Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
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The tomb is empty! The stone has been rolled away, not so Jesus could get out, but so the scoffers could get in to see that Jesus arose. He is risen. It’s music to our ears. Our sins have been nailed to the cross, and the precious blood of Jesus has canceled our debts. We have been redeemed. Our freedom was bought with an immeasurable price. Jesus thought you and I were worth it. Ring the bells. Shout it from the rooftops. It’s the glorious news of the ages. The enemy has been defeated. It’s hard to imagine the cruel tortu...
Remember the day you enclosed your tiny baby’s hand into yours? Remember holding that toddler’s hand when he or she took the first steps? Remember the first day of school when you had to let go? Remember that teenager driving for the first time? Remember the day they left home? My tears fell on Lance’s feet as he held me in his arms and whispered, “Mom, a Christian never says goodbye for the last time.” Memories flashed as my husband and I boarded the plane back home. We don’t get to visit Lance and his family often, but...
When our youngest granddaughters were young, our son and his wife often returned to their home at night after visiting us. They dressed their little girls for bed, and after the good-bye hugs and kisses, they tucked their children in their “car” bed and drove the two hours home. Our granddaughters went to sleep quickly. Once at home, their daddy took them in his big strong arms and tenderly put them in their own beds. The little girls didn’t awaken until morning. They found themselves “at home.” The first face they saw was t...
The March spring winds roared like the proverbial lion, but that’s how it is in eastern New Mexico. My husband had gone to Oklahoma to help our middle son build a barn. It became my job to feed Lady, a beautiful sorrel mare that seemed more like a person than a horse....
In many crimes, the perpetrators are portrayed as victims. We become incensed and hurt by the senseless taking of human lives. The excuse? They had an unhappy childhood. They were deprived. They lost their job. They were passed over for a promotion. The marriage fell apart. The list is endless. Yet, it is everyone else’s fault. Somebody somewhere did them wrong. It is society’s fault that some deranged person never learned responsibility or accountability for his or her own actions. So the world’s answer to this dilemma is mo...
Joan Clayton mixes Scripture and poetry in her book “A Time For Praise” to encourage people in their walk with God. Clayton uses her writing to praise God in what might be new ways to someone who is new to the Christian faith. The poems are sometimes playful and endearing as she lets God speak through her words. For example, in the poem “I Shall Love,” Clayton ventures on the subject of what many Christians might struggle with when it comes to dealing with life’s problems: I shall love, when my heart is aching from unkind wo... Full story
In this world of economic meltdown, we tend to lose our joy, allowing anxiety, worry and depression to dominate. If it helped to worry, it might be worth it. Yet worry is like a rocking chair. You don’t get anywhere. Sin is a terrible thing, and it is not an island. It always affects someone else, and that includes many innocent people. So how are we going to cope? In the midst of it all, we can have peace by praising and praying. Peace … It’s hard to have peace of mind with what is happening in this world, but whe...
We watched our grandson play his last football game. Jody, being a senior at Abilene Christian University, played his last game just like he had played his first freshman game: 100 percent heart. Even though it was Jody’s “last time” to play, it was also his first time to pursue the next stage of his life … his career, his opportunities and the following of God’s plan for his life. What a thrill we had watching our granddaughter, Traci, perform in the All School Symphony Concert in Amarillo. It was deja vu for my husb...
My students loved for me to tell this story: “A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they would never make it and that they might as well give up and die. Finally, one of the frogs believed what t... Full story
“Will you marry me?” I asked. This tall, lanky, handsome man turned a little pale. He looked like he was thinking, “How do I get out of this?” I guess he felt sorry for me, and he finally said, “I thought you would never ask.” I didn’t have many girl friends then, for they were after him too, but it was “Leap Year” and who could resist that? I’m a romantic. I love the romantic love story in Song of Solomon: “Put me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. Love is as strong as death; jealousy is as strong as the g... Full story
Does life ever seem to be one battle after another? Do you manage to survive one hurdle only to be confronted by another one? Welcome to the club. In this life we have resistance. If we never resisted anything, life could be rather dull. If no problems existed on earth, would we look forward to heaven? I love the passage in Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” An airplane tak...
Many scriptures tell about angels. It’s such a comfort to know God is always watching over his children when help is needed. I love to read Psalm 91: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Verse 1). Verses 14 and 15 further assure one’s faith: “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” I’m being trans... Full story
One of the highest compliments I ever received was from an 8-year-old child. She was one of my students from the school year before. As I walked down the hall one day, I heard her say to her new teacher, “That’s my teacher from last year. She loves me.” I don’t remember telling her verbally, but somehow I must have conveyed my love to her. A feeling of “lack of love” is the most serious threat to our children today. Runaways are plagued by feelings of rejection. Foster homes are crowded. Now, more than ever, we need to affirm...
