Jim Novell

In the title to this post, we have two commandments from the word of God (Ephesians 4:26), two expressions of the will of God, one related to our emotions, “Be angry”, the other to our moral behavior “sin not”. Now the command to Be angry would appear contrary to what I wrote in a previous […]

What is the greatest thing that ever happened to you in your life, that which caused the greatest rejoicing in your heart and celebration in your soul; that which was so wonderful that others rejoiced in rejoicing with you? Was it your wedding day or the birth of your first child? Was it your graduation

I received salvation a good number of years ago while living in the Reformed Theology capitol of our nation, Grand Rapids Michigan.  Reformed Churches were on every corner and Calvin College still represented the truth of the Bible. Unfortunately, those who discipled me were not of the Reformed persuasion, but Pentecostal.  And they were themselves

I begin this post with a lyrical question (and with apologies to the Beatles), All the angry people, where do they all come from? All the angry people, where do they all belong? After watching the assault on the U.S. Capitol by so called “Trump Supporters” and the violent riots in Seattle, Portland and Minneapolis

We begin the New Year 2021, one year closer to Jesus’s return.  In the interim we look to the coming year with great hope and expectation, particularly after enduring the trials and tribulations of 2020.  The hope of a more fulfilling life and desirable future is what ultimately motivates each of us to get up

In my previous post I looked at the identity of the wise men from the East in Matthew 2:1-2, who come to Jerusalem, following a star that was to lead them to the one who was born “King of the Jews”.  These men of exceedingly great wealth, wisdom, political power and influence, were not on

In Matthew 2:1-12 we have the story of wise men from the East coming to Jerusalem sometime after Jesus’ birth, bringing with them ultra-valuable gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and inquiring, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship

It is the time of the year when movies with a Christmas theme fill the TV schedule, and one of the most beloved is It’s a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed.  Stewart plays the character of George Baily, who as a child and young man had great ambitions to get out of

Mankind’s prideful and many times violent attempts to conquer, to defeat, to vanquish, to rule over, even annihilate one another has been prevalent throughout human history. Wars and insurrections, crime and rioting, racial prejudice and governmental injustice are at the far extreme. However, similar efforts are seen in political races, marital conflicts, sibling rivalry and