Monthly Archives: September 2013

September 16, 2013 · 7:22 am

Word of the Week: Gospel

Bible.Cross.2This week I will be writing my posts from Trenton, Florida.  I’m in a gospel meeting with the Trenton church of Christ.  It is especially sweet since Trenton is Norma Jean’s home town.  So, she is enjoying seeing her relatives and reconnecting with old friends.

I love coming to Gilchrist county.  It’s a joy to preach the gospel here.  They turn out for Gospel Meetings from all the other churches in the county.  And they are very supportive and encouraging of gospel preaching.

As I reflect on preaching here, I am reminded of an old saying about the gospel by a 19th century preacher, Walter Scott.   Continue reading →

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September 13, 2013 · 6:45 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! A Time to Be Silent

jesusbeforepilat

In his book, The World of Silence, published in 1948, the  Swiss philosopher Max Picard opined: “Nothing has changed the nature of man so much as the loss of silence,” once as natural as the sky and air.”  I wonder what Max would think today?  With the constant chatter of our modern world of communication, there’s  not a lot silence!

There is an ancient proverb that says “Silence is golden.”  Sometimes it’s better to listen. To refrain from responding.  To ignore insults.  To turn a deaf ear to absurd accusations.  Continue reading →

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September 12, 2013 · 5:21 am

Reflections: 9/11, Twelve Years Later

WTC_Silhouette

Yesterday over our morning coffee, Norma Jean and I were reflecting about September 11, 2001.

We were living in Spring Hill, TN.  And I was preaching for the Jackson Heights church in Columbia.   As I was getting ready to go to the office Norma Jean yelled for me to come into the family room.  She said, “A plane has hit one of the twin towers.”  Like millions of Americans we watched in amazement as a plane hit the other tower.  Then the Pentagon was hit.  And then the report of the crash in PA. Later we learned of the heroism that prevented another catastrophic  strike.

That day I did not go to the office. Continue reading →

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September 11, 2013 · 6:46 am

9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance

I.WIll

“It’s been 12 years and a lot of times I get disappointed because Sept. 11 has just become another date on the calendar.” says Fairview, New Jersey Police Chief Frank Del Vecchio.

So Del Vecchio decided last year to do something to honor and help the families and friends who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001.  He raised $12,000 for a children’s charity through a memorial run that began at his home in Ridgewood, NJ to the World Trade Center site.  This year he is running again.  And hopes to raise more money. Continue reading →

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September 10, 2013 · 6:16 am

How Can I Know God’s Will?

GodsWill

I was talking to a lady last week who was being evicted from her apartment.  She  expected the Judge to evict her in three days.  However, to her surprise,  she was given two weeks.

She suggested to me that it was God’s will.  God gave her an extra two weeks.  I’m not so sure that apartment manager thought it was the will of God for this woman to get two months of free rent! Continue reading →

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September 9, 2013 · 7:32 am

Word of the Week: Righteousness

righteousnessA family had the habit of treating their children for ice cream after the church service. One Sunday the father decided to break the habit. The children were not happy about it. They started whining. The father decided to use spirituality to deal with the situation. He asked, “Where in the Bible is it said that we should eat immediately after the service?” Continue reading →

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September 6, 2013 · 6:57 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! What shall I do with Jesus?

Jesus.Pilate

Legendary football Coach Lou Holtz was in his first season at Arkansas.

The #6 Razorbacks were playing the #2 Oklahoma Sooners in the 1978 Orange Bowl. Both teams were 10-1, yet Arkansas was an 18-point underdog. But then Holtz suspended three top players for violation of team rules. Now Arkansas was a 24-point underdog!

Following the suspensions, the press was livid.  12 Arkansas  players threatened not to play. But Holtz didn’t back down. Continue reading →

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September 5, 2013 · 7:38 am

Anger. Identity. And a Change of Heart.

AngryBusinessmanThe United flight was cancelled. The airport was crowded. And a single gate agent was rebooking a long line of inconvenienced travelers.

Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket down on the counter and demanded, “I HAVE to be on this flight and it has to be FIRST CLASS.”
The agent replied, “I’m sorry sir. I’ll be happy to help you, but I’ve got to help these folks first.   But I’m sure we’ll work something out.”
Unimpressed, the man shouted, so everyone could hear, “Do you have any idea who I am?” Continue reading →

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September 4, 2013 · 7:20 am

Where is the Tolerance and Respect for Diversity?

AaronMelissaKlein

(This post received the 5th most hits from our readers in 2013)

Aaron and Melissa Klien have been the subject of protests.  Boycotts. And Public outrage.   In fact Oregon’s Bureau of Labor and Industries has launched an official investigation.
“Everybody is entitled to their own beliefs, Commissioner Brad Avakian told The Oregonian but that doesn’t mean that folks have the right to discriminate.” Presumably in referring to the Klien’s, Avakian also said,  “The goal is to rehabilitate.”

So who are Aaron and Melissa Klien?  And what intolerable offense did they commit? Continue reading →

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September 3, 2013 · 6:51 am

Three Keys To Success

DianaNyad

I’ve tried and failed.  Several times.  So why try again?

I’m too old now.  If I was younger, I might.  But, I’m past my prime.

And besides, I can’t do it myself.  And I doubt anyone would want to help me.

These three excuses have kept more people from trying, more people from succeeding, and more people from a richly rewarding life than we can ever imagine.

Yet, it doesn’t have to be that way.  Just ask Diana Nyad.  Continue reading →

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