What words, thoughts or mental pictures come to your mind when you hear the word “meek”?
Weak? Wimpy? Wishy-washy?
In the minds of most people a meek man is a “Mr. Milquetoast” kind of character scared of his own shadow. A “yes man” always giving in to others. Or a fellow like Uriah Heep out of a Charles Dickens novel, wringing his hands and whimpering, “I’m so humble, you know, so very humble.” Actually, he was more creepy than meek! Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
S. M. Lockridge (1913-2000) was a prominent African-American preacher known for his dynamic, passionate, and fervent sermons. His most famous sermon was “He’s my King.” Several years ago author and speaker Tony Campolo was so impressed by Lockridge’s lesson on “It’s Friday. But Sunday’s Coming!” that he began to deliver the lesson himself and even wrote a book with that title.
Two years ago we began a Friday column under that heading. Since we have so many new readers I would like to share again a part of that famous sermon by Lockridge. But first a brief explanation. Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
Well, here it is again. My birthday! When you’re a kid they can’t come quickly enough. When you get to my, uh, well, a certain age, they seem to come too quickly!
Some of my favorite stories and quips come to mind this morning.
A census taker knocked on Marg Montgomery’s door. She answered all his questions except one. Her age. Marg was adamant. She wasn’t telling. Continue reading
Filed under Age
Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of a New York City murder that shocked the nation and awoke its collective conscience.
Kitty Genovese, a 28-year old bar manager, was returning to her home in a middle-class area of Queens at 3:00 am. According to the NY Times report, she parked her car and began to walk to her second floor apartment just 35 yards away. But a man grabbed her under the glare of a street light. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Cleland McAfee was a preacher and song writer from Parkville, Mo,. He lived in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. He was known for often writing his own songs that fit the theme of a sermon he was preaching. In 1903 he suffered the tragic loss of two infant nieces to diphtheria.
His daughter, in her book Near to the Heart of God, describes what happened. Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living, God
Words change their meaning. Become euphuisms. Or are highjacked by pop culture to mean something totally different than intended.
There is a classic scene in 1986 movie, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” where the Principle, Mr. Ronney, is discussing with his secretary, Grace, the problem of a wise guy who’s been skipping school.
Ronney says, “I don’t trust this kid any further than I can throw him.” He worries that Ferris Bueller will be a bad influence on the student body and undermine his ability to govern the school Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Last Friday night, Norma Jean and I saw the movie Son of God. Without critiquing the movie’s “mistakes”, overall we enjoyed the movie and found it inspirational.
The thesis of the movie is captured in the title: SON OF GOD. It is in stark contrast to many other movies through the years that cast doubt on Jesus’ Deity. The 1973 Rock Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, written by Andrew Loyd Webber and Tim Rice, pictured Jesus as a mere man, questioning and doubting the whole idea of dying on the cross. Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
“When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life,” once said the 19th century Irish writer and poet, Oscar Wilde. Then he added, “Now that I am old, I know that it is!”
If the truth is known, this may be the feeling of many people today. It seems that money occupies a part of almost every day. We work to make money. Save money. Spend money. Invest money. Give money. Continue reading
Filed under Money
Phillip Yancey, in his book “The Jesus I Never Knew,” tells about a Texas A & M professor, Virginia Owens, who assigned her students to write a short essay on the sermon on the mount. Here’s a sample of some of the student’s reactions: Continue reading
Filed under Culture
Norma Jean and I missed church Sunday.
The winter storm Titan came across KCMO Saturday and Sunday with sleet and snow, making travel hazardous, and forcing many churches to cancel services. Including our Church Family at Hickman Mills.
The whole day was really weird for me. Being home all day. Missing worship. Not preaching. Norma Jean and I really missed assembling with the saints. What did we miss? Continue reading
Filed under Worship
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