by vfcadmin | Mar 26, 2025 | Year of Reflection
God’s Catch and Release Program for Sinners Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer A full third of the core group of Jesus’ disciples—Peter, Andrew, James, and John—were fishermen. They were the first to be called, becoming the core of the 12 Disciples, and were to leave...
by vfcadmin | Mar 19, 2025 | Year of Reflection
Perception and Context Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer One of the advantages of living in Northwest Arkansas is the expanding availability of cultural activities in our communities. I took this picture at a special exhibit called “Knowing the West” recently presented by...
by vfcadmin | Mar 12, 2025 | Year of Reflection
Weeding: The Hard Truth of Forgiveness Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer Last week we talked about repentance, righteousness, and weeds. Now let’s think about one of the best “weeding tools” we can employ to root out some of those persistent weeds in our hearts and minds:...
by vfcadmin | Feb 28, 2025 | Year of Reflection
Whiter Than Snow Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer During a recent snowstorm my church chat group was sharing photos. Soon we started developing metaphors from these images for the Christian life. My sister posted the picture above with the challenge to relate it to a...
by vfcadmin | Jan 29, 2025 | Year of Reflection
Whiter Than Snow Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer During a recent snowstorm my church chat group was sharing photos. Soon we started developing metaphors from these images for the Christian life. My sister posted the picture above with the challenge to relate it to a...
by vfcadmin | Jan 22, 2025 | Year of Reflection
Prayer Should Build Community Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer One of the central tenants of the Christian faith is that we are all members of God’s family. The concept of relationship is foundational to our understanding of the triune nature of God (John 1:14; 2 Cor....
by vfcadmin | Jan 16, 2025 | Year of Reflection
You are Free to Pray Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer Jesus addressed the issue of freedom in one of his arguments with the Pharisees. He said, “…Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son...
by vfcadmin | Jan 16, 2025 | Year of Reflection
Prayer Requires Courage Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer According to the definition of the word, courage is facing our fears and acting anyway, or it is “strength in the face of pain or grief.” (From Google definition.) Both of these meanings are implicit in praying...
by vfcadmin | Jan 16, 2025 | Year of Reflection
Contemplating Reality in the New Year Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer What do human beings long for? I recently read a list that provided a framework for an answer: people want safety, happiness, and freedom from pain. While there are other items one might add to that...
by vfcadmin | Dec 21, 2024 | advent
Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer “During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God.” Howard W. Hunter “Christmas celebrates the awesome and amazing fact that God is grander, wiser and more mysterious than we...
