“You had better count your blessings,” is a retort often given to someone who is feeling sorry for themselves, or who have experienced some “bad luck.”
What’s usually meant is be thankful for what you have instead of what you don’t have. It is then that we are often reminded that we still have good health, a loving family, and a roof over our heads. Or anything else that we can physically or materially name.
But is that all there is? Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Melvin Newland tells a story about a little boy who had a special, secret place to hide and be all alone.
On the back of their property was an old fruit tree. It had lots of leaves, but it had produced no fruit in years. High up in its branches, hidden from view by the leaves, there was a perfect spot for him to pretend being Tarzan of the jungle, or the commander of a space ship, or anyone a little boy could dream about. It was also a place to hide when he felt mistreated or misunderstood.
So you can imagine how he felt when he heard his father telling his mother, “I think I’ll cut down that old fruit tree. It hasn’t borne any fruit in years.”
What could the little fella do? Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
In 1624 the English author and poet John Donne was confined to his bed with a serious illness. As he laid there alone with his thoughts, he heard the ringing funeral bells of an adjoining church house.
As Donne reflected on the transitory nature of life and the reality of death, he responded with these words that would forever cement his place in literary history. Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
Last summer while on our 50th wedding anniversary cruise, we visited Gibraltar, a British territory. While up on “the Rock,” we had to walk through an area with a very low clearance. On either side of the opening was the warning “Mind Your Head.”
Apparently, this is a decidedly British expression, because in London there is a sign when riding the Tube, “Mind The Gap.” ” It’s a warning for you to watch your step so you don’t fall into the space between the platform and the train. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Last week we published a post, “Are the Ten Commandments Binding Today?” In response one of our regular readers asked us to write about our position on the 4th commandment.
If you haven’t read last week’s post, click here to read it first. Continue reading
There’s a story that’s been around for a long time that’s been used by authors, politicians and public speakers about how to boil a frog.
Supposedly a scientific experiment was conducted in the 19th century where a frog was placed in a pan of hot water and it immediately jumped out. But the researcher found that if they placed it in a pan of cool water, it would placidly float along. Then they learned if they gradually increased the temperature the frog would sink into a tranquil stupor and finally allow itself to be boiled to death. Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
“How do people go so far astray spiritually?” Asked Joe Stowell in his book Following Christ.
This question was raised when Stowell read an article in his local paper about a man, Tom Wilson, who was gunned down as a member of a Neo-Nazi gang.
Tom had grown up in the church where Stowell preached. He had confessed Christ and was baptized. And was active in the church as a teenager. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Today, January 22nd is the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, when United States Supreme Court struck down protections for babies before they were born.
For the past 45 years, Pro-Life Advocates have organized a peaceful protest in Washington, D.C. Although, most major new media outlets ignored it, this year’s march numbered in the hundreds of thousands.
This year’s theme, “Unique from Day One: Pro-Life is Pro-Science” emphasizes the increased role of medical and technological advances that affirm the pro-life movement. Dr. David Prentice and Dr. Grazie Christie, a Radiologist, joined with Jeanne Mancini, President of “March for Life.” They discussed how this theme embodies the pro-life movement. Continue reading
Filed under Abortion
The seed thought for our word today came from a recent “Minute with Maxwell” video by leadership guru John Maxwell.
John says whenever he’s working with someone and they are not performing well he always asks two questions about that person: (1) Can he or she? And (2) Will he or she?
“Can he” speaks to one’s ability. Sometimes an individual is trying to do something, but not being successful because they don’t possess the innate capacity to accomplish the task. Maybe they are unqualified. Lack the necessary skills. Or even the knowledge required to be successful. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
This week all the rage has been Gillette’s controversial ad. It opens with the narrator asking “Is this the best a man can get?”
The opening scenes show men and boys bullying, being obnoxious and harassing women. As men stand behind their barbecue grills and two little boys fight, the men are muttering “boys will be boys” implying that bad behavior is justified.
Interestingly the response has been mixed. First there was a backlash. Now there’s a backlash against the backlash. The YouTube video currently stands at 145,000 likes and 454,000 dislikes. Continue reading
Filed under Relationships
ThePreachersWord 