Monthly Archives: August 2017

Who Knows the Providence of God?

There was once an old Scottish woman who went from home to home across the countryside selling thread, buttons, and shoestrings. When she came to an unmarked crossroad, she would toss a stick into the air and go in the direction the stick pointed when it landed.

One day, however, she was seen tossing the stick up several times. “Why do you toss the stick more than once?” someone asked. Continue reading

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Great Verses of the Bible: Acts 10:38

George and Alex Jackson were among the residents who answered the call from local police departments to help those stranded by the floods.

The roads in their neighborhoods were flooded so badly that they looked like canals, but the brothers used their motor boat to provide assistance.

“There’s some older people that needed some attention and we’re trying to convince them the best thing they can do is get out,” George Jackson told “Good Morning America. Continue reading

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The Heart of the Problem

 

Before we left on our anniversary trip, many cities and towns were engaged in removing various Confederate statues and flags in wake of the senseless and shameful events that occurred in Charlottesville, VA.

I joked to Norma Jean that the “Six Flags Over Texas” would have to change its name to “Five Flags.” Upon returning, I’ve learned that while they haven’t changed the name, the theme park has decided to remove all the flags and replace them with six American flags. Continue reading

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Word of the Week: Neighbor

Yesterday afternoon as I watched the news reports of the incredible flooding of Houston neighborhoods, streets, and even interstate highways, I was soon struck by the unselfish kindness of complete strangers coming to the aid of others.

Volunteers were coming with their boats to rescue families trapped in their homes. Older people who were helpless in nursing homes. And some stranded in their cars.

One news commentator observed that it was ”the worst of times bringing out the best in people.” Another said, “Yes, it is neighbor helping neighbor.” Continue reading

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IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Three Views of Three Crosses

Crosses.  You see them everywhere.  On houses of worship.  On grave markers. As ornate pieces of jewelry worn as a necklace, bracelet or even earrings.

We celebrate the cross. We glamorize it.  We even romanticize it. We all know what it means.  It’s the symbol of Christianity. It represents salvation. It reminds us of Jesus.  Continue reading

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Does God Have A Sense of Humor?

Giraffe

Several years ago Dr. Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertforshire in England did a serious study to determine the world’s funniest joke.  Over 40,000 jokes were submitted.  Rated.  And judged.

The experiment demonstrated that people in different parts of the world have varying tastes in humor.  Americans like jokes with a character who’s made to look stupid.  New Zealanders, Australians and Brits prefer jokes involving word play.  Germans had no preference in jokes.

But, here’s  the joke that won first place regardless of gender, geography or age. Continue reading

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GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE John 8:32

BlindMen.Elephant

Lillian Quigley, in her children’s book, The Blind Men and the Elephant, recounts the famous fable of six blind men who encounter an elephant for the first time. In the story each man touches a part of the elephant and draws his own conclusion of what an elephant is like. Continue reading

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Making the Most of Opportunity

A young man was in love with a farmer’s beautiful daughter.  When he went to the farm to ask for her hand in marriage, the farmer said, “Son, you can marry my daughter if you can catch one of my bulls by the tail.  I’ll give you three chances.” Continue reading

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Word of the Week: Disciple

Jesus.Following

When the Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff  first came to the United States he jokes that he wasn’t prepared for the incredible variety of instant products available in American grocery stores.

“On my first shopping trip” he says, “I saw powdered milk–you just add water, and you get milk. Then I saw powdered orange juice–you just add water, and you get orange juice. And then I saw baby powder, and I thought to my self, what a country!”  Continue reading

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Sunday Seed Thoughts: Forgiveness

Seed Thoughts

Without forgiveness we cannot worship God acceptably. Obviously this is true in terms of our relationship with God, but it is also true regarding our fellow-man. Jesus said, “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt 6:15) Continue reading

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