NextGenKent

I want to share today about what it is like for a man to make love to woman. (Now that I have your attention, I probably better not). However, everyone has a story of their first time.  Which reminds me of a story; now, this story may or may not have happened to my family. My dad was part of the rotary club because several of his friends were involved. My dad raised cattle and bred a certain kind of bovine and knew a lot about that sort of thing. He also had been in the county rodeos a few times riding bulls. He studied to become a doctor but having kids kept him from that pursuit. We lived in a small town, where you know everyone and everyone knows you ...and your business. The rotary club advertised that a popular "sexpert" would be the guest speaker at the next meeting and share about how to make love to a woman. The rotary club never had such great attendance! The place was packed, but the guest speaker never showed up. My dad's friend who was in charge and b...

What is one thing in your life that took you A LOT of preparation? In Joshua 3, we see a leader in need of being esteemed, a way needing known, and a river needing crossed over. However, the  main purpose in Joshua chapter 3 is really about trusting God (as usual), but not in a usual way! There is a sequence to preparing. We have to go through first grade before 2nd grade, and learn to add before we can multiply. God gives Joshua and his people a 3 days’ rest time and Israel's leaders give specific instructions (activities with their reasons) about crossing over this last obstacle fore the entering the Promised Land to the people, including a focal point (ark). Why? They haven’t been this way so they need to know The Way.  They receive God's promise from their leader unesteemed leader and are then commanded “consecrate yourselves!” Joshua gives the Word of God to the people and the people obey and all comes together because the people were able to crossover --an...

Do you have something you possess that is very expensive, but you never really use (say less than once a year)? Take a moment to read James 2:14-26. The Message is a good one to look at for this passage. We practice what we believe. Most of the time we are good at something because we have worked hard at it—whether it was a hobby and we enjoyed it, or because we were pushed to do so, like by a coach. James starts by asking the questions, "What good is it?" and "Can this so called “faith” save him?" Both are worth looking at. Especially when salvation is on the line!  James points out the difference between “saying” you have faith and having a "doing" faith. James then uses an example to illustrate. He positions "a fellow believer who is in greatly need" in the middle of the believer's mind much like Jesus did with a lone child. So, there in the middle of the discussion, James places a needy believer. Have you have ever seen a needy bel...

If you could only answer questions, “Yes,” or “No,” and couldn’t ever use the word “maybe” again, would it make that much of a difference to your life? Take a moment and read James 5:1-12--it is especially very interesting to read in The Message translation. So often we are told to begin with the END in mind. The END is whatever or where ever the certain project we are working on is heading until we say it is DONE. We do need to begin with the END in mind, but James has a different END in mind. There are several things the people have done wrong in James’ mind: laid up treasures in the last days,  kept back wages by fraud,  lived in luxury and self-indulgence,  fattened their hearts,  condemned and murdered people. When James tells the rich to “weep and howl” what is he getting at? What good does it do? What does “the cry of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of the Hosts” mean? What does it mean for "the wages of those abused by fraud...