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The Carols Of Christmas

November 29, 2016 — Craig T. Owens

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, goodwill to men. (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

How many “old familiar carols” have you heard Christmas after Christmas, until the words have almost lost their meaning? If we’re not careful, any song repeated too often can lose the richness of its original intent.

There are some amazing messages in many of our old familiar Christmas carols, because many of those messages are saturated with the old familiar story of Redemption that the Bible tells over and over again.

Please join me this Sunday as we take a new look at the old familiar messages in our Christmas carols. These messages will bring a new appreciation of God’s love that was sung at Christ’s Advent, and reawaken the sweetness of meaning for this Christmas Day.

This has been an ongoing Advent series for us. To check out the Christmas carols we discussed in 2014, please click here, and the carols from 2015 are here. If you’ve missed any of the messages this Christmas, please check them out:

Little Is Not Insignificant (O Little Town Of Bethlehem)
The First Noël
What Child Is This Anyway?! (What Child Is This?)
I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Advent, Bible, Calvary Assembly of God, Christmas, Christmas carols, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, music, redemption, sermon. 7 Comments »

More Than A Carpenter (book review)

November 29, 2016 — Craig T. Owens

Holidays are usually really good times for Christians to start up a conversation about their faith. Especially Christmas. C’mon, Christ’s name is the main part of CHRISTmas, right?! But I realize as well that some folks are reluctant to begin such a conversation because they think they might be at a loss as to what to say. This is where More Than A Carpenter by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell will be an excellent ally.

Christians and atheists alike found More Than A Carpenter compelling reading when it was first published nearly 40 years ago. Now the book has been given a makeover, incorporating new discoveries that have further validated the book’s content, and adding a new chapter by Sean McDowell specifically addressing the “new atheists.”

Jesus is an historical character. He actually lived and walked and died and was resurrected in places that are verified by historical records. And yet Jesus was so much more than merely a person in history. His life impacted history in ways that are still being discovered today. His life is still changing the trajectory of people’s lives today.

Clearly Jesus was much more than merely a first century carpenter!

In easily-readable language, Josh and Sean arm you with all of the evidence you will need to have compelling conversations about Jesus.

You will learn about the historical accuracy of the authors who recorded the details of Jesus Christ’s life.
You will learn what science, philosophy and archeology verify about His life.
You will get insight into the arguments that some atheists use to deny Christ’s deity, and how you can offer alternative facts to counteract those arguments.
And you will hear about Josh’s personal life-changing encounter with this Carpenter from first-century Israel.

This is a phenomenal book for you to read as we head into this CHRISTmas season. This is also a great resource for you to put into the hands of someone who is skeptical or even antagonistic toward the claims of Christians. In short: you will be better prepared to have meaningful conversations with others after you have read More Than A Carpenter!

I am a Tyndale book reviewer.

If you would like to access a ton of great resources associated with More Than A Carpenter, I highly recommend you check out the Josh McDowell Ministry’s store by clicking here.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Advent, apologetic, archeology, argument, atheist, biblical history, book review, Christian, Christmas, crucifixion, history, Jesus Christ, Josh McDowell, philosophy, resurrection, science, Sean McDowell. 3 Comments »

Is Love Touchy-Feely?

November 28, 2016 — Craig T. Owens

One of my greatest joys is investing in people, and then watching them develop their God-given gifts. One such man is my friend Scott Troost.

I began a series at the beginning of the month talking about things I have come to appreciate, and I asked a couple of my friends to join with me. Last week Josh Schram shared his appreciation with wise counsel, and this week Scott shared what he’s come to appreciate about love.

Is “puppy love” real love? Is love even supposed to have a feeling? If there are no feelings associated with love, how can you know that you are indeed loving? Scott shares his personal journey on what he’s come to appreciate about love, and I sincerely hope you will watch this video of his message…

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: 1 Corinthians 13, 1 John, agape, Bible, Calvary Assembly of God, God's love, love, loved ones, relationships, sermon, video, YouTube. Leave a Comment »

Poetry Saturday—Rest

November 26, 2016 — Craig T. Owens

“I’m too tired to trust and too tired to pray,

Said one, as the over-taxed strength gave way.

The one conscious thought by my mind possessed,

Is, oh, could I just drop it all and rest.

“Will God forgive me, do you suppose,

If I go right to sleep as a baby goes,

Without an asking if I may,

Without ever trying to trust and pray?

