By Tony Tench April Fools’ Day is the first day of April and it is often a day for fun pranks we pull on one another. April 1st is also a day when my heart declares, with faith, that the greatest of April Fools is death itself along with the kingdoms of this world. Right before we moved to Shelby in June of 1998, my father passed away. He died on March 28 and his […]

By Tony Tench These past weeks, we have had to “slow down” in our household. My surgical experience to repair an injury to my arm, as well as an infection that spread across Janet’s face, forced us to change our normal pace and wait for recovery and healing.  We are doing well, now, and moving in the right direction. “Slowing down” during these days has served to give us a chance to be thankful because […]

Worship with us on Facebook Live or Spectrum Chanel 9. Meditate on this Scripture as you minister God’s love to Shelby and surrounding areas. “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may bein good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than […]

Love By: David White Everyone in the world, adults and children, wants to be loved. The Bible says love thy neighbor as thy self. Sometimes it is hard to love thy neighbor. One reason it is they are different from us. God made us in his image with different personalities. With real love in your heart, your heart is open to everyone. Whatever anyone does to you the love is still there. Carrying the love […]

Love and Clay – A Messy Devotion By Tricia Woodland from Uptown Shelby Association When I was asked to write a devotion that would be a part of a collection reflecting on “love your neighbor” my mind was first drawn to the question of “Why me?” As the recipient of the invitation, the answer to this question would help give me direction on writing this devotion. Was it my background in Christian Education, my support […]

Draw the Circle Wide By: Emily Monroe “Draw the Circle. Draw the Circle Wide. No one stands alone. We’ll stand side by side. Draw the Circle. Draw the Circle Wide. Draw the Circle Wide. Draw it Wider Still. Let this be our song. No one stands alone. Standing side by side. Draw the Circle.” Draw the Circle Wide—-poem by Gordon Light These words by Gordon Light invite us to broaden our circle of care and […]

Love them too… By: Katie Harris, GCCBA Missions & Ministry Team Leader John 13:34A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 1 John 4:7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. As Christians we are supposed to love because God loves us. Many times in the Bible we […]

Have, Hold, Love! By Tony and Janet Tench “If I… but do not have love.” 1 Corinthians 13:1,2,3,13 “To have and to hold” brings to mind a bride and groom listening to a pastor ask them questions of intent during their wedding ceremony with their hands clasped firmly together. “Have” and “hold” are words that primarily describe what is in your hands – what is “out front” in your life. Paul’s use of these words […]

Reflection on Love By Dr. Danny West, Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Studies at Gardner-Webb University’s School of Divinity John 13: 1-16 Richard Jensen shares an insightful story about the misappropriation of love. A young couple was falling in love and every Friday night was date night. After dinner, the couple would drive out to lover’s lane to be alone. Their intentions, however, were not those of the other cars parked on the dark road. […]