Weighing Philippians 1:21 “To Live Is Christ”

by Kevin Burton    When people think of you, what comes first to their mind? Or asked another way, what should  go into the first paragraph of your obituary?    I’m asking these questions today in the context of devotion to Christ, and Phil. 1:21 where the Apostle Paul writes “For to me to live …

Jesus Can Heal Your Hurt, Even Church Hurt

by Kevin Burton    I have a friend, more of a Facebook friend really, who I wish would read these words. Chances are, you know someone is her position.    The person I am thinking of could not be any more dynamic, energetic, positive, intelligent. Some people just have that charisma that makes them stand …

Cookies Crumble, But Our Love Marches On

by Kevin Burton    Late last month my wife Jeannette did something to jeopardize our marriage.    We were at Subway and I heard her say to the sandwich artist, “..and we want three chocolate chip cookies…”    Three chocolate chip cookies.    As you know, three is an uneven number. It’s quite a bit …

Your Christian Walk: War All Day, Every Day

by Kevin Burton    A lawyer asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment of all. But he wasn’t seeking information. This was spiritual warfare.    Here’s what Jesus said:    “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You …

No Such Thing As Truly Unanswered Prayer

by Kevin Burton    Parents don’t give children everything they want. They have reasons for saying no sometimes.    Your Heavenly Father is of course much wiser than earthly parents. So we shouldn’t be surprised sometimes, when even fervent prayers are met with silence.    “When we pray, we are engaging in the most precious …

Spiritual Growth Is A Lifelong Process

by Kevin Burton    Some people have little marks on their walls, measuring of the growth of their children. It’s a pleasure to mark their progress in gaining physical stature.    If your children aren’t growing that sets off serious alarm bells. You’re going to get an appointment with your doctor, without delay.    Yet …

Knock, Knock, Who’s There? Uh-Oh!

by Kevin Burton    Lois Blanchard wrote a 15-stanza poem. The first one gets her point across.    “If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two, if He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you’d do.”    You know what this is all about.  In the physical realm, if family is coming …

Quiet Mornings With God, In My Corner

by Kevin Burton    There is a recliner in my corner, beaten, battered and blue.    On the night I received the keys to the Mancave I was told by the proprietor, “You can get rid of that.” But I kept the chair because it was beaten, battered and blue.    You see my late …

Sarah’s Laughter Was Supplied By The Lord

by Kevin Burton    If laughter is the best medicine, as Reader’s Digest suggests, sign me up for the laughter of Sarah.    Not that it was all fun and games.    I’m talking about Old Testament Sarah, wife of Father Abraham, patriarch of the nation of Israel.    You’ve heard the saying about he …

True Heartbroken Soul-Searching Repentance

by Kevin Burton    From the tiny Old Testament book of Joel comes a big idea. It’s quite a good notion any time, perhaps more so on this New Year’s Eve.    If you’re doing some soul searching this time of year, you’re not alone.    Joel 2:13 is one of my memory verses. Alistair …