John Maxwell tells a great story about a woman, Thelma, who moved with her husband to a military training center in the middle of the Mojave Desert.
She lived in a one-room shack in the unbearable heat–125 degrees in the shade of cacti. She was lonely with no one to talk to. Thelma hated it. One day she wrote to her parents and told them she was giving up and coming home. She said she would rather be in jail. The 2-line letter her mother wrote back changed her life… Continue reading
Filed under Attitude
There is a story that comes from ancient Greece about the King of Sparta boasting to a visiting monarch about the mighty walls of Sparta.
The guest looked around, but he saw no walls. So, he politely asked to see the walls that his host was so proud of. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Struggle. Sorrow. Supplication. These words describe Jesus in Gethsemane’s garden as Thursday turned into Friday.
The apostles? Surely they sensed it. The hour was late. Much had happened. The last supper. Washing feet. Judas’ departure. And the ensuing walk across the Kedron valley with Jesus teaching. Encouraging. Comforting. Promising. Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
In twenty days we will turn the page on 2013 to 2014. You know what that means, don’t you? New Year’s Resolutions!
Typically resolutions go like this. “In 2014 I resolve to….. go on a diet. Exercise three times a week. Pay off my credit cards. Text less. Read the Bible daily. Pray daily. Be a better Christian.
So how did that approach work for you this year? How many resolutions survived the first month? Or the first week? Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
Sunday evening on the way to worship service, I noticed a light mist on my car’s windshield. We had a skiff of snow early Sunday morning. So, I wondered out loud, “Is that a spray from the cars in front of me?” Or is that sleet?”
On the way home, we found out. Continue reading
Filed under Life
I have just finished reading Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard’s book Killing Jesus.
O’Reilly has taken some heat for not affirming that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. While there are numerous references to Jesus as the Christ from prophetic references, the preaching of John the Baptist, and the statements of Jesus himself, that was not the purpose of the book. Continue reading
Filed under Jesus
P. R. Van Gorder tells the story of a sculptor who was showing a visitor some marble figures displayed in his studio. One unusual sculpture caught the guest’s attention. It had two peculiar features. Where the statue’s face normally would have been, the sculptor had chiseled a covering of hair, and on both feet were wings. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
You may have heard your preacher tell the story of the drawbridge operator. One version goes like this.
In the 1880’s in a remote part of Scotland there was a man whose sole job was to operate the drawbridge that spanned a mighty river. Most of the day the bridge was raised so boats could pass safely through it. But at least twice a day a train would come along and the bridge must be lowered. Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
“Listening requires more than opening your ears.” This observation is from Bernard Ferrari’s book, “Power Listening: Mastering the Most Critical Business Skill of All.”
I haven’t read Ferrari’s book but saw this quote in a review while glancing through the Spirit Magazine on a Southwest flight between Tampa and Kansas City. The article appeared on their “Life Apps Conversationator” page.
“Ferrari proffers advice on smart conversation habits. Here are five to try.” Show Respect. Listen to everyone. Be quiet. Understand emotions. Ask questions. This brief overview shares some examples on how to be an effective listener in business settings using those techniques. Continue reading
Filed under Communication
Last Sunday while we were in Florida for Thanksgiving, Norma Jean and I visited the SkyviewChurch in Pinellas Park. In the mid-1980’s we were a part of that church-Family. So, it was good to return and see old friends and enjoy fellowship.
For the past 28 years Charles Murray has preached for Skyview and now serves as one of their elders. He’s a good man. And a fine gospel preacher. I’ve been thinking about his sermon. It was Biblical. Practical. And relevant to the needs of our day. His text was 1 Cor 12:31-13:1. Continue reading
Filed under Love, Uncategorized
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