Dead Flies

by Matthew W. Bassford Ecclesiastes was my father’s favorite book of the Old Testament, and his favorite verse in Ecclesiastes was 10:1. At least, I think it was his favorite verse. It certainly was the one that he quoted most to my teenage self. To this day, I have no trouble summoning up, “Dead flies…

Read More

The Embarrassment of Sin

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/The-Embarrassment-of-Sin.mp3 by Raymond Warfel

Read More

Have We Forgotten Our Shame?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Have-We-Forgotten-Our-Shame.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 44   I.         It is surprising the odd ideas people have about forgiveness             A.        Forgiveness is the dismissal of any debt or obligation to me                         1.         I cannot forgive someone’s sin.                                     a.         This is only something God can do, because our sins incur a penalty, which God – not you or I…

Read More

Not Ashamed to Sin, but Ashamed to Repent

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Not-Ashamed-to-Sin-But-Ashamed-to-Repent.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Daniel 9:4-19   I.         In Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe left home to be a sailor against the wishes of his parents. He soon came to regret his decision, but he would not return home because he did not want to admit that he made a mistake. He…

Read More

What does covering sin mean?

Question: Hi, This may be a silly question, but I just want clarification on the difference between having a multitude of sins covered and hidden. What is the difference between “charity covering a multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8) and “converting a sinner and having a multitude of sins hidden” (James 5:20). Answer: The King…

Read More

My son won’t let anyone, including his doctor, see him naked

Question: Good morning. My son is just 15 and at 3.4 according to your Tanner calculator. I am in the military and am very concerned that he is very shy and modest almost like a girl. I haven’t seen him naked since he was maybe 6 or 7 because he hides himself very effectively. From…

Read More

My brother embarrassed my non-Christian friend. What should I do?

Question: I have a friend whom I’ve known for about a month. We talk every so often and hang out. We went hiking yesterday and it was the first time she was over at my house. I don’t date non-Christians and she is not a Christian. She knows this and that my faith defines me.…

Read More

Notes on Disciplining Children

Purpose Change in behavior Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life” Proverbs 10:1 “A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother.” Proverbs 17:21 “He who begets a scoffer does so to his…

Read More