“Faith is to believe what you do not yet see; the reward for this faith is to see what you believe,” once wrote the 4th-century theologian Augustine.
This reminds me of an unknown author who expressed it this way: “Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible.”
In our cynical, secular, irreligious, and immoral culture, we need a renewal of faith.
But what kind of faith? Continue reading
Filed under Renew in '22, Word of the Week
When I was a kid in the late ’50s and early ’60s, we watched a TV show called, “Father Knows Best.” The lead role was played by Robert Young who spoke with authority, wisdom, and also compassion. He had the solution to every problem. He was the ideal father.
Imagine such a show being on TV today. The image of fathers has fallen into disrepute. With so many absentee, delinquent, and abusive men, our respect for fatherhood has diminished. Also, the media and silly sitcoms often tend to portray dad as a bumbling idiot. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good morning from Beverly Hills, FL
I hope you all are doing well. We are very blessed. When asked, “How are you?” I’m reminded of Dave Ramsey’s usual rejoiner, “Better than I deserve.” So very true of most of us. Even with soaring inflation, high gas prices, and social upheaval, we enjoy so many blessings–both material and physical. But most of all spiritual. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
“Knowledge is power,” a quote often attributed to Francis Bacon, and used by Thomas Jefferson,” is an axiom evident in every area of life. It is no less true regarding spiritual matters.
Other than increasing in knowledge for the sake of knowledge, have you ever thought about how knowing God’s Word empowers you?
Today’s list offers 12 benefits and blessings of gaining Bible knowledge Continue reading
Filed under Friday's List to Life By
“What would you do differently, if you had your life to live over again?” a young lady supposedly asked the Duke of Wellington in his old age.
The Duke, who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815 and later served as Prime Minister of the UK, was known as a brilliant man, yet very demanding. He was not known to “shower his subordinates with compliments.” Continue reading
Filed under Encouragement
Something happened last week in the White House press room that doesn’t happen very often. Maybe never. A bible verse was read.
Actor Matthew McConaughey spoke passionately from the podium urging Congress to address the issue of gun violence in our country. In doing so, he cited a story of one of the young victims from his hometown, Uvalde, Texas.
McConaughey told about 10-year-old Ellie Garcia, who had been preparing to read a Bible verse to her Wednesday night Bible class. Tragically, Ellie never got to read it. Take a moment to read and think about it. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
There’s an old story about a little girl who proudly wore a shiny cross on a chain around her neck. One day she was approached by a man who said to her,
“Little girl, don’t you know that the cross Jesus died on wasn’t beautiful like the one you’re wearing? It was an ugly, wooden thing.”
She was surprised by the stranger’s affront. But then quickly replied: Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
“I hated shining shoes in Basic Training,” recalls Nebraska preacher John Telgren.
“There were other things I would rather be doing.” John said “instead of sitting on the floor with a brush and mounds of cotton balls stained with black Kiwi shoe polish. If our boots and dress shoes were not perfect we paid for it dearly.”
He relates a story where one of the guys in his unit discovered a product called “Shine Sponge” that was supposed to produce an effortless shine just by applying the product with a sponge. Almost everyone tried it and it produced “almost an unearthly shine” on their footwear. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Last Saturday, for only the second time in my life I missed a preaching appointment during a meeting due to sickness. I don’t know if was something I ate, or just a “24 bug,” but I hadn’t been that sick in a long time.
As a result, I not only missed preaching Saturday night, but a Cracker Barrel breakfast with the elders and several brethren, and a steak dinner with two other couples. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good morning from Beverly Hills, FL
June is a busy month for us. Just returned from an 8-day trip with a weekend meeting in Parkersburg, WVA, and speaking on the Cornerstone summer series in Centerville, Ohio. We’ll be back at Cornerstone on June 14, 21, and 28 addressing “Tough Questions on the Existence of God.” Here’s a link to our lesson on “Does God Exist?”
Plus we will be preaching at the West Citrus church on Sundays, June 12, 19, and 26. If you’re in the area of Crystal River or Inverness, come and visit us. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
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