Author Archives: cchrisholland

About cchrisholland

...husband, dad, pastor, teacher, and chronic day-dreamer

Comparisons

Do you ever compare yourself to others? Maybe in appearance, talent, position, or achievement? In the first century, the Jews routinely compared themselves to non-Jews. They pointed out their lineage from Abraham as the definitive mark of superiority, but unfortunately that comparison was fatally … Continue reading

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Fair

Is God fair? Before you answer, consider the next question, “What’s “fair”?” Is it an agreement between differing sides, a declaration from a judge, or an evenly dispersed resource? The difficulty with “fair” is that most people have opinions and they … Continue reading

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Wisdom 3.19

“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew. My son, let them not depart from your eyes-keep sound wisdom and discretion; … Continue reading

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Images

There’s a popular store where you create your own stuffed animals. The process involves choosing a “shell”, filling it with fluff, accessorizing, then taking the new made-to-order friend home. It may seem like a modern concept, but many ancient cultures developed their … Continue reading

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Therefore

Christopher Columbus spent years gathering information. He concluded that the earth was round, therefore he set his sails to go west. On his journey, he discovered more than he could imagine and it was all because he was willing to … Continue reading

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Known

What will you be known for? After the flood, Noah’s descendants faced a series of questions. For example, “Where would they live?” and “How would their society function?” Under Noah’s great-grandson Nimrod, they decided to build a great city with … Continue reading

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Winning

Do you ever feel like the “bad” is winning all around you while the “good” struggles? Perhaps some days you wonder if it’s even worth the effort to seek out and do what’s right, but the Bible reminds us God … Continue reading

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Wisdom 3.5

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV Is your confidence built exclusively on the Lord, or … Continue reading

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9/11 and the Meaning of Sacrifice

True sacrifice isn’t a marketing slogan, it’s the willingness to give your “last full measure” for someone else.  On this day seventeen years ago, we witnessed people choosing to sacrifice themselves for others. They were first-responders, law enforcement officers, service … Continue reading

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Needed

Who needs you today? As Paul was building on his statement to be “living sacrifices”, he mentioned this: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” – Romans 12:15 NKJV So who needs you today? You have the … Continue reading

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The Inherent Value of Prayer

What’s the value of a prayer? Is it measured by results, eloquence, or word choice? Or is there inherent value in the child of God’s prayer itself? To get a complete picture, a remarkable passage of scripture in Revelation chapter … Continue reading

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Measures

Why do experienced builders still bother with measuring equipment? With all that practice, shouldn’t a seasoned carpenter be able to simply take a good look, mark, cut, place and nail without a measuring tape or level? Not exactly. The experienced builder knows … Continue reading

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The Unbreakable Law

Laws are often violated; either on purpose, through negligence, or lack of knowledge. However, there’s one that cannot be broken: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” – Gal. 6:7 NKJV … Continue reading

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Wisdom 3.3

“Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.” – Proverbs 3:3-4 NKJV Is God’s … Continue reading

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In the Midst of Evil

Sometimes evil in the world seems overwhelming, but take a moment to consider Noah. When instructions came for him to build an ark, the world was full of evil. Genesis 6:11 records it this way: “The earth also was corrupt before … Continue reading

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Do You Ever Get Discouraged?

Even when things go well, our spirit can sink into discouragement. The Prophet Elijah is a great example. After a spectacular victory on Mt. Carmel against the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), he fled the wrath of King Ahab … Continue reading

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The Lord’s Day 9-2-18

“I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” – Psalm 9:1-2 NKJV … Continue reading

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Known and Unknown

In a culture that places high value on celebrity, it’s refreshing to think about Enoch…remember him? Perhaps not, but that’s what makes his story so amazing. With only a couple of quick mentions in scripture, there’s more unknown about him … Continue reading

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Bitter Spirits

Why was Abel killed? Did a fierce argument cause the first murder? Was it a fight over land, gold, or a love triangle? No, it wasn’t any of those. He was attacked simply for doing the right thing. In Hebrews, he’s … Continue reading

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By the Way

Have you ever stopped to realize that if Jesus was physically sitting by you, He could work the apps on your phone better than a teenage whiz-kid? Sure, it’s a silly thought, but seriously, we tend to have a mental … Continue reading

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