For the past two weeks, Norma Jean and I have enjoyed seeing the beautiful Fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains. During our time here, the landscape has changed right before our eyes. It’s an incredible sight.
Can you imagine being born blind, unable to see the mountains and valleys ablaze with color? Or never seeing the hues of orange, red, purple and pink of a gorgeous sunset? Never seeing the town you live in? Never seeing the face of your mother, brother, or sister? Continue reading
A preacher was standing at the church house door shaking hands as the congregation departed and saw a man who rarely attended.
He grabbed him by the arm and said, “You need to join the Army of the Lord!”
“I’m already in the Army of the Lord,” the man replied.
“How come I don’t see you except for Christmas and Easter?” the preacher questioned. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Do you ever miss being a Christian?”
“No,” replied Anthony B. Pinn comfortably.
In an online story by The ChristianPost, Leonardo Blair relates the deconversion of a professor of humanities and religion at Rice University in Houston, Texas.
Deconversion is a strange-sounding new word to Christians. We’re familiar with conversion. But deconversion? It’s defined as a loss of faith or leaving one’s religion for another religion, or no religion at all. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
You may remember David Bloom, the Today show co-host on weekends, who died in 2003 while covering Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Bloom, however, did not die from injuries sustained in conflict, but rather of a pulmonary embolism. This condition occurs among those who sit for long periods of time, and Bloom spent most of his time in a cramped Army vehicle. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Norma Jean and I are currently enjoying some post-meeting R & R in the Smoky Mountains. Yesterday was a gorgeous crisp fall day. Sunny. Clear. And perfect for a drive to higher elevations and some walking.
Clingman’s Dome was our destination. At 6643 feet, it’s the highest mountain in the Smokies. From the observation tower, you get an amazing 360-degree panoramic view of the mountains. And on a clear day, like yesterday, you can see 7 states and over 100 miles. Continue reading
Filed under Encouragement
On this day in history, October 24, 1901, Annie Edson Taylor, was the first person to take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
The 63-year-old schoolteacher was hurting financially and seeking fame, so she came up with this stunt she thought would grab the public’s attention. Continue reading
Filed under Sin, Temptation
Dennis Davidson tells a story about Samuel Bradburn, an associate of John Wesley, who was a highly respected minister of his day.
On one occasion Davidson was in desperate financial need. When Wesley learned of his circumstances, he sent him the following letter: “Dear Sammy: ‘trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.’ Yours affectionately, John Wesley.” Attached to the letter was a 5-pound note (then worth about $10). Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Democratic presidential candidate, Beto O’Rourke, stated that churches, charities, and other organizations that oppose same-sex marriage should lose their tax-exempt status.
“There can be no reward, no benefit, no tax break for anyone … that denies the full human rights and the full civil rights of every single one of us.” O’Rourke told a cheering audience. “And so as president, we are going to make that a priority, and we are going to stop those who are infringing upon the human rights of our fellow Americans.” Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
Robert Schuller tells a story about a banker who always tossed a coin in the cup of a legless beggar who sat on the street outside the bank. But, unlike most people, the banker would always insist on getting one of the pencils the man had beside him.
“You are a merchant,” the banker would say, “and I always expect to receive good value from merchants I do business with.” Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Oliver Wendell Holmes (1841-1935) is regarded as one of the greatest Supreme Court Justices of all time. However, the highly respected Judge was said to be a bit absent-minded.
Once Justice Holmes was riding a train when the Conductor began walking down the car, checking tickets. As he approached Holmes he saw him searching his wallet, unable to find his ticket. Frustrated, Holmes then checked each of his pockets. Still no ticket. Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
ThePreachersWord 