Monthly Archives: August 2022

August 31, 2022 · 6:08 am

James 1:13-16

In Discipleship Journal, Don McCullough tells a story from John Killinger about the manager of a minor league baseball team who was so disgusted with his center fielder’s performance that he ordered him to the dugout and assumed the position himself.

The first ball that came into center field took a bad hop and hit the manager in the mouth. The next one was a high fly ball, which he lost in the glare of the sun–until it bounced off his forehead. The third was a hard line drive that he charged with outstretched arms; unfortunately, it flew between his hands and smacked his eye. Continue reading →

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August 30, 2022 · 7:13 am

What’s On Your Mind?

“What’s on your mind,” is the first question you see when you log onto your facebook page?

You are provided with a convenient box to post what you want to share. However, there are some options. You can post something public for everyone to see. Or you can post a thought that only those on your friends’ list will see. Or you can exclude certain friends from seeing what you post. Continue reading →

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August 29, 2022 · 5:32 am

Word of the Week: Persevere

While on our annual anniversary blogging break last week, I enjoyed reading two books. Both about running.

The first, “Lessons Learned on the Run,” by David Kempston, a trial lawyer who is a self-described “middle of the pack runner.” Kempston’s book was a joy to read as he related how the “sport embodies life.”

Kempston observed that running “requires effort and endurance.” It teaches one to push on through adversity and trials, through both victory and defeat Continue reading →

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August 20, 2022 · 4:02 am

Weekly Recap: August 15-19

Good morning from Aruba

Lord willing, Norma Jean and I are beginning the celebration of our 54th anniversary in the Caribbean on what is billed as ‘the  happy island.”

As we have done for the past 10 years, we’re taking our annual anniversary blogging beak.  It’s a good time for us to refresh, recharge and remember our many blessings.

Hopefully, the WordPress advanced scheduling has worked and you’re receiving this recap of the past week’s posts.  If you’re on facebook, look for some pictures from “The Happy Island.” Continue reading →

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August 19, 2022 · 4:01 am

Friday’s List To Live By #97

It’s been almost one year since our friend and preaching colleague, Dee Bowman passed from this life into eternity. His influence, however, lives on and continues to speak to us through his wonderful writings.

Today’s list is taken from his book, That’s Life, in a section, “Life By the Numbers,” on page 110.

In it, he offers 10 tips on the proper use of the tongue–5 negative and 5 positive. Continue reading →

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August 18, 2022 · 7:22 am

Serendipity Day

According to the calendar of weird, wacky, and unusual holidays, today is Serendipity Day.

I like the word “serendipity.” By definition, serendipity is “the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.”

According to multiple sources, the word was first coined by English author Horace Walpole in 1754. After reading a Persian fairy tale, The Three Princes of Serendip, aka Sri Lanka, Walpole mentioned this in a letter to a friend explaining the journey of the princes and how they made unexpected and unplanned discoveries, which he called serendipitous moments. Continue reading →

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August 17, 2022 · 6:43 am

Matthew 22:34-40

I haven’t counted them, but Bible commentator Warren Wiersbe claims the Jews documented 613 commandments in the Old Law, 248 positive and 365 negative.

Supposedly they had divided the commandments into two basic categories, “heavy” or “important commandments” and “light” or “unimportant commandments.” Thus, one could focus on the “heavy commandments” and not worry about the “unimportant commandments.”

So, the issue among the religious leaders was an ongoing debate. “What is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Continue reading →

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August 16, 2022 · 6:24 am

Life. Death. And the Afterlife.

“Have you contemplated your death?” Olivia Newton-John was once asked by an interviewer due to her long illness and reoccurring battle with cancer.

In the wake of the Grammy award winner’s passing, her perspective on death promoted by that question has resurfaced from a 2021 podcast interview, “A Life of Greatness.”

“We all know we are going to die . . . I think we spend our lives denying it,” Newton-John responded. “It’s extremely personal. I find it hard to put into words,” she added. “I feel we are all part of one thing. I have had experiences with spirits or spirit life and felt the spirit world and have heard things, that I believe there is something that happens.” Continue reading →

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August 15, 2022 · 5:21 am

Word of the Week: Self-Control

Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb to the peak and conquer Mount Everest was once asked by an interviewer about his passion for mountain climbing. To which he offered this insightful reply. “It’s not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves.”

Hillary’s response is reminiscent of a quote by the 17th-century Russian monarch Peter the Great who once lamented, “I have been able to conquer an empire, but I have not been able to conquer myself.” Continue reading →

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August 13, 2022 · 4:13 am

Weekly Recap: August 8-12

Good Morning from Temple Terrace, Florida

We’re enjoying an overnight visit with our daughter Rachél and our grandkids, Roy and Fern.  They live about 80 minutes South of us.  So, it’s close.  But it’s the first opportunity we’ve had to see them since we returned from Canada.  So, they are going to enjoy our goodie bags filled with Maple Syrup, Grape Juice, Dare Maple Cookies, Coffee Crisp candy bars, and more.   Our Canadian friends will understand the value of these gifts.

Today’s post is a recap from the past week, giving you an opportunity to catch up in case you missed one.  I would especially point out two posts that have received a good deal of positive feedback. Tuesday’s, “In Times Like These,“ and Thursday’s post, “Winning Even When You Lose.”  If you missed those, take time to read and think about the application to your life. Continue reading →

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