“Will God forgive you? why think, dear heart,

When language to you was an unknown art,

Did a mother deny you needed rest,

Or refuse to pillow your head on her breast?

“Did she let you want when you could not ask?

Did she set her child an unequal task?

Or did she cradle you in her arms,

And then guard your slumber against alarms?

“Ah, how quick was her mother love to see,

The unconscious yearnings of infancy.

When you’ve grown too tired to trust and pray,

When over-wrought nature has quite given way:

“Then just drop it all, and give up to rest,

As you used to do on a mother’s breast,

He knows all about it—the dear Lord knows,

So just go to sleep as a baby goes;

“Without even asking if you may,

God knows when His child is too tired to pray.

He judges not solely by uttered prayer,

He knows when the yearnings of love are there.

“He knows you do pray, He knows you do trust,

And He knows, too, the limits’ of poor weak dust.

Oh, the wonderful sympathy of Christ,

For His chosen ones in that midnight tryst,

“When He bade them sleep and take their rest,

While on Him the guilt of the whole world pressed—

You’ve given your life up to Him to keep,

Then don’t be afraid to go right to sleep.” —Ella Conrad Cowherd

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: God's strength, peace, poem, poetry, prayer, rest, tired, trust. Leave a Comment »

Billy Graham On Gratitude

November 24, 2016 — Craig T. Owens

“We hurt people by being too busy. Too busy to notice their needs. Too busy to drop that note of comfort or encouragement or assurance of love. Too busy to listen when someone needs to talk. Too busy to care.”

“The smallest package in the world is a person who is all wrapped up in himself.”

“Gratitude is one of the greatest Christian virtues; ingratitude, one of the most vicious sins.”

“Grumbling and gratitude are, for the child of God, in conflict. Be grateful and you won’t grumble. Grumble and you won’t be grateful.”

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: appreciation, Billy Graham, Christian, encouragement, gratitude, grumble, quotes, thanks, thanksgiving, virtue. Leave a Comment »

Revival God’s Way

November 23, 2016 — Craig T. Owens

I am a part of a weekly gathering of pastors from around the country who are praying for revival. T.M. Moore, who organizes our prayer time, shared some fantastic thoughts about revival.

He said, “The better we know God’s word, way, righteousness, justice, and judgments, the more our prayers for revival will have the right focus, and be more likely to be heard and answered.”

By way of example, T.M. Moore shared some verses from Psalm 119. I think you will be able to spot the pattern pretty quickly—

…revive me according to Your word (v. 25)
…revive me in Your way (v. 37)
…revive me in Your righteousness (v. 40)
…revive me according to Your lovingkindness (v. 88)
…revive me, O Lord, according to Your word (v. 107)
…revive me according to Your justice (v. 149)
…revive me according to Your word (v. 154)
…revive me according to Your judgments (v. 156)
…revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness (v. 159)

Praying for revival never comes on our terms, it’s always on God’s terms. Revival is never focused on me, it’s always focus on God.

By the way, if you would like to join me and these other pastors in our weekly prayer for revival, please send me a message and I will get you all of the details.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: pastors, prayer, Psalm 119, revival, T.M. Moore. Leave a Comment »

8 Quotes From “Jesus Always”

November 23, 2016 — Craig T. Owens

Sarah Young does a masterful job in speaking the words of the Bible to us through the first-person voice of Jesus Christ in her book Jesus Always. Be sure to check out my review by clicking here. Below are a few quotes from this keepsake book.

“Train your mind to think great thoughts of Me! Many Christians are defeated by focusing mainly on less important things—the news, the weather, the economy, loved ones’ problems, their own problems, and so on. Granted, in this world you will have trouble, but don’t let troubles become your primary focus. Remind yourself that I am with you and I have overcome the world.”

“Be careful not to attach your sense of worth to your performance. When you’re dissatisfied with something you have done, talk with Me about it. … Your imperfect performance reminds you that you are human. It humbles you and helps you identify with flawed humanity. Since pride is such a deadly sin—the one that ultimately led to satan’s expulsion from heaven—being humbled is really a blessing. So thank Me for the circumstances that have diminished your pride, and draw near to Me.”

“Praying not only blesses you but provides an avenue for serving Me. Rejoice that you can collaborate with Me through prayer as I establish My kingdom on earth.”

“When the task before you looks daunting, refuse to be intimidated. Discipline your thinking to view the challenge as a privilege rather than a burdensome duty. Make the effort to replace your ‘I have to’ mentality with an ‘I get to’ approach. … Remember that My Spirit who lives in you is the Helper; ask Him to help you when you’re perplexed.”

