In my 50 years of preaching the one problem I’ve found that is pretty consistent in all churches regardless of size, culture, or local customs is the challenge of maintaining good relationships.
Specifically, how do you deal with a personal offense from a brother or sister in Christ?
Recently a reader wrote to ask my perspective on Matthew 18. This post is in response to her questions. Continue reading
Filed under Forgiveness
I read the other day that Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has passed Bill Gates as the richest man in the United States with wealth exceeding $100 Billion.
Suppose Bezos decided to deposit $86,000 every day in your bank account. But with one stipulation. You couldn’t carry over any balance to the next day. You had to spend it, invest it or give it away. You couldn’t let it sit idle in the bank. What would you do? Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
Black Friday. Small Business Saturday. Cyber-Monday. These days following Thanksgiving have become familiar days known for buying. Getting good deals. And jump-starting the Christmas season.
What may not be as well publicized is today. Giving Tuesday. According to their web page, it is a “global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.” Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
P. R. Van Gorder tells the story of a sculptor who was showing a visitor some marble figures displayed in his studio. One unusual sculpture caught the guest’s attention. It had two peculiar features. Where the statue’s face normally would have been, the sculptor had chiseled a covering of hair, and on both feet were wings.
“What is the name of this one?” asked the visitor.
“Opportunity,” the artist answered Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
While I intended to take off Thursday and Friday from blogging, I do want to share this important message with our readers. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Matthew Henry was a well-known, British Bible scholar and Preacher who lived from 1662 to 1714. His commentaries on the Old and New Testament are still in print today.
One day Dr. Henry was riding his horse on the way to a church meeting where he was the guest speaker. As he journeyed through the dense forest a masked bandit suddenly appeared with a gun. He demanded that Henry dismount and hand over all of his money. Fearing for his life, he quickly complied as the robber returned into the woods.
Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
This headline from Sunday’s Washington Post poses an interesting question to some troubling trends in our country: “The Sexual Harassment Epidemic Has Been Diagnosed. What’s the Cure?”
It seems that almost every day new accusations reveal some celebrity, politician or media mogul is guilty of harassing or worse yet sexually assaulting women. Continue reading
Filed under Morality
For many years Dr. Carl Mitchell served as a professor at Harding University, preached for a local church and also served as one of the pastors.
He once related an occasion when he and his fellow elders had asked that the theme of one worship service be focused on gratitude. By that he meant that songs chosen, the communion, the giving, the sermon, and prayers be centered on gratitude. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
A couple was having some marital problems and sought counseling. After interviewing both together the Counselor separated them to discuss the issues individually.
When alone with the husband he asked, “What do you feel is the biggest problem in your marriage?”
“Well, every time we get into an argument,” the husband responded, “my wife gets historical.” Continue reading
Filed under Forgiveness, Love
Here’s a “throwback Thursday” post from over 3 years ago that I hope you will offer you some encouragement in times of challenge, trial, and temptation.
Many years ago Norma Jean gave me a little gift book entitled, “As A Man Thinketh,” by James Allen.
It speaks to the power of thought. The importance of putting into our minds good, wholesome and positive thoughts. And how our thoughts form our character. Allen says, “thought and character are one.”
View original post 574 more words
Filed under Uncategorized
ThePreachersWord 