Keith Howard

Real. Comforter. Genes.

Recently, there has been a sad trend in South Beach. Individuals have been experimenting with a drug called the new LSD, or bath salts. Law enforcement and medical professionals each confirm one adverse…

ROMANS 13:14 (CEV)

Use It or Lose It

Ever wondered how many years you will live? Probably not on a purely cognitive level. We usually don't allow ourselves to think that way. But on some kind of subconscious level I think it's on the back…

PROVERBS 19:27 (CEV)

Disarming Antagonists

I know of an individual, a real trusted friend, who was approached by a stranger in the parking lot after getting out of his Toyota. "How does it feel to keep Americans out of work?" My friend could have…

PROVERBS 16:32 (CEV)

Five Mississippi

When we were kids we played tackle football in the backyard. We used the 'ole 5 Mississippi Rule. You know, the defense couldn't rush the quarterback until they had counted one-Mississippi; two-Mississippi;…

PROVERBS 15:28 (CEV)

Bait Christian

The TV show Bait Car features a vehicle that its monitored by law enforcement equipped with the latest, most sophisticated technology in surveillance. It is set up as a trap intended to be stolen. Then…

PROVERBS 11:6 (CEV)

Rockabilly Red Boots

An event from my teenage years is permanently etched in my memory. The youth group made our way to the event center for a Christian concert. There I was introduced to a style of music I had never experienced…

ROMANS 9:33 (CEV)

Devotion Stew

"People who are ruled by their own desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things." (Rom 8:5) Romans 8 is such a prolific passage of scripture.…

ROMANS 8:5 (CEV)

I've Stepped in the Sticker Patch

One time when I was a kid I stepped on a sliver of glass. Mom and Dad worked for what seemed like hours to dislodge it. I'm sure it was minutes in reality. Oh the pain! It was horrible, the prodding,…

ROMANS 7:17 (CEV)

The Christian Hokey Pokey

I don't believe I have ever met a Christian that has not, at one time or another, willingly or by provocation, participated in the kid-song Father Abraham had many sons. It is our Christian version of…

ROMANS 4:16 (CEV)

Fulcrum, Counterweights, Hidden Ark of Covenant

What a great verse, Psalm 97:2. You picture the fury of a dark, cloud-canopy as the backdrop. It speaks of his power. "His throne is supported by justice and fairness." Solomon built his temple to the…

PSALMS 97:2 (CEV)

A Tribute to My Friend Jap

"We thank you, our God, and praise you. But why should we be happy that we have given you these gifts? They belong to you, and we have only given back what is already yours." (1 Chronicles 29:13, 14)…

1 CHRONICLES 29:13 (CEV), 1 CHRONICLES 29:14 (CEV)

Oh, the Music!

I remember from my childhood the testimony of an elderly lady in our congregation. She stood up to share about the way she was drawn into the Pentecostal Church as a young lady. It happened that she would…

1 CHRONICLES 25:1 (CEV)

It's All About You

See if you also pick up on some of the subtleties used by the apostle Paul that let us know how much he cares about the Thessalonians. He starts off chapter 3 with words of pain in the first verse about…

1 THESSALONIANS 3:1 (CEV)

Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest

"David realized he had done wrong. He told the Lord, 'What I did was stupid and terribly wrong. Lord, please forgive me.'" (2 Samuel 24:10)Ever done anything really stupid? I have. Recently I locked our…

2 SAMUEL 24:10 (CEV)

Military Fatigues

"Each time we pray, we tell God our Father about your faith and loving work and about your firm hope in the Lord Jesus Christ." The triad of faith, hope and love is a popular theme of the apostle Paul.…

I'll Run No Matter What!

"'I'll run no matter what!' Ahimaaz insisted. 'Alright then, run!' Joab said" (2 Samuel 18:23) One soldier was afraid to take the life of the rebel Absalom because he overheard the king's command to…

Jesus Barabbas or Jesus Christ?

"So when the crowd came together, Pilate asked them, 'Which prisoner do you want me to set free? Do you want Jesus Barabbas? Or do you want Jesus who is called Messiah?" (Matthew 27:17) What? Did I read…

Table Fellowship

"During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, 'Take this and eat it. This is my body.'" (Matthew 26:26) As was customary…

Do Well by God's Evaluation

"The man knew what each servant could do. So he handed 5,000 coins to the first servant, 2,000 to the second, and 1,000 to the third. Then he left the country...I was frightened and went and hid your…

The Bygones Backfired!

"We must each die and disappear like water poured out on the ground. But God doesn't take our lives. Instead, he figures out ways of bringing us back when we run away." 2 Samuel 14:14These were the words…

The Story Line of Humanity

"Someone from your own family will cause you a lot of trouble, and I will take your wives and give them to another man before your very eyes. He will go to bed with them while everyone looks on." (2 Sam…

A Very Taxing Burden

"Tell us what you think. Should we pay taxes to the Emperor or not?" Jesus knew their evil thoughts and said, "Why are you trying to test me? You show-offs! Let me see one of the coins used for paying…

Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

"Another one of the Philistines soldiers who was a descendant of the Rephaim was as big as a giant and had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot. During a battle at Gath, he made fun of Israel,…

Catcalling and Raucous Bellowing

"Jesus was followed by a large crowd as he and his disciples were leaving Jericho. Two blind men were sitting beside the road. And when they heard that Jesus was coming their way, they shouted, 'Lord,…

Catch and Release

"'Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?' 'Yes he does,' he replied." (Mat 17:24, 25) Here's how I think this went down. Peter feels challenged on the spot. Kind of like when a neighborhood kid says…