By Brother Guy Ames Jesus gathered his disciples at their Passover meal and his “last supper” before his crucifixion. Perhaps as he lifted one of the cups of wine he began talking about vineyards, grapes and growth when he told them, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch […]
By Brother Stephen Rankin Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) For whatever reason, men are infamously resistant to asking for directions when they are traveling. My dad used to say, “I’m not lost, I just don’t […]
By Brother Matthew Henson As I drive in the Midwest of the United States to events during the Spring months of the year, I witness the evidence of the changing seasons. I see the foliage return to the trees and the beautiful spring flowers busting forth from the ground adding color to the expansive green. […]
By Brother Guy Ames “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” John 10:11 Have you ever visited a shepherd or seen sheep being sheared? Have you ever watched a sheep dog work a flock of sheep or heard the bleating cries during lambing season? Most of us […]
By Sister Cheryl Jacobs Jesus said: “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:9-10) In Israel in Jesus’ time, […]
By Brother Guy Ames Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). The apostle John used the contrast of Light and Darkness throughout his writings, declaring Jesus, Light of the World. In his gospel he writes, “In him […]
By Brother Gary Wheeler If you had 30 seconds to introduce yourself, what would you say? You’d share your name, where you live, your marital status, what you do for a living. You might add where you go to church and maybe your likes and hobbies. In the end, you’ve given someone else a glimpse […]
By Brother Matthew Henson In life sometimes we make what should be natural more complicated. We look for programs or books that will teach us how to be a better person or that will help us be better at talking to people about what is important to us. Yet, I have found so often, new […]
By Brother Matthew Henson I am known in our family as a “question asker.” It is not uncommon for people in my life to call me and say, “I need some of your questions.” These questions are penetrative in hopes of helping the person assure they have considered all the possibilities in the present situation. […]
By Brother Matthew Henson [Editor’s Note: Last week in our introduction of this month’s Encouragement Email theme, we misstated that the E. Stanley Jones Foundation had published the 100th Anniversary expanded edition of The Christ of the Indian Road. The publisher of the new edition was Abingdon Press. We are grateful for their commitment […]
