Always Keep That Fire Of Prayer Burning

by Kevin Burton    From the book of Leviticus and the story of Old Testament sacrifices, comes a never-outdated concept of ongoing prayer to God.    This is in follow up to messages by Dane Massey the last two Sundays on Page 7 on the importance and difficulty of prayer. This week we hear from …

Prevailing Prayer Is Free, But It Will Cost You

by Dane Massey      (Dane Massey is the former Pastor of Mulvane Christian Church. He is now in ministry in Houston, Texas.)      Matthew Henry said, “When God intends great mercy for His people, He sets them a-praying.”     Indeed, when God wants anything accomplished in His kingdom, He moves men to pray. God is …

The Discipline Of Prayer Is The Hardest

by Dane Massey    (Dane Massey is the former Pastor of Mulvane Christian Church. He is now in ministry in Houston, Texas.)      Spent this week thinking on fervent, earnest, effectual, prevailing, passionate prayer.  It has taken God forty-some years, three godly women who are now with Him, and adversities without number to develop in …

On Becoming A New Creation In Christ

by Kevin Burton    In certain animated cartoons you have seen, someone waves his arms, pronounces “presto change-o” and this becomes that. The old thing becomes a different thing.     Is it that way for a believer, becoming a new creation is Christ: Yes and no.    Faith in and surrender to Jesus Christ, converts …

Georgia (And Ray Charles) On My Mind

by Kevin Burton    Whether in jazz, blues, pop or country, the late great Ray Charles was not just comfortable but masterful.    Somebody asks you, “quick who was Ray Charles?” You’re probably going to say he was a soul singer.  You wouldn’t be entirely wrong but he didn’t see himself that way.    He …

God’s Grace Toward Us Is Truly Amazing

by Kevin Burton    My mom hates the expression “wrap my mind around” usually expressed in the negative as “I can’t wrap my mind around” this or that.    I’m going to invoke it here though, because I can’t wrap my mind around God’s amazing grace.    Before I go there, I need to back …

Mom’s Birthday ‘Celebration’ In The Hospital

by Kevin Burton    My mother spent her 89th birthday last month in a hospital ER room.  Yeah, she really knows how to celebrate.    I had a post about her 89th birthday 89 percent finished. That was about a month ago.  Had to scrap it.    On her birthday she fell. It was her …

Five Lessons On How To Read The Bible

by Kevin Burton     It was refreshing and helpful to receive in the mail recently, the booklet “What Every Christian Needs To Know About Reading The Bible” from Our Daily Bread Ministries.    There is no other book like the Bible. It can certainly be confusing and intimidating to read. Author Kevin J. Vanhoozer has given …

Are You Hungry For Spiritual Things?

by Kevin Burton    One of the top motivational tools of weight loss is the before and after picture. You’ve seen plenty of those I’m sure.    Those pictures, which are worth a thousand words, say, “You can do it!”     Now this is ridiculous, but what if we could show a picture of your …

Just Say “No” To The Fourth Crockpot

by Kevin Burton    You’ve been there I’m sure, where I was Sunday.    I called it “crawl out of it” day. Perhaps you can think of a better term. The idea is part  getting back into a normal routine and part creating a better routine.    I felt as if I hadn’t quite recovered …