Archive for July, 2012

Traveling Lifestyle

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Dr. Jerry Rankin

Often when people asked me where we live I would reply, tongue-in-cheek, “Delta Airlines.” It often seemed we spent as much time in airports and on planes as we did at home. However, since retiring we have the margin to drive on most of the trips and enjoy the journey instead of rushing back to […]

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Is the Lord Your Shepherd?

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Dr. Jerry Rankin

The 23rd Psalm is probably the most well known and most-quoted passage of Scripture.  It is a beautiful exposition of God’s love and his provision and care for us as “the sheep of His pasture.” We relish the image of a caring shepherd totally devoted to our welfare and giving us assurance of eternal security. […]

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Ramadan–So What?

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Dr. Jerry Rankin

Most Americans would be unaware that Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, has begun. Many would only be casually aware that this is one of the five pillars of Islam; the date changes each year due to the lunar calendar but faithful adherents fast from dawn to dusk until the month concludes with the Feast […]

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Rocky Mountain High

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Dr. Jerry Rankin

What a week! It has been a spiritual high as well as the actual altitude. We are enjoying participating in the international conference of Antioch Ministries International with 750 personnel from around the world and church plants in the U.S. Begun 15 years ago, Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas set out to be a […]

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Are You Forfeiting God’s Grace?

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Dr. Jerry Rankin

“I do not nullify the grace of God.” Galatians 2:21 Basic to the Christian life is the understanding that we are saved not by works or personal efforts to become righteous but by the grace of God. However, many fail to realize that we must live by grace as well; the strength and guidance for […]

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Growing Grandchildren

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Dr. Jerry Rankin

No, this is not a follow-up post on my gardening and yard work. After reflecting on the excessive heat in the last post we did enjoy rain showers everyday this past week. It is hard to think of anything more relaxing than watching a summer rain while rocking on the back porch with a big […]

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Flee, Follow and Fight

Posted on July 13, 2012 by Dr. Jerry Rankin

“Run from these things; but pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the faith.” 1 Timothy 6:11-12 We tend to simplify what it takes to live a successful Christian life. In the minds of most believers one is a good Christian if he goes to church, prays, does what […]

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Truth or Perception?

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Dr. Jerry Rankin

The previous blog on the illusion of unity in the SBC stimulated a significant level of interest and response. I feel one of the reasons for lack of unity may be the tendency to judge one another on the basis of our perceptions rather than reality. Forgive the indulgence in personal reflection, but as one […]

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Surviving the Heat

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Dr. Jerry Rankin

The heat has been brutal. With reports of 105 in places like Chicago and 104 in St. Louis, what must Mississippi be like? A week ago when we were in Columbia, SC the temperature hit 109, and we arrived home to find our yard parched in spite of investment in a sprinkler system. Patches of […]

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Intimacy with God

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Dr. Jerry Rankin

“The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant” (Psalm 25:14). In previous devotionals we have reviewed how the fear of God is the compelling motivation for living a holy and godly life for His glory. It is the source of wisdom and understanding for […]

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