“Do not despise suffering. It reminds you that you are on a pilgrimage to a far better place. … While you continue your journey through this world, be thankful for the comforts and pleasures I bless you with. And reach out to others who are suffering. I comfort you in all your troubles so that you can comfort others. Offering help to hurting people gives meaning to your suffering—and Glory to Me!”

“Your natural tendency when you’re feeling anxious is to focus on yourself and your problems. The more you do this, the more you forget about Me and all the help I can supply. This worldly focus only increases your anxiety! Let the discomfort you feel at such times alert you to your neglect of Me. Whisper My Name, and invite Me into your difficulties.”

“Today is the time to delight in the blessings I have provided. Since you don’t know what tomorrow will bring, make the most of what you have today: family, friends, talents, possessions. And look for opportunities to be a blessing to others.”

“Thank Me frequently; be on the lookout for My blessings, searching for them as for hidden treasure. Praise Me not only in prayer and song but in your words to other people. Tell them about My marvelous deeds; declare how great I am!”

I will be sharing more quotes from Jesus Always in the near future. If you want to be notified as soon as these quotes are posted, please subscribe by entering your email address in the right column.

I’ve also been sharing quotes from this book (and lots of other high-quality authors) on both Twitter and Tumblr. If you’re not following me there, please do so.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: anxiety, Bible, book review, Christian, God's blessing, gratitude, humility, Jesus Christ, lifelong learner, mind, prayer, pride, quotes, Sarah Young, suffering, thought life, trouble. 2 Comments »

Jesus Always (book review)

November 22, 2016 — Craig T. Owens

Do you ever feel like you need to hear a personal word from Jesus? If you do, Jesus Always by Sarah Young can give you a daily dose of personal messages.

The whole Bible is God lovingly speaking to us, but sometimes we miss that it is His personal word to us. Sarah Young has done a beautiful job in weaving together Scriptural promises, and then having them speak to us in the first-person voice of Jesus. Somehow hearing the words of The Word spoken in a format that sounds so personal made it much easier for me to apply to my life.

Each day’s message contains the encouraging or challenging word in Christ’s voice, with direct quotations from the Bible italicized. Then at the bottom of the page are listed the references in the Bible, so you can read the entire biblical passage.

I have found so many days that Christ’s word to me was just what I needed to hear, or just what I needed to pass along to a friend who was struggling. I think Jesus Always will be an excellent addition to anyone’s library.

I am a Thomas Nelson book reviewer.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Bible, book review, encouragement, God's promise, Jesus Christ, Sarah Young, Scripture. 14 Comments »

Faith, Feelings & Facts

November 21, 2016 — Craig T. Owens

We walk by faith, not by appearance (2 Corinthians 5:7).

“By faith, not appearance; God never wants us to look at our feelings. Self may want us to; and satan may want us to. But God wants us to face facts, not feelings; the facts of Christ and of His finished and perfect work for us.

“When we face these precious facts, and believe them because God says they are facts, God will take care of our feelings.

“God never gives feeling to enable us to trust Him; God never gives feeling to encourage us to trust Him; God never gives feeling to show that we have already and utterly trusted Him. God gives feeling only when He sees that we trust Him apart from all feeling, resting on His own Word, and on His own faithfulness to His promise. Never until then can the feeling (which is from God) possibly come; and God will give the feeling in such a measure and at such a time as His love sees best for the individual case.

“We must choose between facing toward our feelings and facing toward God’s facts. Our feelings may be as uncertain as the sea or the shifting sands. God’s facts are as certain as the Rock of Ages, even Christ Himself, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.” —Lettie Cowman

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: 2 Corinthians, facts, faith, feeling, Jesus Christ, L.B. Cowman, trust. Leave a Comment »

The Truth About Wise Counsel

November 21, 2016 — Craig T. Owens

Pastor Josh Schram shared with us the lessons he’s appreciated about receiving wise counsel from those around him. One of Josh’s opening remarks really hit home with me, because it’s something I still struggle with at times: I have to get beyond thinking that those who are trying to speak into my life are somehow trying to meddle in my life!

A couple of other thoughts that really made me pause and reflect were—

“Ignorance may be bliss, but it won’t last.” How true! I may cover my eyes and ears to the truth, but my ignorance will ultimately lead to my downfall.

“People who will speak truth into my life care more about me than about my feelings.” As Proverbs says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses” (27:6).

Josh closed with these challenging questions: