Tim Hansel in his book Holy Sweat tells a story about Jimmy Durante, one of the great entertainers of a generation ago.
Durante was asked to be a part of a show for World War II veterans. He told them his schedule was very busy and he could afford only a few minutes, but if they wouldn’t mind his doing one short monologue and immediately leaving for his next appointment, he would come. Of course, the show’s director agreed happily. But when Jimmy got on stage, something interesting happened.
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There’s an old story about the preacher asked to teach a young boys’ Bible Class in the absence of the regular teacher. So He decided to find out how much they knew about the bible.
After asking a few simple questions like, “Who made the earth, sun and stars?” he asked them, “Who knocked down the walls of Jericho?”
All the boys acknowledged their ignorance. None of them could tell him who knocked down the walls of Jericho. Continue reading
Filed under Bible
The famed Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, who died in 1950, made this request regarding his funeral and burial.
“My religious convictions and scientific views cannot at present be more specifically defined than as those of a believer in creative evolution. I desire that no public monument or work of art or inscription or sermon or ritual service commemorating me shall suggest that I accepted the tenets peculiar to any established church or denomination nor take the form of a cross or any other instrument of torture or symbol of blood sacrifice.”
Filed under Cross, Great Bible Verses
When we think of Heroes of Faith our minds go to Hebrews 11. We think of Abel. Enoch. Noah. Abraham. Isaac. Jacob. Joseph. Moses. And Joshua. Their stories are well known. We preach sermons about them. And model them as examples of faith to our children in VBS.
However, this morning I am reading about some other faithful heroes.
Epaenetus. Andronicus. Junia. Amplias. Urbanus. And Stachys. Recognize any of them? Continue reading
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Well, the journey continues. Or it really begins in earnest. The past two weeks we have been moving from North Texas, helping Kenny move, unpacking, and storing stuff in our storage unit. And, of course, enjoying our four grandchildren here in Florida.
Today, we begin our trek toward Ontario, Canada for the summer. And hope to arrive by Friday. While there has been a good deal of planning into the next several months of our journey, I haven’t come up with a really succinct explanation of what we are doing. Continue reading
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This story may be apocryphal, but it is said that when Alexander the Great, who created an empire that stretched from his home in Macedonia to India, arrived in Persia in 334BC he ordered his ships burned.
As his few thousand troops were facing a few hundred thousand of the enemy, one of his commanders asked, “How will we get home?” Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
Last week while in the midst of moving from North Texas and helping Kenny’s family move from Louisiana, we learned of the passing of our friend Bill Hammontree.
Bill was known to many of our readers either through his association with Florida College, his years of selfless service in Rotary, or his dedication and commitment as a Christian.
As I have been reflecting on his passing this week, it reminds me of how many of my mentors and older friends who have positively influenced my life are putting off this mortal body for the immortal one in eternity. It reminds me that I am also quickly moving in that direction.
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“Words mean things. When you put them together they speak,” once observed Samuel R. Delany, the award-winning Science Fiction author.
Politicians, Political pundits, publishers, poets and of course, preachers make use of words to prove a point, push an agenda, or to provide insight. They may be used to challenge preconceived notions. Continue reading
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It’s been just over 30 years ago, that my mom remarked, “I can’t believe I have a son turning 40.”
Well, now, the “tables are turned,” our daughter, Rachél, hit the “BIG 40″ yesterday. It is hard to believe.
These milestones of life and age shouldn’t surprise us. But somehow they sneak up on us. As time marches on. Continue reading
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Yesterday Norma Jean and I visited the West Citrus Church in Crystal River, Florida. It was my pleasure to fill in and speak during the Bible class period, but our real blessing was listening to a lesson by one of their members, Jim Underwood.
Jim began his sermon by reading the words of this country song by singer and songwriter Chris Stapleton.
Daddy don’t pray anymore
I guess he’s finished talking to the lord
He used to fold his hands and bow his head down to the floor
But daddy don’t pray anymore Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
ThePreachersWord 