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Gary Combs
Wilson, NC
Husband of one beautiful wife, father to three great children (six counting their spouses, cause they're mine too), grandfather to two amazing grandchildren, pastor to an awesome church of Christ followers, and servant of the One and Only King Jesus.
Recent Activity
Thanks for the love, my younger brother and (because of Jesus) my son in the Lord. You are a great encouragement to me!
Growing more like Jesus in 2013
"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52 NIV84). For many years I have made it a habit to spend the last week of the year in prayer, meditation and Scripture study. I call it my annual study break. It's also a time to evaluate how I am living life. I wan...
Thanks for your encouragement and suggestion, Rosalinda!
Why we had an Easter egg hunt in our front yard
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35 ESV). We have well-meaning Christians question our Easter EGGstravaga...
John, thanks for reading! Yes, I know the challenge of going after our "problem children." I'm sure our record is mixed on this, but when we've gone after them and found them willing to return, it results in enriched and deepened relationships.
Tracy, thanks. We're looking forward to seeing you Sunday.
Mary, you are one of those authentic people that just won't allow the rest of us to linger at a "pseudo-community" level!
Tattoos, tribes and true community
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:42 (NIV84) What makes a true community? People use the word community to describe all sorts of social groups. But what constitutes a "true" (real, authentic, fully realized...
Thanks John. Great seeing you and your family yesterday. Nice surprise. Hope you're having a great beach vacation.
Sons becoming fathers
"Your sons will take the place of your fathers..." (Psalm 45:16 NIV). "He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?" (1 Timothy 3:4-5 NLT). I sat out on my deck one evening this...
Thanks to my wife and daughter for your unbiased (not) comments. I love you both.
Sons becoming fathers
"Your sons will take the place of your fathers..." (Psalm 45:16 NIV). "He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?" (1 Timothy 3:4-5 NLT). I sat out on my deck one evening this...
Thanks for your comment Sheila. Blessings!
The mystery of marriage
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her ...
Thanks Rhonda!
You then, my son
"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others" (2 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV). My son, Jonathan David Combs graduated from Southeastern Baptist ...
Well said Mike. We have a similar saying at WCC: "Build a bridge of trust that will bear the weight of Truth."
Why we had an Easter egg hunt in our front yard
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35 ESV). We have well-meaning Christians question our Easter EGGstravaga...
Thanks for commenting Mike. Great to hear from you!
Looking for real
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with ...
Thank you for your encouraging comment David! Please say "hello" the next time you're at WCC. I'd love to put a face with your name.
Prayer isn't a footnote.
"Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again.’" (John 3:5-7 ESV)....
Thanks for the support Debi!
Why we had an Easter egg hunt in our front yard
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35 ESV). We have well-meaning Christians question our Easter EGGstravaga...
Thank you for the prayers Bev and Carol! Bev, with your prayers we now have prayer warriors in several nations for our unborn grandson! May God receive the glory for what He is doing!
Prayer isn't a footnote.
"Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again.’" (John 3:5-7 ESV)....
We are so moved by your comments and prayers! Thank you Anthony and Jamie, Kim, Beverly, Kashi, and Alise!
Prayer isn't a footnote.
"Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again.’" (John 3:5-7 ESV)....
Thank you Rhonda.
Prayer isn't a footnote.
"Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again.’" (John 3:5-7 ESV)....
Thank you Amy and Tamika for your prayers.
Prayer isn't a footnote.
"Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again.’" (John 3:5-7 ESV)....
Thanks #1 Bagger! Bless you!
Countering our culture of consumerism
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Jesus, Luke 12:13-21 ESV). "Compared with their grandparents, today's young adults have grown up with much more affluence, less happiness and much greater risk of dep...
Thanks for your comment, Spinning Wheel. We're making Christmas cookies today and taking them to our neighbors. If you have any other ideas that are working for you, let us know!
25 ways to engage your neighbors with the gospel
"But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor'" (Luke 10:29)? Jesus taught the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer this man's question, "Who is my neighbor?" We're not that different from the Pharisee whom Jesus taught about loving his neighbor. We don't kn...
Thanks for commenting Amy! It just goes to show how important youth pastors are to our students, doesn't it?
What's the greatest blessing of salvation?
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you" (John 14:18 ESV). "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are chi...
Thanks for commenting D.
What's the greatest blessing of salvation?
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you" (John 14:18 ESV). "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are chi...
Thanks Brother Tony! We sure do miss you guys!
Responding to the bread and the cup
"The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, a...
Yes we are Karen. And we're glad to have you on the journey with us!
Greater things?
"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12). What do you think Jesus meant when He said that we would do "greater things?" Will we walk on water or calm the waves? Wi...
Thanks for the great comments, Matt and Jonathan!
Matt, your comment reminds me of Col. 3:23 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." In other words, attempt great things for God!
Jonathan, I love that Lewis quote! You're right to remind us that desires are not necessarily evil, they are fallen (weakened?). Reminds me of Psalm 37:4
"Delight yourself in the LORD,and he will give you the desires of your heart." This verse points to a possible restoration of our desires to God's design.
Raison d'être
"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13). "To be or not to be" (Shakespeare, Hamlet)? What is our purpose? Why do we exist? Or as the French would ask, "What is our raison d'être?" (Our "reason of being, reason for existence, purpose)...
Thanks for commenting on my blog, Aunt Theda. I tried to reply to your email, but it bounced back "undelivered." Would love to see you and Uncle Ralph this summer.
Down to the threshing floor
"So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do" (Ruth 3:6). "His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Luke 3:17). The threshing flo...
Sabra,
You have a great memory. I do remember that day at Grace.
I love preaching from Ruth. A great book.
Down to the threshing floor
"So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do" (Ruth 3:6). "His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Luke 3:17). The threshing flo...
Thanks for commenting on my blog, Jo Ann! It was good to hear from you. Blessings!
Fishing, Doc Watson and an Olds 442
"When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, 'Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!' For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken... Then Jesus said to Simon, 'Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men.' So they pulled their boats...
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