http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/index/ en jim@jimswanson.com Copyright 2012 2012-01-14T21:18:00-06:00 http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/books-with-a-message/ http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/books-with-a-message/#When:20:18:00Z Many modern novels are strictly entertainment. I was told in one writing class, “Don’t write to get across a message. Write to tell a story. If there is a message, it will come out.” What is the point of writing if there is no message? Thoughts 2012-01-14T20:18:00-06:00 http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/iron-sharpens-iron2/ http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/iron-sharpens-iron2/#When:19:47:00Z Prov 27:17 states, “Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” But this, like so many proverbs, has conditions. Thoughts 2012-01-14T19:47:00-06:00 http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/two-paths-to-follow/ http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/two-paths-to-follow/#When:09:41:00Z Jesus taught that there are two paths, the narrow way that leads to life, and the broad way that leads to destruction. (Matt. 7:13-14) In Philippians 3:17-21 Paul tells us more about these two paths and the characteristics of those who follow each. Thoughts 2011-11-19T09:41:00-06:00 http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/others-are-better/ http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/others-are-better/#When:14:33:00Z I have been enriched lately with a study of Philippians. Thoughts 2011-11-13T14:33:00-06:00 http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/living-between-the-promises/ http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/living-between-the-promises/#When:21:12:00Z This message could also be titled, How was Joseph’s Body like the Lord’s Table? Do you know in what three ways these two events are similar? Thoughts 2011-09-25T21:12:00-06:00 http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/dont-waste-your-crisis-crossroads/ http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/dont-waste-your-crisis-crossroads/#When:08:49:00Z The story of the rich young ruler has, over the years, intrigued me, yea, even haunted me. It is filled with theological and practical lessons that apply to every person, whether lost of saved. Thoughts 2011-09-20T08:49:00-06:00 http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/respect-of-persons/ http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/respect-of-persons/#When:13:53:00Z We are told six times in Scripture that God is no respecter of persons. What does this mean? 2011-07-27T13:53:00-06:00 http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/after-twelve-years1/ http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/after-twelve-years1/#When:12:38:01Z Two significant events took place when Jesus was about 20. They initially impacted six lives but millions since it took place. Thoughts 2011-07-25T12:38:01-06:00 http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/immunized/ http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/immunized/#When:09:30:00Z Our bodies have a wonderful defensive system called antibodies. When we get certain diseases, our bodies build antibodies to keep us from getting them again. But there is a sad spiritual application of this principle. Thoughts 2011-06-13T09:30:00-06:00 http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/serving/ http://www.jimswanson.com/index.php/site/serving/#When:10:20:00Z I am taking care of Paul this week. Paul is 22 but has the mental age of one. So he is constant care. I can imagine someone saying, “You should not waste your talents on someone so unresponsive.” Indeed, Peter said, “It is isn’t fitting that we should wait tables. Let others do that while we preach the Gospel.” On the other hand when the shipwrecked crew landed on Malta, Paul, who had just saved everyone’s lives, joined the others to gather firewood. Who was right? Of course, both were right. Peter is speaking of a major calling in life. But even while we are ministering the Word, we need to take time to pick up sticks. This might involve shoveling snow, mowing the lawn, taking care of a baby, visiting someone. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. He said we should do likewise. Thoughts 2011-06-10T10:20:00-06:00