Is there any good news anymore? You betcha! I have lots of it. Once in a while you will hear or read about something good on Planet Earth but I have “good news ” every day. For starters, Jesus loves you. The Bible gives a wonderful blueprint for your life, and it has a wonderful guarantee. God will never leave his obedient, repentant child. Praises still go out to God, and he inhabits them. God still performs miracles and answers prayers. God sends his angels to watch over his children. With God, there is always hope. “Th...
Life is a great adventure … a journey, if you please. It is filled with turns, detours, surprises, excitement and most of all, love. Many dance through life but never hear the music. That is sad to me. We all need a giant dose of enthusiasm....
The holidays are over. Tearful goodbyes are said. The house is strangely quiet. The pride I feel for our sons and the gratitude I feel for God is overwhelming. The dream that began so long ago in my heart has now become a reality. The boys are spiritual leaders in their own homes who love and cherish their wives and children. My children are never far away in my heart or prayers, for there is no distance in the spirit … no distance in love. Our oldest granddaughter will soon have her doctorate. Another granddaughter...
Despite New Year’s resolutions, a New Year does give an opportunity to start over. What is past is just that … past. Time wasted in reliving the past and time worrying about the future is counterproductive and a lesson in futility to say the least. God meets you where you are. He supplies a day at a time and he gives instructions for living it. “Don’t worry about anything: instead, pray about everything. Tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s p... Full story
“No! We’re not having lights on that tree! What a waste of money. Besides that it would run up the electricity bill. We’re not doing it.” We have lived in the same house on the same corner for 45 years. How well I remember that little cedar tree we set out so long ago. “My name is John,” the salesman said as he shook hands with my husband. “It’s a sturdy little tree but I can’t lift it for you.” The elderly man’s years of hard work had weakened his stamina. “That’s all right,” my husband said while lifting the five-gall...
I had begun to seek the Lord with all my heart. I yearned for him. My soul hungered for him. God will fill a hungry heart, and he filled mine to running over. Being born again and a new creation, I wanted more than anything for my husband to have this too. It became my heart’s desire. I could not make it happen, nor could I hurry it up. God’s timing is different than mine. Isaiah 40:31 spoke to my heart: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,... Full story
Christmas getting closer led to tempers getting shorter. My days became a frenzy of trying to accomplish tasks in one week that normally take a month. “I just need one more thing to do. Let me out at that store for just a minute. I’ll be right back.” My husband drove on to find a parking place (I thought) as I rushed inside the store shivering and glad to get out of the cold. When I returned, Emmitt had vanished. I didn’t see our car anywhere. “Now what? Of all the things I have to do…where is he? He makes me so mad...
Let us be a truly thankful people because of God’s many blessings. “Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done” (TLB). Recognize the touch of the Master’s hand. I believe both great and small miracles happen every day and we let them go by unnoticed without ever expressing our gratitude. Knowing that I am God’s child and that He will never leave me makes my heart overflow with thanksgiving. Did you ever have a day when everything that could go wrong went wrong? I have had many. However, I have disc...
Joan Clayton: Religion Columnist I can’t help but notice that a crisis brings prayer regardless of the catastrophe, and it happens in public places. I heard no complaints about praying in public when 9/11 happened. The pain was too deep. I think prayer is vital to us any time. In the tumultuous times of adversity, prayer and trusting are especially important. Mankind cannot save itself. Man is only a mortal being, but with God, “all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). I am thankful for those who pray for others. In the m... Full story
In a time of national crisis, you have always given your all. Your lives have been interrupted. You have been separated from your loved ones. Who among us can know your pain, your loneliness, and your willingness to fight for freedom? You have your life before you, yet you aren’t thinking of that. You think of protecting those you love, the country you love and the freedom you love. I’m proud of my husband when he stops to thank you. When he sees you in a uniform, he makes a point to tell you how much he appreciates what you... Full story
Edmund Burke, a British statesman, has been reported as saying, “For evil to triumph, it is only necessary for good men to do nothing.” Your vote is important. It is a privilege and a way to express your rights. Many Americans have given their lives for this privilege. Because of these brave men and women, the red, white and blue still waves over this land. The sacrifice of others has enabled our freedoms. Please never take that freedom for granted. One way of demonstrating your appreciation is by casting your vote. Enj... Full story
Religious belief likely plays a part in the way people vote, area religious leaders say. And though church leaders say they don’t endorse candidates, they encourage their congregations to vote based on Biblical principles. Allen McAlister, senior pastor of Central Baptist Church in Clovis, said church leaders encourage the congregation to learn about candidates’ stand on issues. Voter guides listing such information are provided. He said he encourages the congregation to choose the candidate that “best represents your views...
