Monthly Archives: April 2013

April 20, 2013 · 6:53 am

Finding Comfort in Times of Chaos

BostonMarathonBombingThis has been a rough week for Americans.  A chaotic week.  An unnerving week.

First the terrorist bombing at the finish line of the world-famous Boston Marathon. Thankfully the two men who perpetrated these attacks have been caught.  But in the wake of this assault they have left death, destruction and devastation.  Families grieve the loss of loved ones.  People are suffering.  The aftermath will be felt for years to come. For some the rest of their lives. Hurt.  Heartache.  Anguish.  Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Life, Psalms

Tagged as , , , ,

April 19, 2013 · 7:00 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Faces Around the Cross: The Weeping Women

Cross.Women.3Everywhere I have ever preached there have been more women than men. I don’t think that’s because women live longer! It just seems that women in general are more spiritually minded than men.
In fact a 2009 study by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life concluded women are more religious than men: Continue reading →

4 Comments

Filed under Cross, It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!

Tagged as , , , , ,

April 18, 2013 · 8:55 am

9 Ways To Be A Better Christian

betterIt must be Spring-time, since baseball has begun. Although it still seems like winter-time here in Kansas City!  But tell that to the Royals.  They beat the Braves last night in Atlanta 1-0 and are off to a respectable 8-6 start.  Good enough for second place in the American League Central Division.

One of my all time favorite baseball stories involves famed St. Louis Cardinal pitcher, Dizzy Dean, a member of the so-called “gas-house gang.” In 1934 Dizzy had a 30-7 record. He led the league in strike-outs. Led the league in shutouts. And won two games in the World Series, including the deciding seventh game to beat the Detroit Tigers. He was named MVP in 1934. Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Discipleship

Tagged as , , ,

April 17, 2013 · 5:59 am

Who Is Jesus?

Jesus.CollageThe majority of first century Palestinian Jews ultimately rejected Jesus. Why? Because He did not tell people that He was another prophet. He did not tell people “I’m just a man.” He claimed to be More Than just  A Prophet. He claimed to be the Son of God.

These words by Andrew Roberts set the tone and theme of his lecture, “Who Is Jesus?” Tuesday night in Morgantown, West Virgina.  This was the second and final night of his discussion with a Muslim Imam, Sohail Chaudhry on the campus of WVU. The topic was “The Christian View and the Islamic view of Jesus.” Continue reading →

5 Comments

Filed under Jesus

Tagged as , , , , ,

April 16, 2013 · 6:15 am

In Defense of the Bible

Islam Christian DiscussionLast night I attended a religious discussion on the West Virginia University campus.  The topic was “Two World Religions: Two Books.”  Andrew Roberts, a gospel preacher, and Sohail Chaudhry, a Muslim Imam, discussed the differences between the Bible and Quar’an. Continue reading →

7 Comments

Filed under Bible

Tagged as , , , , ,

April 15, 2013 · 7:07 am

Word of the Week: Obey

Little.Boy.ChairThere was a rambunctious little boy who was always getting into trouble.  One particular day when his Mother was trying to get some house work finished, he was into everything.  Undoing what she has done.  Causing havoc.  And generally getting on her nerves.

Finally she said, go sit down in that chair in the corner and be quiet!  He looked at her defiantly and said, “No.”  Well, that did it.  She picked up.  Took him to the chair.  Sit him down with some authority.  And said firmly, “You stay in the chair, until I tell you get up, or you’re going to get a whipping!” Continue reading →

17 Comments

Filed under Obedience

Tagged as , , , ,

April 14, 2013 · 6:05 am

Are You Reading Your Bible?

Bible.HighlightedHave you seen this top 10 list regarding Bible reading?

You may not be reading your Bible enough IF…..

10) The Preacher announces the sermon is from Galatians….. and you check the table of contents.
9) You think Abraham, Isaac & Jacob may have had a few hit songs during the 60’s.
8) You open to the Gospel of Luke and a WWII savings bond falls out.
7) Your favorite Old Testament patriarch is Hercules. Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Bible

Tagged as ,

April 13, 2013 · 7:52 am

Praise the Lord!

CIMG5654Robert Jackson used to tell the story about a man who showed up one Sunday to worship in more formal, liturgical church than he was used to attending. The church was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. That made it all the more obvious when this visitor got excited about something the minister said and he shouted out “Praise the Lord!” Continue reading →

8 Comments

Filed under Psalms, Worship

Tagged as , , ,

April 12, 2013 · 5:45 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Faces Around the Cross: A Temple Servant

MalchusHe was not a major character around the cross.  His place in sacred history is reserved for Bible trivia.  His name is only mentioned once in the Bible.  In the History Channel’s movie, The Bible, we see his face quite often. He is correctly pictured as the servant of the High Priest.  Ironically in one scene Caiaphas, The High Priest, requests that the servant keep his ears open for any disruption caused by this man Jesus.

The servant’s name? Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Cross, It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!

Tagged as , , ,

April 11, 2013 · 8:03 am

Was America a Better Place in the 1950’s?

MickeyMouseClubThe death of Annette Funicello this week has sparked nostalgic reflections of the 1950’s and 60’s by many of us baby boomers.  She was an iconic figure, one of the original “ Mouseketeers,” in the Mickey Mouse Club that aired from 1955-1958.

The America of that era was a more innocent time.  A simpler time.  A wholesome time.    But was America a better place in the Fifties than it is today?  This question was asked by Bill O’Reilly to Monica Crowly and Alan Colmes.  That segment followed Bill’s talking points where in part he made these observations. Continue reading →

12 Comments

Filed under America, Culture

Tagged as , , , , ,