by Donna Avant | Dec 22, 2019 | Say Yes to God
[This post was written by Christi Avant Watson, my eldest daughter. You can find her writings at www.christiavantwatson.com or follow her on Instagram at @cavantwatson.] Earth was born wrapped in the perfect peace of its Creator. Your best gift-wrapping skills have...
by Donna Avant | Dec 21, 2019 | Say Yes to God
[This is an updated blog that I posted in 2017. Be sure to read the new ending. God surely is our HOPE!] The decorating of the Christmas tree up on Rocky Top has always been a festive time … Christmas carols playing in the background, the smell of a freshly cut tree...
by Bill Elliff | Dec 20, 2019 | Church Leadership, Personal Growth
We are almost completely unaware. There is an unseen Enemy that is opposing us 24/7. Paul reminded us that, in addition to the world and its unceasing philosophies and the weakness of our flesh, this Enemy is constantly opposing us. Our struggle is not against flesh...
by Donna Avant | Dec 15, 2019 | Say Yes to God
I do not like being in the dark. Ever. Not in the middle of the night when I wake up unexpectedly—that’s what nightlights are for. Not outside in the darkness—that’s what flashlights are for. Not when the power goes out—that’s what candles are for. Not when my life is...
by Donna Avant | Dec 14, 2019 | Say Yes to God
It’s twelve days before Christmas, and although the traditional Christmas song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” really begins on December 25 and ends on the eve of January 5, I awoke this morning determined to use my time of rest and recovery in a productive way. I had...
by John Avant | Dec 11, 2019 | God's Kingdom First, Presidents Column, Six Responses to God
I just enjoyed a very beautiful day in the neighborhood. To be honest, I never was a huge fan of Mr. Rogers. I was an older child when the show began, and I found it kind of boring. And when my own children were watching it, I wondered if Mr. Rogers was too weak to be...
by Bill Elliff | Dec 6, 2019 | Church Leadership, Personal Growth
Everyone gets hurt. It can start early, with a parent, a friend, an enemy. It could be a classmate, a colleague, or an associate. We live in a fallen world, and one of the most devastating parts of our sinfulness is that we hurt each other, by things we say and things...
by Life Action | Nov 30, 2019 | Say Yes to God
It’s hard to imagine that the disciples could be sleeping at a time like this. Jesus had asked them to join Him for an intense time of prayer. He had called them way from the crowds, eaten a private meal with them, washed their feet (how emotional that must have...
by John Avant | Nov 26, 2019 | Marriage & Family
Try this as a trivia question at Thanksgiving dinner: What does “Mary Had a Little Lamb” have to do with Thanksgiving? In 1822, Sarah Hale was only two weeks away from giving birth to her fifth child when her beloved husband died suddenly of a stroke. She...
by Bill Elliff | Nov 15, 2019 | Church Leadership, Personal Growth
The writer of Proverbs divides the world into two types of people: wise and foolish. He has much to say about both. A man is made wise by listening to the Lord and living his life in surrender to God’s will and way. God is wisdom and the source of all wisdom in this...
