Articles written by Bill Lanes
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Connecting Point: Every Day's Mission
Christian organizations and city government, both businesses that I know best, strengthen their purpose by reviewing, and at times rewriting, their mission statement. From this then flows, among other things, planning, then long-term goals and...
Connecting Point: An Honor Above
Have you ever complimented someone for being a great person? What about speaking to others highly about another individual? We all have a certain person we admire, which is fairly standard. Dating back for centuries the Jewish people have looked up...
CONNECTING POINT: Who is Jesus? A Short Review Inspired by the Letter to the Hebrews
The Letter to the Hebrews provides a clear review of Christ all in one spot! You might like to get your Bible out and read it. It is not long. In 2013 authors Steven Skiena and Charles B. Ward wrote Who’s Bigger? Where Historical Figures Really Ran...
Dear Editor: I Voted For the Rec Board Amended Resolution for Several Reasons
Dear Editor, At the January Town Council Meeting, I voted in favor of the proposed Rec Board Amended Resolution for several reasons. At our previous special meeting, there was overwhelming support from around our community to make collaborative...
Connecting Point: "Don't Drift," Says the Letter to Hebrews
At the beginning of winter not long ago, fishermen Jose and Ezequiel went to sea off the Mexican coast as was their routine, but that afternoon a storm pounded their small vessel and had its way with them. They survived, but a day and a half later...
Connecting Point: No Comparison
The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of twenty-seven New Testament writings with no clear author. Students have debated its scholarship for centuries. Many suggest Paul, and whoever the author was, his knowledge of the Old Testament was extensive,...
Connecting Point: Have No Fear
Fear as a subject, I have come to comprehend, has graduating degrees. But, the Christmas season has had a positive effect on my mood: Reading through God’s word I am encouraged by both gospels Matthew and Luke: Have no fear. Acknowledging our...
Connecting Point: Christmas Confusion
Christmas is in the air with school plays, business parties, and church, and community events. Last-minute decisions are being made about travel, or what will be served during the day’s celebration. Here in the Whitehall valley, there is no...
Connecting Point: Hidden Under the Tree
Our lives circle around tradition, especially this time of year. Over at least the last decade most, maybe all, adults agree tracking consumers has become excessive. It is my opinion that this creates a slippery slope where we lose value in some of...
Connecting Point: Chartered Course
Well-known poet Maya Angelou has said, “Everyone grows old but not everyone grows up.” It is one of those understated facts that on Wednesday you might find humorous and on Thursday it irks you. There are some adults that never grow out of their...
Connecting Point: Cultivating Grace
I hope you had a great time with your family and friends this Thanksgiving. Traditions comprise a large portion of our daily lives, many without much thought or effort. Certainly, Thanksgiving dinners involve much effort, but I’m referring more to...
Connecting Point: The Strands of Grace
I would liken grace to a nicely knitted lifeline, that which saves us from our sin and self. Grace encompasses many virtuous strands such as love, mercy, forgiveness, humility, self-sacrifice, and more. Another virtue that the Bible ties to grace...
Connecting Point: Grace in a Pickle
We often use idioms to make a point clear. A “pickle” refers to a difficult situation or a quandary. Most likely you have escaped by the skin of your teeth a time or two from a pickle you’ve created yourself. I have. Leaders learn what to do...
Connecting Point: The Appearance of Weakness
Montanan men and women going back to the pioneer days have put a premium on self-reliance. As such, even modern Montanans shun outward appearances of weakness. So, we consider weakness as a handicap, something that keeps us from reaching our goals....
CONNECTING POINT: Exemplary Character
Certain people leave lasting impressions on us, don’t they? I have been taking some time to research the character quality of grace from the Bible’s perspective, and I have been recalling personal examples. The exercise has been off and on for ov...
THE APOSTLE PAUL AS EXAMPLE OF GRACEFUL LIVING
Life is often likened to a long-distance race. The high school and college activity of “track and field” dates to the ancient Greeks. In Montana, the high school athletic association added cross country, a totally different type of athletic...
Connecting Point: On Your Mark
Picture yourself settled in your favorite living room chair watching one of the longest races at the Olympics. You have caught some of the athletes warming up. Now, they are in the blocks. They seem to stop breathing as the starter calls out,...
Connecting Point: Grace Factors
In this life we encounter various relational road blocks, one specifically I would like to address is offense. Such a hazard can be detrimental to our relationships that we cherish or even possible new relationships on the horizon, so we must guard...
Connecting Point: The Answer for Broken People
Gimmicks abound all around us, allowing a few people to claim to know everything. One can search the Internet regarding almost any HOW TO, and it will produce a list of apps desiring your next click. The Internet has changed the world of advertising...
Connecting Point: Go With Grace
Most people aspire toward greatness. Even the most passionless person aspires in some area or hobby to do it well. Boys and girls, men and women dream of achieving accolades in sports, acting, a career, etc. “The sky is the limit” goes the...
Connecting Point: Mission Ready
When the subject of heaven and hell come up, some people listen intently, almost as if they are searching for an answer. But, others seem to run and hide. Over the last two months of columns, I have walked this journey with you, the reader. I want...
Connecting Point: Eyes Wide Open
If you have felt discouraged and overwhelmed at times consider the often quoted Billy Graham: “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God,...
Connecting Point: Erasing Hell
You’ve observed no doubt that nature provides us with many parallels: a butterfly has two wings. In thinking of eternity, many fear death—that parallel with life. Joy and contentment contrast with loneliness and despair. Throughout history, we ha...
Connecting Point: Is Hell Real?
Often, controversial topics scare us. But just because a matter is uncomfortable, sometimes it’s an unintended consequence for clergy when they are motivated by caring, caring that includes caring for people. So, Jesus spoke about Hell even more...
Connecting Point: A Free Gift
Some echo the words “There is nothing free in life” The pessimist opines, “In one way or another there’s some sort of catch.” Sadly some relationships are founded on play for play or a hard fast IOU. Power and greed infect our lives way...