Claude Thomas

EULESS, Texas (BP)--I recently heard a prominent author and speaker make a startling statement about the family in an insightful and surprising meeting. He boldly declared, "We have lost the culture. We must not lose the family!"

EULESS, Texas (BP)--An article appeared in USA Today on June 13 titled, "'Father' means more than household master." The writer, Patricia Pearson, asserts that fathers are essential for healthy and proper growth of children. She notes that a host of studies persist in pointing out that kids do better socially, emotionally and intellectually when dads are present. But, Pearson continues, one of the problems not addressed in America is how men define fatherhood.

EULESS, Texas (BP)--In the fourth century A.D., the great Roman Empire was crumbling and persecution against Christians was increasing. During that time, many Christians fled Rome to escape the pagan society as much as persecution. A certain Christian living in Rome discovered a novel idea designed for escaping persecution and paganism, without leaving Rome.

EULESS, Texas (BP)--When I was a young man, living in east Tennessee, I often fished for trout in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. On one such occasion, a friend and I had finished fishing for the day and were heading back to our campsite. On our way, we encountered a group of Boy Scouts who had lost their way as the night was creeping toward the jet-black darkness of the mountains asleep.

EULESS, Texas (BP)--People have painted, sculpted and imagined what Jesus looked like for centuries.

EULESS, Texas (BP)--We talk, sing and write more about love than perhaps any other single topic in human history. Love is an enigma to many and a bitter word (at best) to others. And when we as Christians talk about "God's love," perhaps we tend to place his divine love in the same categories of thought that we class human love. What does God's love look like? Jesus paints a portrait of God's love in Luke 15:11-32. This portrait will help us understand what God's love is really like, and how it affects both our lives individually and the lives of our families.

EULESS, Texas (BP)--The New Year brings New Year's resolutions to the forefront of our minds. We tell ourselves (and each other) that we will start on a new diet, start on a new workout regimen, lay off the sweets and accomplish various and sundry other resolutions in our lives. I wonder, however, if these decisions will really "transform" us into the best that we can be in 2002.

EULESS, Texas (BP)--We are entering into the most wonderful time of the year. Many of us are planning our Christmas vacations or shopping for Christmas toys. Our families join together to decorate trees and houses with bright lights and ornaments. We will attend Christmas parties and celebrate the season with friends. Many will visit a church for the first time this year. And the entire world joins together to celebrate this special season.

EULESS, Texas (BP)--In light of the storms that have raged in our world over the past few months, our families have grown closer. Many of us have been in the process of rediscovering our faith in God. Others search for an anchor for their families. As we search for that anchor, the Bible teaches us that our families will experience peace and rest as we embrace a heart of gratitude, in spite of our circumstances. We have reason to celebrate and express gratitude to God.

EULESS, Texas (BP)--Lightning strikes the earth and thunder echoes in the chambers of heaven. The wind beats the angry shoreline while the waves crash into the dark, cold rocks. With each echoing thunderclap, our lives shudder in the tempest. It is a storm. We are living in a storm of life. We do not need to rehearse the lightning flashes that have seared our hearts and minds during these weeks -- we are all facing a storm.