(Editor’s Note: The following devotional first was published in an Advent booklet prepared by Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. A different member contributed each day of Advent.) By Kirk W. Hancock Depression, anxiety, fear, loneliness, shame, rejection, abandonment, self-hatred, abuse, trauma, and grief. People struggle with these problems every day. Normal people with common problems. Their wounds are deep and painful.
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(Editor’s Note: “A Word to a Weary World” was published on the first day of Advent by Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. John Whitten is lead pastor of The Gathering at the church) By JOHN WHITTEN Our world is weary. We tire of the depressive headlines, divisive tactics, and depleting challenges. Our world is weary. In the thirty-third chapter of the
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By LORETTA FULTON Julie Pompa knew how fortunate she was. Her house is on the outer edge of the main path of a tornado that swept through the west side of Abilene on May 18. She got some roof damage and is living with her mother for the time being, along with her children. It could have been much worse,
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By LORETTA FULTON The last time John Whitten recalls being in a play, he was in elementary school. The next time will be a little more challenging. Whitten is portraying Jesus in the Easter pageant being staged by Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. The production began over the weekend and continues April 18-20 at the Abilene Convention Center. “It’s very humbling,
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By LORETTA FULTON “Revenge is not justice…it never brings about justice because it never seeks reconciliation.” Those words are from a Lenten reflection written by Travis Frampton, one of 40 members of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church who contributed to a booklet titled, “A New Song: Lenten Reflections.” The collection of Lenten reflections was the brainchild of Nathan Adams, ministser of
Read moreMarch 14th By Travis Frampton A couple of years ago I was flipping through TV channels when something on C-Span caught my attention. Two lawyers were debating whether the Ten Commandments should be posted in federal and state court houses. The debate was lively. Both sides exchanged compelling arguments. But, as I sat there enthralled by their discussion, I thought
Read moreMarch 25th By Emily Meador I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you, that is that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. – Romans 1:11, 12 Broken. Shaken. Lost. 1983-84 was a year to be remembered. Not because of the joy, but because of the pain. At
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