(Thoughts from the testimony of Pastor Smith’s 89 yr. old mother)   SHE KNOWS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RELIGION & RELATIONSHIP – SHE WAS IN HER PLACE AT HOME & TO HER HUSBAND –   SHE WAS NOT CONFUSED ABOUT GENDER DISTINCTIONS –   SHE LOVED & TAUGHT THE BIBLE TO HER CHILDREN & OTHERS –   HER CHILDREN WERE HER CAREER –   SERVING CHRIST IN THE LOCAL CHURCH WAS BOTH A PRIORITY & A PASSION –   SHE WAS CONTENT WITH LITTLE BUT CREATIVE IN MAKING IT GO A LONG WAY –   SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL BUT NOT SENSOUS, ATTRACTIVE BUT NOT SUGGESTIVE –   SHE STRENGTHENED & SUPPORTED MY FATHER IN HIS CONVICTIONS & TESTIMONY –   SHE SHOWED LOVE TO GOD, FAMILY & OTHERS BY OFFERING OUR HOME AS A REFUGE OF HOPE –   ADD TO THIS THE FOUR INDISPENSIBLES THAT ONLY MOTHERS GIVE BEST --Compassion (wounds, failures), Cleanliness, (home, bed, hearts), Order/Harmony  (file and place for all), Comfort (sick, tired, [...]

1 Corinthians 15:9-10 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. In our minds the Apostle Paul would be considered one of the greatest apostles. A man who had such a dramatic conversion to Christ, who wrote over 13 NT epistles, who served the Lord so faithfully. Yet in Paul’s mind we see his thoughts about himself. He had a proper understanding of the grace of God. He knew the grace of the Lord to be exceeding abundant. Grace: God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense. Grace gives us a proper view of ourselves, our sin, others, and especially our mighty and merciful God. Paul believed [...]

1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. Think upon the wonderful privileges which these Old Testament saints did partake. They ate spiritual meat and drink. Let us notice the source of that drink. They drank from the Rock. This was not a dead rock that lay in one place. This Rock was Christ. Jesus Christ is the living stone. 1 Peter 2:4 To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious, This Rock not only provided for their need but He also was present with the people. Who has heard such a thing, a rock following? This Rock, clearly identified, Jesus Christ, followed His people. That Rock provides Salvation. He is the provided, precious stone from God the Father. Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a [...]