Rejoicing With Unbearable Sorrow

November 1, 2017

November/December 2017, Volume 99, Number 6 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4 NASB). (The following article is based on a personal testimony written by a mother who lost her young son in a tragic accident. The article appears as a personal testimony edited for publication. Consistent with the mother’s request, we include a brief tribute to her son at the close of the article.) Rachel Kraynick Listen to audio… We all face hardship, challenges, and difficulties […]

Thanksgiving

November 1, 2017

November/December 2017, Volume 99, Number 6 Gratitude “Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the congregation of the godly ones” (Psalms 149:1. All scriptures from NASB). Kent and Sean Humphreys Listen to audio… The word “Thanksgiving” has a far-reaching meaning. Typically, when one hears this word, they envision a banquet table overflowing with delicious food and surrounded by hungry appetites! In the United States, the annual celebration of Thanksgiving takes place in the month of November. It is a time when families come […]

A Psalm For Thanksgiving

November 1, 2017

November/December 2017, Volume 99, Number 6 “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. … Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Psalms 23:1-6, all texts from NASB).” — Ray Charlton Listen to audio… “The LORD is my shepherd,” David remembers the lifelong blessing of having Jehovah as his caretaker and guide. Isaiah echoes, “Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm […]

News and Views- Nov/Dec 2017

November 1, 2017

November/December 2017, Volume 99, Number 6 Listen to audio… Religious The US State Department has released its annual International Religious Freedom Report for 2016. The annual report provides a detailed and factual overview of the status of religious freedom in nearly 200 countries and territories, and documents reports of violations and abuses committed by governments, terrorist groups, militias, and individuals. The State Department’s document is highly critical of terrorist groups like Daesh, as well as a number of countries, including China, Saudi […]

In the Beginning

November 1, 2017

November/December 2017, Volume 99, Number 6 Listen to audio… Counting Our Blessings This issue was inspired by the hymn, “Count Your Blessings,”  written by Johnson Oatman. It encourages us, amidst the trials of our lives, to bring our troubles to the Lord in prayer, and to remember that God is over all. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3 NASB). He “comforts us in all our affliction so that we will […]