Names are important to God. In the Bible one’s name often reflected some characteristic of the person or event at their birth.
For instance, Isaac’s name means “laughing.” Jacob means “deceiver.” Moses, “drawn out.”
Names may reflect some aspect of one’s life or character such as “Simon the Zealot,” “John the Baptist, or “Herod the Great.” Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
My good friend, the late R. J. Stevens, loved to tell stories and jokes. This morning I was reminded of him when I came across this one. I heard him tell it several times.
A lady is walking around a pet store enjoying looking at the various animals when she stops to admire a parrot. Suddenly the parrot says, “Braaaaaak, Hey lady, you’re really ugly!” Continue reading
Filed under Bible
Dr. Richard Swenson is a physician and a futurist, who wrote a 1990’s book entitled, “Margin.” He describes modern society as harried, hassled, and overloaded with no room left for rest.
Dr Swenson observes, “Overload is not having time to finish the book you’re reading on stress. Margin is having time to read it twice. Overload is fatigue. Margin is energy. Overload is red ink. Margin is black ink. Overload is hurry. Margin is calm. Overload is anxiety. Margin is security. Overload is a disease of our day. Margin is the cure. I agree with much of his book as it applies to schedules, commitments and balance in the stress of daily living. There is some excellent advice offered. And even an acknowledgment of understanding God’s purpose for our lives. But there is a bigger problem. And the need for a greater cure. A doctor is needed. But it is the Great Physician. Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
In his morning Transcript today, Cal Thomas, wrote about the recent death of Swedish actress Anita Ekberg. I didn’t recognize her name or the famous film that Thomas mentioned. So I googled her name.
Anita Ekberg is described as an “International Screen Beauty” and a “1950’s Sex Symbol.” But she did appear in the movie “Abbott and Costello Go to Mars.” So, I may have seen her years ago and didn’t remember! However, what caught my attention was a quote that came during an interview at her 75th birthday. Continue reading
Filed under Hell
There is an ancient legend of a dispassionate young man who approached the Greek philosopher and casually said, “O, great Socrates, I come to you to learn wisdom and knowledge.”
The muscular philosopher led the young man down to the sea, waded in with him, and then dunked him under the water for thirty seconds. When he let the young man up for air, Socrates asked him to repeat what he wanted. “Knowledge, O great one,” he sputtered with a smile. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Paul Gerhardt, the 17th century German preacher, was also a great composer of hymns, During the “Thirty Year War” that ravaged central Europe, Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home.
One night as they huddled in a small village inn, homeless and afraid, his wife broke down and cried openly in despair. To comfort her, Gerhardt reminded her of God’s promises of provision and protection. Then, going out to the garden to be alone, he too broke down and wept. He had come to his darkest hour. Soon afterward, however, Gerhardt felt the burden lifted and sensed anew the Lord’s presence. Taking his pen, he wrote this hymn: Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
In his book, “God in My Corner,” former heavyweight boxing champion, George Foreman, shares this personal story about the Bible.
“In 1974, before I went to Africa to fight Muhammad Ali, a friend gave me a Bible to take along on my trip. He said, “George, keep this with you for good luck.”
“I believed the Bible was just a shepherd’s handbook, probably because the only verse I knew was “the Lord is my shepherd.” But I was always looking for luck, so I carried that Bible with me. I had lucky pennies and good luck charms, so now I added the “lucky” Bible to my collection of superstitious items.” Continue reading
Filed under Bible
Everyone has faith. Faith in something. Or faith in someone. A Houston preacher, John Bisagno, put it this way:
“Faith is the heart of life. You go to a doctor whose name you can’t pronounce. He gives you a prescription you cannot read. You take it to a pharmacist you have never seen. He gives you medication you do not understand — and yet, you take it.” Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
Each night on the O’Reilly Factor, Bill closes with the “Tip of the Day.” Some “tips” suggest books to read, shows to see, habits to avoid or attitudes to develop. Last night’s tip was especially good. And it was Biblical! Continue reading
Filed under Self-Examination
In his book, Making the Most of Life, Leroy Brownlow tells a story about an accomplished marksmen who was passing through a small community one day. Soon he saw evidence of amazing shooting skills. On barns, trees, fences, everywhere there were targets with a hole in the exact center of the bull’s eye. He had to find this amazing marksman.
Upon meeting the marksman and congratulating him, he asked, “”You’re shooting beats anything I’ve ever seen; How do you do it? ” Continue reading
Filed under Goals, Uncategorized, Word of the Week
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