting decision this past week to take the word “God” out of  its Party Platform.  The result was a firestorm of people claiming that the Dems don’t believe in God, and it led to one reporter sharing the statistic that 87% of Americans believe ... [Continue Reading]

September 7, 2012 7:00 am Seth Leave a Comment

Two Peas in a Pod

September 6, 2012 By Seth Leave a Comment

But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’  Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  –James 2:18 One of my all-time least favorite phrases is, “good Christian.”  I think it irritates me because there really is no such thing as a “good Christian.”  That’s the whole point of Gospel: we can’t be good.  If we could be ... [Continue Reading]

September 6, 2012 7:00 am Seth Leave a Comment

Don’t Give Me Judgment… I Need Mercy

September 4, 2012 By Seth Leave a Comment

For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.  Mercy triumphs over judgment.  –James 2:13 I’ll never forget an experience that I had during my first year of working in the church.  Every Tuesday at noon we held a “Pastor’s Prayer” time where people would come and pray with the pastors for requests that were shared by the church family.  One dear, old saint ... [Continue Reading]

September 4, 2012 7:00 am Seth Leave a Comment

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Seth is a pastor, author, and speaker who lives in Batesville, Indiana. He is married to Kari, and they have a daughter, Madelyn.

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