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
Filed under Word of the Week
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
“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
Filed under compassion, Vision
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
Filed under Discipleship
“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
Filed under Church
“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
Filed under Word of the Week
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
Filed under Faith
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
“Let your life reflect the faith you have in God,” wrote American journalist Germany Kent. “Fear nothing and pray about everything. Be strong, trust God’s word, and trust the process.”
Faith and trust go together. Both by definition and application. You can’t have one without the other. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Today in our VBS at Wellandport as we pursue the theme “Facing Life With Faith,” we are discussing how knowledge and faith are connected.
The Bible says, “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17). As we read and study God’s Word, we increase in knowledge, but that knowledge grows our faith. Of course, our knowledge of God and His revealed will is more than just an accumulation of facts. It is faith-driven. Heart-felt. And relationally focused. Thus, Paul was able to affirm, “I know in whom I have believed.” Continue reading
Filed under Faith
ThePreachersWord 