Alva Review-Courier -

“Without Faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). One of the oddities of...

And so, after months of enjoying the cheers and challenges of the Book of Hebrews, we arrive at one of the most well known chapters in the New Testament. Hebrews 11 has been dubbed the “roll-call of t...

Greetings from the land beyond the river! We are still living out of boxes, but they are OUR boxes, and we love them. A funny thing happened on the way to our new ministry. Since the elder assigned to...

I just received a text from one of my favorite young men, Corey Shirey. Not only is he a fellow minister, but he also took several of my class offerings while I was with NWOSU (Ride Rangers Ride).... Full story

My alter-ego is a second-grade teacher. Mr. Tyree (sir) spends his days encouraging 7 and 8-year olds to read, write legibly, and remember their mathematical fact families. Perhaps as important as tho...

Long ago, in a city far, far away (in Wisconsin), I was a singer in a rock and roll band. I’m sure just by saying that I have drawn a few readers closer to my camp while driving others immediately t...

I was raised in the city. I was predominantly raised by my mother, since she had the challenge of being a stay-at-home mom until I was well into my teens. I was well fed. Most of the meals at our...

Boo Boo Kitty is about to lose her mind. Around midnight, she came into our room (a place she is forbidden to be) and began quietly mewing at the back door. You see, Boo Boo’s friend and protector h...

Did you ever get the feeling that God was trying to tell you something? We often pray, “God, help me know the right thing to do.” Then, wait and watch; hoping He will give us an unmistakable ans...

I’d like to take a break from our survey of Hebrews and dedicate this week’s article to a few moments of personal thanksgiving. It’s OK with me if you tag your praises alongside mine – even write t...

Have you ever noticed how few golfers “of color” are on the PGA tour? Prior to Tiger Woods, the only name that comes to mind is Calvin Peete. He had 12 wins on the tour – which ain’t too shabby – but...

Just think how great he [Melchizedek] was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the...

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest...

“... We who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the c...

After years of study and growth in the Kingdom, do you still have those moments when you suddenly see something you haven’t noticed before? This morning, as I am hurrying to get my article in by t...

Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case – the things that have to do with salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the l...

Years ago, one of my instructors observed that “only a broken pendulum stops in the middle.” He was referring to the wide cultural swings that happen in society at large, and how they might aff...

There has to be a first. Before things in life become normal, there has to be that original “we’ve never been here before” moment. Living in the house with a 7-month-old is a daily reminder. First...

As the writer moves on from his discussion of Jesus’ obedience and suffering, he enters a very challenging – even accusatory – section of the letter. Here are the final few verses of chapter 5: (11)...

I'm not sure how much longer I can ride the pity party but thanks, again, for the calls, cards, and countless prayers. I am making steady, slow progress. “(7) During the days of Jesus’ life on ear...

We now interrupt our regularly scheduled article for an important message from our sponsors. For the better part of 50 years, the family at College Hill Church of Christ has hosted the Annual Alva...

We’ve already spilled quite a bit of ink on the subject of God’s invitation to enter His rest. But before I’m willing to give it a rest, I’d like to jot down a few short paragraphs to tell the “re...

I’m a fan of oldies rock. There, I’ve said it out loud (sort of). I was a teenager in the 70s, when some of the most powerful bands ever to perform came alive on my little AM/FM boom box (my fir...

I’m not sure my students (or the average Christian, for that matter) understand the importance of the question “Is it inspired?” If it sounds right, if it seems to be in agreement with the rest of scr...

While comparing Jesus with the ministry of Moses, the great law giver, the Hebrew writer “mixes his metaphors.” On the one hand, he refers to Moses as one who was a faithful servant in God’s house...