There’s an old story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. One day she was approached by a man who said to her,
“Little girl, don’t you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn’t beautiful like the one you’re wearing? It was an ugly, wooden thing.”
She was surprised by the stranger’s affront. But then quickly replied: Continue reading
Filed under Cross, It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
A poem that I memorized years ago by the British poet, Alexander Pope came to mind this week. It goes like this.
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen;
Yet seen too often, familiar with her face,
We first pity, then endure, then embrace
The moral code and compass of our culture has moved considerably during my life time. The things that were once shocking and abhorrent, are now accepted, endured and in some circles embraced. Continue reading
Melvin Newland relates a touching story from the Special Olympics several years ago. The children were having a great time and competing with tremendous dedication and great enthusiasm. One event was the 220-yard dash. The contestants came to the starting line and at the signal took off as fast as they could.
One boy by the name of Andrew quickly took the lead. And soon was about 50 yards ahead of everybody else. As he approached the final turn he looked back and saw that his best friend had fallen and hurt himself on the track. Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living, compassion, Ministry
On this day in history 83 years ago William Beebe set a record. On June 11, 1930, Beebe dove to a record-setting depth of 1,426 feet off the coast of Bermuda. He used a diving chamber, invented by Otis Barton, called a bathysphere.
This caught my eye because of the derivation of the word “bathysphere.” It’s a compound word. The first part comes from the Greek word “bathos” which means deep. It’s used by Paul in explaining the revelation of God’s Word by the Holy Spirit. Continue reading
Lucy and Linus were sitting in front of the television set when Lucy said to Linus, “Go get me a glass of water!”
Linus looked surprised, “Why should I do anything for you? You never do anything for me.”
“On your 75th birthday,” Lucy promised, “I’ll bake you a cake.”
Linus got up, headed to the kitchen and said, “Life is sure more pleasant when you have something to look forward to.”
Our Bible word of the week is “hope.” Continue reading
Filed under Hope, Word of the Week
Many people in Jennie Hussey’s circumstances would have looked for a way out. A way of escape. A way of relief. But not this woman. Not Jennie Hussey.
When friends and neighbors came to visit and cheer up Jennie, they were received with her radiant smile and spirit of joy. No griping. No grumbling. No complaining. But an attitude of encouragement that both amazed and lifted her friends.
For most of her life, this 5th generation Quaker lived in the same New Hampshire farmhouse as her ancestors. For decades Jennie worked tirelessly as she cared for and attended to the needs of her helpless, invalid sister.
How did she do it? Why did she do it? What was Jennie Hussey’s secret? Continue reading
Filed under Cross, It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus.
Do you know who they are? In what book of the Bible are they mentioned? Old or New Testament? You won’t find them in Hebrews 11–The Spiritual “Hall of Fame.”
More than likely they are reserved for the answer to a Bible Trivia game. They are filed under Miscellaneous. Unidentified. Or unknown.
Give up? Continue reading
Filed under Encouragement
I ate at Mad Jack’s in KCMO today for the first time, which by the way I recommend. While waiting for my fish sandwich, I picked up a copy of the Coffee News. It’s free little paper with Quotes, Weird Stories, Jokes and of course your weekly horoscope! Under quotes, this one really resonated with me. Continue reading
Filed under Service
It topples governments,
wrecks marriages,
ruins careers,
busts reputations,
causes heartaches, nightmares, indigestion,
spawns suspicion, generates grief,
dispatches innocent people to cry in their pillows.
Even its name hisses.
Do you know what is it? Continue reading
Filed under Gossip
A Sunday school teacher was teaching her kindergarten children about the Golden Rule and the importance of helping others. After telling the parable of the Good Samaritan, the teacher said, “Remember, children we are here to serve others.” Continue reading
Filed under Service, Word of the Week
ThePreachersWord 