At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. – Acts 9:36 How significant are those last three words! Too many well-meaning people sit around and talk about charitable deeds that they never do. Sometimes they propose those works and leave it up to others to carry them out. Dorcas not only thought up ways to help the needy, but she also carried out her plans. She knew what she could do and she did it. We may think that we are not equipped or talented to carry out works of service for…

As a nation, we just celebrated Labor Day. A day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women. Each day we rise either to the sound of an alarm clock, children, pets or by habit to begin a new day of service. That service may include our duties for our families, our homes, our jobs, the church we attend or the communities were we live. With so many options and so many different reasons to serve, it’s helpful to remember what should inspire our service. Yes it’s great to receive a paycheck and recognition especially if you are doing something you enjoy. But even deeper than those momentary…

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. (Acts 9:36) The very first description of Dorcas, even before her names were mentioned, was that she was a disciple. Through the Spirit-empowered ministry of Philip the eveangelist, a Christian Church was established in Joppa and from an early date the church was not only a center of fervent evangelism, but also of a well organized social service. Dorcas came to know Christ as her Savior in this church and caught the vision of how she could serve Christ with her money and her needle, but behind her sewing…

The last few weeks have given us quite a visual about what practical ministry is all about. It’s using the gifts you’ve been given to help others. With the earthquake in Haiti, Hurricane Ida hitting Louisiana, fires across the country, covid and all the local needs of friends and family, there is no lack of opportunities to serve. I was listening to KLOVE the other day and they were talking about Convoy of Hope, a ministry that serves people in disaster stricken areas. The announcer commented that while you might not be able to fill an entire semi truck with needed supplies, you might be able to donate $20 which…

Our names are an incredibly important part of our identity. They carry deep personal, cultural, familial, and historical connections. They also give us a sense of who we are, the communities in which we belong, and our place in the world. In the bible when a person was given a name it carried huge significance. A biblical name could record some aspects of a person’s birth. Biblical names sometimes expressed the parents’ reaction to the birth of their child. Biblical names were sometimes used to secure the solidarity of family ties. Biblical names could be used to communicate God’s message. Biblical names were also used to establish an affiliation with God.…

Dorcas, also know by the name Tabitha, was a biblical character in the New Testament. Her story is a beautiful example of heart felt service and devotion. She was blessed to be one of five people, not counting the Lord Jesus, who was raised from the dead in the New Testament. Her life was lived behind the scenes in practical ways for those in need. She made robes and other clothing for widows. The fact that she was known by both her Greek and Aramaic name suggests that she lived in a mixed culture and was willing to reach out to everyone around her. She touched lives not only in…

For the month of September we will discover some the many lessons that can be learned from studying the life of Dorcas. Overview – A Life of Service Dorcas, also known as Tabitha, was a woman who lived out her faith behind the scenes in practical ways that deeply touched the lives of other believers.  She practiced showing mercy  to anyone in need.  She became sick and died.  Upon her death the disciples sent for Peter who was in a nearby town and urged him to come at once.  When he arrived all the widows stood around him crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had…

Lately I have been facinated with pathways whether they be on a running trail, in the hills or on the edge of a field. Each step takes you in a direction that will have its own unique views, experiences, challenges and outcomes. Some paths are longer than others and have sections of shade and sunshine. Others have hills and valleys that while challenging, are worth the effort when you reach the summit. Still some will have sections that you walk with others and at times alone with God. Lydia had her own life path and was where she needed to be at the exact moment she needed to be there.…

When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.  After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.  When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. (Acts 16: 19, 22-24) We’ve all experienced days that we feel we’ve been put through the wringer. Perhaps you’ve been betrayed, lied about, received a bad diagnosis, lost…