Monthly Archives: January 2017

Life Is All About Change

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Love him or loathe him, but one thing is for sure, President Donald Trump has really brought change to Washington in just 10 days!

His demeanor, personality, approach, retorts, and of course, constant tweeting is change from every past President. Some like it. Others hate it so much their responses border on the irrational. Already there is a web site, ironically called change.org, demanding for the impeachment of President Trump. Continue reading

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Word of the Week: Enthusiasm

enthusiasm 

Years ago I read a book by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale entitled Enthusiasm Makes the Difference. In it Peale presents the thesis that while life is full of disappointments, discouragements and challenges, the one ingredient that can make the difference between success and failure is enthusiasm. Continue reading

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Sunday Seed Thoughts: Love Listens

Seed Thoughts

This morning I’m preaching on “Love is Kind” from 1Corinthians 13:4. Here’s a touching story from that lesson about Joseph Bayly. Three of his seven children died at young ages. So he was intimately acquainted with the pain of death and was all too familiar with what he once called the enemy’s “grim violence.”

From Bayly’s book, A View from the Hearse, he shares this emotional encounter following the burial of one of his sons. Continue reading

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Ignorance in Action

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I opened my Franklin planner is this morning to this quote of the day by the 18th century German novelist and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: “There is nothing more frightening than ignorance in action.”

I don’t know the context in which Goethe made this statement. I’m guessing from the social, political or philosophical viewpoint. Whatever the case, many of our problems exist when we blindly move forward without the proper facts or knowledge about what we are doing. Continue reading

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What Is Your Position In Life?

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We may sometimes feel like the story Mark Smith told about his son in a Reader’s Digest article.

“Like many high school seniors, my son was filling out college-scholarship applications. One form asked for extracurricular activities.

He answered: “wrestling.”

The next question requested “positions held.” Continue reading

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Great Verses of the Bible: Romans 12:9

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Romans 12 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I like it because it’s simple, direct, and relevant. It speaks to the essence of my Christian life. It reminds me, as Warren Wiersbe put it, that “doctrine and duty always go together.”

Each verse powerfully presents practical exhortations that, when applied, will make my life better. My relationships stronger. And my Christianity visible to others who witness my daily walk. Continue reading

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Why The “Black Letters” Are Just As Important As The “Red Letters”

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Local man Brian Reed was startled Monday to learn from an internet search that the black letters in his Bible are every bit as authoritative as the red letters.

“I (thought sure) the words of Jesus were, like, extra inspired,” he explained to sources. “Except for Revelation 2 and 3. He sounds a little peeved there.”

“(Wow), I even returned a Bible to Family Christian one time after realizing there were no red letters in it. I totally thought it was defective.” Continue reading

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An Ignominious Anniversary

Since yesterday was the 44th anniversary of Roe v Wade, and January is “Right to Life” month, I am reposting this post from 2 years ago. Please pass it on.

ThePreachersWord

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Today is the 42th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion. That epic decision has now left over 57 million babies dead. And many women scarred for life. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. And Spiritually.

I agree with Norma McCorvey “I don’t think there is a good reason for an abortion….“It’s not your body, it’s not your choice, because you got that from God. He gave it to you.”

“Who’s Norma McCorvey?”  you ask.  “And what right does she have to say that?”

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Sunday Seed Thoughts: It’s All About Love

Seed Thoughts

“It’s not a stretch to say that the entire Bible is a book about love,” writes my friend and fellow preacher, Eric Reynolds, from Fayetteville Tennessee.

Eric continues this thought with these Biblical observations. “Jesus says the greatest commands are to love God and love your neighbor, and that all the law and the prophets hang on these two commands.” (Matt 22:37-40) Continue reading

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9 Principles To Guide Us During A Trump Presidency

inauguration-day

Today is the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as 45th President of the United States. As a sure sign that I’m getting older, he will he the 13th President to govern since I was born. And 6 of them served 2 terms!

I plan to watch the Inauguration. It’s fascinating to see history unfold before your eyes while sitting the warm confines your home. It’s interesting to hear the opinion of the talking heads and reflect on their commentary. And it’s intriguing to see the interaction of political foes who for one day seek to be civil to one another. At least, that has been our tradition. Continue reading

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