Why Grandpa Hamby loved the Church

Here’s an inspiring word from the preaching Bible that belonged to my Grandpa C. P. Hamby. This is probably the very Bible he laid on the pulpit with two pistols nearby to ward off the bootleggers who were trying to shut down the Church in the 1920’s.

I wonder if this is the very sermon he was preaching. The sermon is entitled “Why I Love the Church.” Grandpa wrote:

“With all its admitted frailties and human weaknesses, we dare to join with David. Why did David so love the house of God? …

“We love the Church because of what it cost.  The Church is a costly institution. Its history is a story of divine and human sacrifice. Divine. Human.

“Last of all, we love the Church because of its future. We are not manning a sinking ship. We are not fighting a losing battle.”

#StayUMC

#BeUMC

Special Lenten Offer

 SPECIAL LENTEN OFFER - Author Discount!

Lent begins in a month, and it's a great time to plan an in-depth study for your church, small group, or personal devotions.

If you are staying in the United Methodist Church and looking for ways to take a plunge into the depths of what truly unites our hearts, this study might be perfect for you. The book seeks to reclaim the distinctiveness of Wesley's communion theology for our times of divisiveness.

I created a FREE LENTEN STUDY GUIDE which you can download from the website below. You can also look over endorsements, reviews, interviews, excerpts, and Amazon "sample pages."

I am offering an AUTHOR'S DISCOUNT for personal, small group, or church-wide use during Lent. While it lists for $25 on Amazon and Wipf & Stock, I have copies I'll be glad to send for only $20 EACH INCLUDING SHIPPING.

Just “private message” me with your address and the number of copies. I'll ship them immediately and invoice you.

Let's all come back to the table in order to move forward.

“This Gospel” of Radical Inclusion

Happy day of Epiphany!

Here’s a snapshot of Sandy when we were enjoying the Christmas lights at Calloway Gardens.

May the light shine and unfold for you the mystery of the ages, hidden in Christ and now revealed. Paul describes “this gospel” as one of radical inclusion (not just personal salvation) in Ephesians 3:5-10:

“In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow-heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”