S.D. Smith

How many times have you heard someone say, "I just want you to be happy," as a reasonable request? Is happiness best for us though? Certainly we hope to enjoy our lives and some have made the argument that God has created the world to sustain human enjoyment. Even the Declaration of Independence declares, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,

Have you ever heard the Bible called the inspired Word of God ? Perhaps you have even repeated this line to others with only the slightest understanding of its meaning. If you research the use of this doctrine, then you will find that many organizations incorporate this belief in their primary values. Even within my home town of Anderson, Indiana, one can read many such statements of faith online. “The basis of our belief is the Bible which is the inspired Word of God

If you are familiar with the Jane Austin classic, Pride and Prejudice , you will remember a tense moment when the characters are discussing which traits define an accomplished woman . Mr. Bingley, a jovial bachelor who sees the good in everyone, insists that women who bare the marks of education by evidence of their ability to “paint tables, cover screens, and net purses” are accomplished. Bingley’s sister, plainly considering herself to be accomplished (if not superior to ot

"And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in C

Once upon a time there was a school for the blind who took their students to the zoo where they would be allowed to touch the animals. Three of the blind girls were allowed to briefly touch an elephant for the first time in their lives. The first girl touched only the tusk. The second girl touched only the ear. The third girl touched only the leg. Afterwards, the first girl exclaimed how elephants were hard and smooth, like a skeleton. The second girl disagreed and insisted t

Today was Sunday, and I attended morning service. Bob Bell, Senior Minister of Bethany Christian Church , was preaching about following Jesus. Before telling a personal story to illustrate the point he was making, he emphasized that the story was about JESUS. “It’s not about Bob,” he firmly attested. This got me thinking about what it ( life ) is not about. We have all heard the saying, “It’s not about you!” Many of us would like to use that response from time to time with

I study the Bible on a regular basis, but I am equally challenged by the content on a regular basis. Perhaps you feel this way too. Here are three passages that have challenged me. If you struggle with understanding them, then I hope the following interpretations, which are no more than educated opinions, will guide your mind in the right direction. DIFFICULT BIBLE PASSAGE #1 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters,

Who is qualified to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Jesus commands His disciples, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations . . . teaching them to follow all that I commanded you" (Matt. 28:19-20, NASB). James writes, “Let not many of you become teachers” (James 3:1, NASB). Jesus also says, “One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters ” (Matt. 23:8, NASB). Which instructions should we follow? Is every believer commissioned to teach, are few to teac

1. Violent Disagreements 2. Quincentenary Competition 3. Painful Splits 4. New Age Relics 5. Reckless Unaccountability 6. Translation Mutilation 7. Doctrine Buffett What is special about Tuesday, October 31, 2017? Everyone that I asked responded with “Halloween!” Well, almost everyone. My fifteen year old son, who knows me too well, answered, “Probably something to do with the Bible.” When I would question people further, I discovered that only one person was aware of the si

Are you a Daddy’s Girl? Do you remember Daddy treating you to ice cream and letting you stay up late when Mom left the house? Was Daddy a chaperone at your school field trip? Maybe that unforgettable day when Daddy walked you down the aisle was the saddest yet proudest moment of your wedding. Or perhaps you are the Proud Father of a Daddy’s Girl. Do you remember those trusting eyes and that bright smile that your baby girl gave you from the crib? Was there anything better th