Last Wednesday we watched in shock and horror as our nation’s Capitol, the symbol of democracy, was attacked and trashed by a riotous mob. It seemed so surreal. As several pundits observed it was like a scene you would expect from a Banana Republic, not the United States of America.
Religious leaders from every denomination have condemned the attack. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
From my earliest childhood memories of attending worship services until this very day, I have seen tables like the one above with the same words chiseled on the front.
This Do In Remembrance Of Me
They are the words Jesus uttered when he instituted the Supper. Luke records it this way. “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’” Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good morning from Temple Terrace, Florida,
It’s a bit cool here in the pre-dawn hours at 54 degrees, with a predicted drop to 48 and highs today only in the ’50s. So, winter can be a bit tough here in Florida sometimes!
We’re enjoying time with our grandchildren, working on finding a house we can call home, and counting our many blessings. In addition, we have an opportunity to see many of our friends from bygone days. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
“The most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not,” wrote Thomas L. Huxley.
“It is the first lesson, “Huxley opined, “that ought to be learned and however early a person’s training begins, it is probably the last lesson a person learns thoroughly.”
This week we’re writing about our 2021 theme: “Reaching Forward.” It’s based on this text, written from a Roman prison toward the end of Paul’s life. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Reaching Forward Series
“Some of the world’s greatest men and women have been saddled with disabilities and adversities but have managed to overcome them,” observed author and evangelical leader Ted W. Engstrom
Engstrom offered these illustrations to prove his point.
“Cripple him, and you have a Sir Walter Scott.”
“Lock him in a prison cell, and you have a John Bunyan.”
“Bury him in the snows of Valley Forge, and you have a George Washington.” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Reaching Forward Series
The late, great Hall of Fame New York Yankee catcher, Yogi Berra, was famous not only for his on the field heroics, but his funny off the field quips, which came to be known as Yogi-isms.
He once responded about his witticisms, “I never said most of the things I said.”
After a game, when he was asked about going to a certain restaurant, Yogi responded, “Nobody goes to that restaurant anymore — it’s too crowded.”
Here are a few more. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Reaching Forward Series
Author and minister, Bill Hybels, was once talking with one of his members about some of the “tough topics” he had taught through the years.
Among the difficult lessons he mentioned were hell, money, sex, relational confrontation, and self-discipline.
The member then asked, “Of all the topics you’ve preached on, which has been the hardest to get across?” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Reaching Forward Series
This year one of my Christmas presents was a book written by Dr. David Jeremiah entitled “Forward” with the subtitle “Discovering God’s Presence and Purpose in Your Tomorrow.”
The first thing I do when I receive a new book is look at the table of contents. Then I read the author’s introduction. When I did that, I thought of two things: Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Most folks like something new. A new car. A new home. A new job. A new iPhone. Or new clothes. The holiday season brings some new things into our lives that we enjoy. At least for a little while.
The word “new” conjures up an image of something fresh. Pure. Clean. Novel. Advanced. Or different.
Although it’s actually just turning the page on the calendar to another day, we love the thought of a new year. It offers the prospects of something better. Of change. And an improvement over the past. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good morning from sunny Florida
We begin 2021 in a very familiar place to us–Temple Terrace. It’s where Norma Jean and I met in 1967 when I was a student at Florida College. We are spending the month of January here as we finalize plans to secure a home for a permanent resident, which we will be announcing later.
We will be returning to Citrus county tomorrow where I’m preaching for the West Citrus church as well as on January 24th and 31st. So, I have two openings this month, if any church in the area needs a guest speaker. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
ThePreachersWord 