David and Kristin were attending a marriage seminar. During the session on communication the instructor declared, “It’s essential that husband and wives know the things that are important to each other. He then addressed the husband and asked, “Do you know your wife’s favorite flower?” David leaned over, gently touched his wife’s arm and confidently whispered, Continue reading
Filed under Communication, Encouragement, Words
Curtis Jones relates the legend of a wealthy merchant traveling through the Mediterranean world looking for the distinguished Pharisee, Paul. In time he encountered Timothy, who arranged for a visit. Paul was, at the time, a prisoner in Rome. Stepping inside the cell, the merchant was surprised to find a rather old man, physically frail, but whose serenity and magnetism challenged the visitor. They talked for hours. Finally the merchant left with Paul’s blessing. Outside the prison, the concerned man inquired, “What is the secret of this man’s power? I have never seen anything like it before.” Continue reading
Filed under Enthusiasm, Zeal
I recently read about an internet company that advertised a “hugable, washable, and talking” Jesus doll that recites “actual Scripture verses to introduce children of all ages to the wisdom of the Bible.” for $15.95. Its sayings include, “I have an exciting plan for your life,” and “Your life matters so much to Me.” No matter that these exact sayings aren’t in the Bible, but who wouldn’t want to follow a Jesus like this? Continue reading
Filed under Jesus, Uncategorized, Worship
Have you ever spent time walking through old cemeteries reading the epithets on the tombstones? They’re interesting.
I read of a man who came across an epithet that read: “Remember Friend, as you walk by, as you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so you must be; so prepare for death to follow me.” He felt something was missing so he added the words “To follow you I might consent, if I only knew which way you went!” Continue reading
I’m sitting in Par Automotive in Tampa as I write my blog for today. I came because I noticed a couple of the tires on Norma’s car had a rather balding look to them. Turns out that I need a entire new set. When I pulled in I looked at the maintenance sticker, I was due for an oil change. Ok. No problem.
But I also need a front-end alignment. Well, I guess that comes with the territory. Now my friend, Tim Engle who owns Par, informs me, “You need new brakes!” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Improvement, Self-Examination
There is a great story that comes out of Greece in the 5th century B.C. During the war between two city-states, a spy was captured and sentenced to death. Before the execution he demanded an audience with the Ruler of that city. When the interview was granted, he stood before the Ruler and pled “O great king, if you do not execute me, but instead allow me to live a mere two years longer, I will teach your favorite horse to sing.” Continue reading
Filed under Worry
Do you wear Nike shoes? If you watch TV, I know you’ve seen a Nike commercial and heard the slogan “Just Do It.” But do you know what Nike means? Did you know it is a Bible word?
In Greek mythology Nike was the goddess of victory, who presided over all military and athletic contests. The Greek word nike” (nee’kay) is the word for victory in I John 5:4. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.” Continue reading
Our lives are wrapped up in and revolve around time. Time is a part of our culture and nomenclature.
We live in time zones– Eastern Standard Time, Central Standard Time, Mountain Time, Pacific Time. Atlantic Time. There’s something called Greenwich Mean Time and Universal time. We have solar time and atomic time. And then there’s Day Light Savings Time! Continue reading
Filed under TIme
Bruce Larson, in Believe and Belong, tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ:
For many years I worked in New York City and counseled at my office any number of people who were wrestling with this yes-or-no decision. Often I would suggest they walk with me from my office down to the RCA Building (now the GE Building in Rockefeller Plaza) on Fifth Avenue. In the entrance of that building is a gigantic statue of Atlas, a beautifully proportioned man who, with all his muscles straining, is holding the world upon his shoulders. There he is, the most powerfully built man in the world, and he can barely stand up under this burden. ‘Now that’s one way to live,’ I would point out to my companion, ‘trying to carry the world on your shoulders. But now come across the street with me.’ Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Surrender
“Worship changes the worshiper into the image of the One worshiped.”
This quote by Jack Hayford reminds me of Romans 8:29 where Paul wrote that Christians are to be “conformed to the image of His Son.” In other words we are to become like the One we worship. We are, as Peter put it, to become “partakers of the divine nature.” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Worship
ThePreachersWord 