Monthly Archives: January 2016

January 19, 2016 · 6:24 am

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Message of Character

Martin Luther King

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Everyone recognizes this famous quote from Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech which was delivered 53 years ago this year on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Although Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15th, yesterday was the national holiday, which was signed into law by President Reagan in 1986, that honors the slain civil rights leader. In honor of Dr. King federal offices were closed, tributes were offered, and TV specials chronicled his life and legacy. Continue reading →

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January 18, 2016 · 6:44 am

Word of the Week: Confidence

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I recently watched a video on Time Magazine.com about a Canadian pilot, Raphael Langumier, who took his four-year old daughter on aerobatic plane ride for the first time and filmed her reaction.

The video shows little Léa delightfully laughing and having so much fun that she tells her father to do it again. And again.

Léa’s reaction reminds me of the story I heard several years ago about a little girl who was unaccompanied on a cross-country flight. Continue reading →

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January 17, 2016 · 6:26 am

Jesus Centered Worship

In John’s Revelation, Jesus is the center of worship in the great throne scene in chapter 5. The angels, living creatures and elders along with the number of ten thousand times ten thousand cried out “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor, and glory and blessing!” Continue reading →

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January 15, 2016 · 4:54 am

7 Things Christians Should Remember In An Election Year

Election 2016

“I’m fed up with politics.” I wearily commented to Norma Jean the other night after being fed more political baloney.

Then what did I do about it?

I tuned in last night to watch the Republican debate. Yes, another one! At one point during an exchange of charges and counter charges over their record and positions on the issues, Norma Jean turned to me and asked, “How do you know who is right!? Continue reading →

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January 14, 2016 · 7:18 am

Learning Empathy and Encouragement From First Graders

First Graders

Last Sunday in an NFL wild card game, the Minnesota Vikings lost a heart breaker to the Seattle Seahawks 10-9. It was a classic case of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

With only 26 seconds left in the game, Blair  Walsh, one of the best kickers in the league, had a golden opportunity to be the hero by kicking a 27 yard field goal, a chip shot in the NFL. Instead, he became the goat. Continue reading →

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January 13, 2016 · 6:17 am

GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: 2Timothy 3:16-17

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“If there be anything in my style or thoughts to be commended, the credit is due to my kind parents for instilling into my mind an early love for the Scriptures,” once wrote the 19th century statesman Daniel Webster.

“From the time that, at my mother’s feet or on my father’s knee, I learned to lisp verses from the Sacred Writings they have been my daily study. The older I grow and the more I read the Holy Scriptures, the more reverence I have for them and the more I am convinced that they are not only the best guide for the conduct of this life, but the foundation of all hope respecting the future state.” Continue reading →

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January 12, 2016 · 6:19 am

Learning To Really Be Disciples

 Jesus.Following

My late college room-mate, David Lewis, used to write a blog called “the mannaman’s blog.” His goal was to impart the bread of life from Jesus. In one of his post he relates what it was like for a Jewish boy growing up in Israel who desired to be a Rabbi.

“To be a Rabbi was the greatest thing in the whole world. Because they knew the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) was the passion of the Rabbi, they spent most of their time in the synagogues and schools learning it. Unbelievably, by the time they were 10, if they were able to memorize all five books, they were given a special invitation to become part of a gifted and talented program where by age 14, the goal was to memorize the entire Old Testament.” Continue reading →

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January 11, 2016 · 6:36 am

Word of the Week: Belong

belong. Word. People

In a small Texas town there was a little old lady, Dorothy, who went to the post office every week to buy two stamps. One day, as she got to the counter, the postal worker said, “Dorothy, you know, you don’t have to wait in line to buy stamps. You can get them from the machine over there in books of twenty.” Continue reading →

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January 10, 2016 · 6:06 am

Worship Strengthens

Christians find spiritual strength in many ways. Bible study. Prayer. Fellowship. But one way in which we can derive strength on a regular basis that touches all of our senses is through worship.

One writer defined worship as “an encounter with the living God.” I like that better than “worship experience.” Sometimes too much emphasis is placed on a subjective experience, or a manufactured or contrived experience. It is possible to have an experience, but not experience true, spiritual worship. Continue reading →

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January 8, 2016 · 5:56 am

Rethinking Our 2016 Resolutions

Resolutions.Top 10

How are your 2016 New Year’s Resolutions Going? Have they survived the first week?

Are you still on your diet? Are you working out? Texting less? Listening more? Living within your means? Reading your Bible? Praying daily?

I have two thoughts about why our goals and resolutions may not always be effective and too often jettisoned. One thought comes from John Maxwell and the other from Leonard Sweet. Continue reading →

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