Monthly Archives: April 2013

April 10, 2013 · 6:44 am

She Did What She Could

Garden.2LeRoy Brownlow, in one of his devotional books, tells a great story about a little lady in a small Northeastern town.  Next door to her humble house was a vacant lot.  It was untended.  Growing only weeds.  And was worrisome eyesore.

One day an idea occurred to her that would solve the problem.  She decided to turn the lot into a vegetable garden. She would give away the produce to help needy people.  What she didn’t use or give away, she would sell and give the money to her church.

Her name for the garden?  God’s garden. Continue reading →

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April 9, 2013 · 8:17 am

Rekindling Spiritual Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm.SpiritualLast night Norma Jean I joined 74,326 pumped-up fans  who watched the championship game of the men’s NCAA basketball tournament between Louisville and Michigan.  Well, not from the Georgia Dome!  But from our home.

The game was exciting.  Both teams played with passion.  The fans were boisterous. The coaches were high-spirited.  The announcers were exuberant.  The game and everything around it could be described in one word “enthusiastic”!

Yet none of this mattered.   At least that’s what Dr. Keith Ablow  said on Meghan Kelly’s  American Live yesterday on Fox News.   Continue reading →

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April 8, 2013 · 8:18 am

Word of the Week: Truth

Truth.BoulderA businessman was interviewing applicants for the position of divisional manager. He devised a simple test to select the most suitable person for the job. He asked each applicant the question, “What is two and two?”

The first interviewee was a journalist. His answer was “twenty-two.”

The second applicant was an engineer. He pulled out a calculator and showed the answer to be between 3.999 and 4.001.

The next person was a lawyer. He stated that in the case of Jenkins v. Commr. of Stamp Duties, two and two was proven to be four.

The last applicant was an accountant. The businessman asked him, “How much is two and two?”

The accountant got up from his chair, went over to the door, closed it then came back and sat down. He leaned across the desk and said in a low voice, Continue reading →

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April 7, 2013 · 6:55 am

AWESOME!

Awesome.MoonFriday night Norma Jean and I joined several friends from our Hickman church family for a meal in Overland  Park, Kansas, at a restaurant called Wil Jenny’s.  It was our first visit there.  In fact, I had never heard of it.  So, trying to get some recommendations, I asked the server about two or three menu items.   Naturally he said they were all good.  But then he surprised me by saying, “The meal loaf is awesome!”  Really? Continue reading →

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April 6, 2013 · 10:06 am

Help and Hope For the Heavy Heart

Sorrow

Though written 3,000 years ago, the collection of Psalms are timeless as they address the human condition.  They speak to hearts that are heavy with sorrow, consciences laden with sin, and spirits that are crushed by outside circumstances often beyond our control.

So, what can we do? Read Psalms 56-60.  They  provide wonderful insights and answers.  Here are five things from these Psalms that will help and offer hope.  Continue reading →

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April 5, 2013 · 5:14 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Faces Around The Cross: The Political High Priests

annas.caiaphas“In looking at the faces around the cross, which do you think was the most sinister?  On whose shoulders above all others rests the responsibility for this supreme crime of history? Whose hands are the most stained by this innocent blood? ”

These questions raised by Clovis Chappel, a preacher of the early 20th century, are interesting and intriguing.

Was it the betraying Judas?  The denying Peter? The cowardly Pilate?  The clamoring Jewish crowd? The suborned witnesses?  The brutal Roman soldiers?   Continue reading →

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April 4, 2013 · 8:11 am

Does it Matter What We Believe?

Islam Christian DiscussionIn a Peanuts comic strip, Linus and Charlie Brown are engaged in serious conversation.

“I have a theological question,” says Linus, “When you die, and go to Heaven, are you graded on a percentage or on a curve?”

“On a curve, naturally,” Charlie responds.

Linus is clearly puzzled and asks, “How can you be so sure?”

Cheerfully Charlie answers, “I’m always sure about things that are a matter of opinion. Continue reading →

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April 3, 2013 · 8:25 am

What’s Going to Happen Tomorrow?

TomorrowWell, the Final Four of the NCAA is being played in Atlanta this weekend. So, how are your brackets looking?

You know the one where you predicted Duke, St Louis, VCU and Miami  to be in the Final Four of the NCAA basketball tournament? Or for Michigan State to win it all? What happened to your Cinderella teams!

Oh, and who had Florida Gulf Coast University in the Sweet Sixteen?  I know of no one except my wife, Norma Jean!  I didn’t believe it.  But sure enough she did!  When I asked, “Why?”  She said, “I picked all Florida teams!  And I just like them!”  So, much for expert analysis. Continue reading →

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April 2, 2013 · 7:42 am

How To Turn Tragedy into Triumph

UofL.DukeI’ve watched a lot of college basketball games. But none like the one Sunday evening between the University of Louisville and Duke.

It was the most shocking moment I’ve ever seen on a basketball court.  It literally sucked the energy out of the arena as 35, 657 fans who were wildly cheering one moment sat in stunned silence the next.  Continue reading →

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April 1, 2013 · 7:39 am

Word of the Week: Fool

FoolD. L. Moody was a famous19th century preacher known for his evangelistic campaigns, which attracted large crowds.  These meetings were often attended by hecklers who were in violent disagreement with his teaching.

In the final service of one meeting, an usher handed Moody a note as he approached the lectern. It was from an atheist who had been giving Mr. Moody a great deal of trouble. The evangelist, however, supposed that is was an announcement, so he quieted the large audience and prepared to read it. Opening the folded piece of paper he found scrawled in large print only one word: “Fool!” The colorful preacher was equal to the occasion. He looked around the audience and said…. Continue reading →

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