I’ve been watching some of the Republican National Convention this week. I noticed, not too surprisingly, most of the speakers in one way or another advocate the importance of values.
We’ve heard about values of honor. Honesty. Hard Work. Integrity. Truthfulness. Law and Order. Respect. And, of course, Republican values. Continue reading
Filed under Values
After the ten-year-old’s first voice lesson, his teacher was adamant: “You can’t sing. You haven’t any voice at all. Your voice sounds like the wind in the shutters.”
Despite this discouragement, the boy’s mother heard greatness in his voice. She believed in him. And encouraged him. “My boy,” she said, “I am going to make every sacrifice to pay for your voice lessons.”
The mother’s faith, encouragement and hard work eventually paid off. Maybe you will recognize the boy’s name. Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
“Are you Running on Spiritual Fumes?” was the title of a post last week. It spoke to the need of engaging in regular Bible study. We suggested that if you are spiritually sputtering through life, you need to refuel with God’s Word, the Bible.
One of my readers responded with this comment. “Religion is poor people’s shield….Weaker people need a book to depend (on). Why (do) you need a book when the Almighty is here with you?
Filed under Bible
“What’s in a name?” opined Juliet in Shakespeare’s famous play Romeo and Juliet.
Her answer: “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
This idea has often been applied religiously. Throughout my years of preaching I’ve heard people say, “There’s nothing in a name!”
But, is that really so? Continue reading
Filed under Christian, Word of the Week
“The gift without the giver is bare.” —James Russell Lowell
These words by the America poet remind us of the importance of giving with the right spirit, and the right attitude, No one wants to receive a gift that is given by compulsion. But a gift given with care and consideration, with purpose and pleasure is one that is appreciated Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
With all the bad things going on in the world around, it’s time for a little humor to begin our Saturday. The following are reputed to be answers that students of various ages gave on quizzes from their Bible classes. Continue reading
Filed under Humor
“Too often, we judge other groups by their worst examples, while judging ourselves by our best intentions.”
This memorable line is by former President George W. Bush as he spoke at the memorial service for the 5 slain Dallas police officers. Mr. Bush was brief in his remarks. Only 6 ½ minutes. But they were passionate. Powerful. And penetrating. His words have been tweeted. Retweeted. Posted on facebook. And the subject of newspaper articles and TV news shows. Continue reading
Filed under Relationships
I have some great facebook friends who post some meaningful, insightful and often challenging thoughts that inspire and encourage me. The following is from Sheri Mauck, the wife of a preaching colleague, Tony Mauck, that she posed a few days ago.
“If you are a grown-up Christian who was ‘raised right’, learning the Bible in Bible class, hearing sermons, singing songs and you think you already ‘know’ the Bible so you don’t read it EVERY DAY, because you ‘already know it’, you will find that you are struggling to grow.” Continue reading
David DeWitt tells a funny story about Chippie the parakeet. He was simply minding his own business and singing his song one day when his owner decided to clean out his cage with the vacuum cleaner. The phone rang and the lady went to answer it and that was when things began to go horribly wrong for little Chippie. Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses, Love, Uncategorized
“What advice would you give young black men to overcome their fear?”
This question was posed by a reporter to Dallas Police Chief, David Brown, in a news conference Monday.
I love his answer. Continue reading
Filed under America, Relationships
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