Elton Trueblood, the noted and often quoted 20th-century theologian and author of 33 books on very serious subjects once wrote a book entitled “The Humor of Christ.”
It is said that Trueblood was inspired to write on the topic after reading Jesus’ words about a log protruding out of the eye of a hypocrite that made his four-year-old laugh. (Matt 7:3-5) Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
With the beginning of baseball season, this caught my eye on facebook from my friend and preaching colleague, Jim Deason. Jim admits that he was “a passionate Atlanta Braves fan,” but now is just a “casual fan.”
While reading the baseball scores, Jim came across this line regarding the Phillies-Braves game from the night before. “Herrera roped a would-be double to right, but he loafed into second base and was tagged out by Dansby Swanson.” To Jim’s delight, Swanson plays for the Braves, and the loafer, Herrera, the Phillies.
Then, Jim posted this pertinent observation: Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
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 Living
Yesterday was the funeral service for the two slain Gilchrist County Sheriff’s deputies-Noel Ramirez and Taylor Lindsey. It was held in the Bell Middle/High School auditorium. The two were ambushed while eating lunch at a local restaurant in Trenton, Florida last Thursday.
Governor Rick Scott attended and spoke at the funeral expressing his condolences. Law enforcement representatives came from all 67 counties in Florida. There were also representatives from across the country including officers from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Some Canadian officers even attended to pay their respects. Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
This week I am preaching in Gilchrist County, Florida, to a community that is hurting.
On Thursday about 3 p.m. a gunman walked into the Ace China restaurant in Trenton and fatally shot two Gilchrist County Sheriff’s deputies– Sgt. Noel Ramirez and Deputy Taylor Lindsey. He then went outside, got into his car and took his own life. Continue reading
Filed under Suffering
This week Norma Jean and I are in Gilchrist County, Florida. We’ve been here so many times in meetings with various congregations. And it’s where she grew up.
This time we are working with the Midway church of Christ. I’ve been told that it was identified as such because it’s located midway between Trenton and Bell. As I reflect on yesterday’s worship services and our interaction with the brethren the word “gracious” comes to mind. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Have a great weekend because it may be your last. At least according to the so-called “Christian numerologist” David Meade.
Meade predicts the world will end on Monday, April 23rd. Based on his apocalyptic hypothesis from the Old Testament book of Isaiah and the New Testament book of Revelation it will be “cruel day.” It will be filled with “wrath and fierce anger.” Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Sunday Morning my preaching colleague, Benjamin Lee, presented a lesson from Ezekiel 33 entitled “How Will You Respond?” It was a very practical lesson that spoke to our response toward God’s Word.
Ezekiel was a prophet and priest during Judah’s dark days as its people were being carried away into Babylonian captivity and just prior to the destruction of Jerusalem. He was sent to a “rebellious nation” that had transgressed the Word of God (Ezek. 2:5) Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
The New York Times and various other news outlets have been reporting the case of an American Evangelist, Andrew Brunson, who has been imprisoned in Turkey for the past two years.
Recently an official indictment has been handed down against Brunson claiming he has used “Christianization” as a “mask” to engage in “unconventional warfare” against the government. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Is it just me, or does it seem like Christians grumble a lot about paying taxes?
With recent news accounts about government waste, extravagant trips and questionable expenditures of our tax money, it does make paying taxes a bit distasteful at times.
But what would Jesus do? Did Jesus pay taxes? Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
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