Monthly Archives: July 2019

July 31, 2019 · 8:16 am

A Passage To Ponder: Matthew 13:31-32

You’ve probably never heard of Ryan Hrelgac from Kemptville, Ontario, Canada. But he’s an incredible young man.

When Ryan was only 6 years old, he learned in school of children in African villages who didn’t have access to clean drinking water. So, he began raising money to help by doing household chores. In a period of 4 months, he raised $70.

Encouraged by his attitude and actions, others began to join Ryan and during the next 12 months, he raised $2,000. Within two years Ryan had raised $61,000. Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Passage To Ponder

Tagged as

July 30, 2019 · 7:38 am

Is A Man More Valuable Than A Sheep?

A wife woke up one morning and said, “Honey, I just had a dream that you bought me a new gold necklace. What do you think it means?”

“I don’t know, but Valentine’s Day is coming soon. Tuesday, you’ll know,” He replied.

A few nights later, she again woke up after having a dream, “This time, I dreamed you gave me a pearl necklace. What do you think it means?”

“You’ll know Tuesday,” He replied. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Christian Living

July 29, 2019 · 7:53 am

Word of the Week: Improvement

Norma Jean and I have enjoyed a rich and wonderful weekend with the brethren in South River, Ontario, Canada, where I presented my series on Home Improvement.

The thesis of the series is that just like our physical houses need attention, repair, maintenance and even renovation from time to time so do the relationships in our homes.

Clarence W. Barron, considered the founder of modern financial journalism once succinctly observed: “Everything can be improved.” Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Word of the Week

Tagged as , , ,

July 27, 2019 · 9:12 am

A Celebration of Life: In Honor and Memory of Nancy Wyckoff

49 years ago in May 1970, Norma Jean and I moved to Hillsboro, Ohio, where I began preaching full time on a located basis. It was there we would meet and become life long friends with Dave and Nancy Wyckoff.

This past Wednesday we drove back to Hillsboro to be with Dave and share in his sorrow on Nancy’s passing, and join with him and the family to celebrate her life. On Thursday evening we gathered at the Northside Church of Christ where she has been a member almost all of her adult life for an incredible celebration. Continue reading →

5 Comments

Filed under Death, Eulogy

Tagged as , ,

July 25, 2019 · 4:25 am

Seeing What Jesus Saw


“Anybody can look at a pretty girl and see a pretty girl. An artist can look at a pretty girl and see the old woman she will become. A better artist can look at an old woman and see the pretty girl that she used to be” wrote American author Robert A. Heinlein. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under compassion, Vision

Tagged as , , , ,

July 24, 2019 · 4:24 am

A Passage To Ponder: Matthew 8:18-20

On our recent trip to the Bible lands, we visited the village of Capernaum, billed as “The Town of Jesus.” As we entered I snapped this picture of the statue of “Homeless Jesus” by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmaz.

The statue reminded me of this interaction Jesus had with a Scribe as he was about to leave this sea-coast town and go to the other side.

“Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go,” said the Scribe. Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Discipleship

Tagged as , , ,

July 23, 2019 · 7:29 am

The Modern Church Has Lost Its Purpose

“Many U.S. churches today have ‘forgotten’ their purpose, becoming entertainment-driven social organizations eager to blend in with secular culture instead of focusing on biblical discipleship” warns Dr. David Jeremiah in a recent interview with Christian Post reporter Leah MarieAnn Klett.

“We’re not an entertainment service; we’re not here to see how close we can get to what the world does,” said Jeremiah, the founder of Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries. “But there’s so much of the world in the Church and vice versa that we can’t tell a difference.” Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Church

Tagged as ,

July 22, 2019 · 7:52 am

Word of the Week: Courtesy

“Courtesy,” wrote Teddy Roosevelt,” is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage.”

That thought seems pretty much lost of many folks today. Apparently, everything has to be bluntly challenged. Every thought. Every opinion. Every personal view. Every political persuasion.

The other day I read a post on facebook by a brother in Christ with whom I didn’t 100% totally agree. It was his personal opinion. It had nothing to do with scripture. It spoke to the political climate today in America.  But I believe he had a valid point. And was sincere in his concerns. Continue reading →

4 Comments

Filed under Word of the Week

Tagged as ,

July 19, 2019 · 6:40 am

Faith: The Challenge To Believe

A “Doubting Thomas” is a skeptic. He’s someone who refuses to believe unless he can see it. Touch it. And experience it.

It is forever the nickname of the apostle, Thomas, who was not present when Jesus first appeared to the other disciples following His resurrection.

“We have seen the Lord,” they exclaimed to Thomas. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Faith

Tagged as

July 18, 2019 · 7:08 am

Faith: The Challenge To Obey

Today is the fourth day of our VBS at Wellandport. The week’s focus is on faith. And today’s lesson is about obedience. The character for our consideration is the prophet, Jonah.

Jonah is an unusual prophet. Like the other prophets, the book begins by saying, ”Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah…” However, he is not called to preach to Israel, but to go to the Assyrian city of Nineveh. While other prophets proclaimed judgments against foreign nations, only Jonah is called to preach directly to another nation. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Obedience

Tagged as