Serious About Scripture

Mentoring and motivating Christ’s people to live his words

Upon the Gibbous Moon

Upon the Gibbous MoonJim Elliff Upon the gibbous moonThe ward was lighted, clean;Outside were dark and gloomAnd aggravated fiends. “Now he, the boy, is born,”They said in muffled tones,Their face in furtive scornAnd gurgling up their moans Sweet mother rests her head,With evanescent smiles;Awhile she lay in bed,Who birthed the precious child. The child was gently placedInto his mother’s arms,Though all the vicious racedTo plot the baby’s harm And then, first signs were found And ancient lines reviewedThe entry first…

When Your Pastor Thinks He’s Brother Molehill

It might surprise you to know that many pastors who have generous smiles on their faces each Sunday are, deep down, very disheartened. Pastoring a church is difficult work. For one thing, it is usually thankless. I know there are some churches that seem to remember their pastors with much fanfare, but most churches do not ever esteem them. They don’t work for just the members ultimately, so they can get over it, but never hearing those words, “Thanks for…

Borrowing? Consider This Possibility

The Old covenant people of God heard a second telling of God’s commands and purpose for them on the Plains of Moab before Moses died. Within those commands, there was a pronouncement of a remarkable blessing for them related to lending and borrowing. There is a principle to consider in that anticipated blessing spoken so many years ago: “But there will be no poor among you; for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God…

Who is Writing Your Child’s Story?: A Letter From Jim

Dear CCW family, Would you like to write the script for your child’s future? Of course you would. Let’s face it, parents are concerned about their kids whether they’re 9 or 49. And they should be . . . in a certain way. When children are small, families are engineered for parental caretaking. Mom knows and cares if the teeth are brushed, and if they are brushed correctly. But a wise parent releases more and more of his/her meticulous oversight…