I grew up on a small farm in central Indiana just West of Indianapolis. In addition to a few cows and pigs and some field corn for the animals, we always had a garden. A large garden. At least an acre.
We grew green beans, sweet corn, tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, potatoes, peas, peppers, carrots, cucumbers, squash, radishes, turnips, beets, onions,
eggplant, watermelons, cantaloupes, and strawberries.
Can you guess why we planted such a big garden every year? Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Sowing Seeds for Spiritual Growth
Good Morning from Beverly Hills, FL
I hope 2023 is off to a good start for you. I like the feeling of a clean start and a new beginning. I came across this quote yesterday by an unknown author that should encourage us all. “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
In case you missed one of our posts this week, this post offers you an opportunity to catch up with its live links. Also at the end there is a bonus post that most of you probably haven’t seen. If you’re new to ThePreachersWord, and many of you are new followers, let me encourage to you browse through the category section for past posts you may find helpful. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
We hope you missed us yesterday.
The Devil sent us a “thorn in the flesh,” but by God’s grace and some medical intervention we’re better today.
Jim Rohn is an American author, motivator, speaker, and entrepreneur. Recently he posted on his facebook page “The 6 Essential Traits of Good Character.” Although he writes to an audience of business and professional leaders, his observations have a Biblical basis and find their application for preachers, pastors, and Christian business leaders. In fact, for all disciples of Christ.
Slightly adapted, here are the 6 traits we should all aspire to develop Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, facebook friday
A recent New York Times article revealed that New York Republican Representative-elect George Santos lied about several aspects of his résumé.
Among them, Santos stated that he graduated from Baruch College, although he never even attended Baruch. In fact, he holds no college degree. His work résumé listed Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, although he was never employed by either company.
Furthermore Santos lied about his Jewish heritage.. He claimed to be a “proud American Jew” which he now has clarified that he is “Jew-ish,” rather than Jewish. As a result The Republican Jewish Coalition has banned him from attending future RJC events. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Sin
Yesterday morning I was watching the Today Show when they interviewed, Adam Grant recognized as Wharton’s top-rated professor for seven straight years.
Grant, is an organizational psychologist and a “leading expert on how we can find meaning and motivation and live more generous and creative lives.”
The interviewer was asking Grant about his perspective on goal setting in the New year. His response that the new year is a ideal time to set new goals because it provides a natural window of opportunity. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Life, Success
In her book, Silver Boxes, the late Florence Littauer told the story of her father who always wanted to be a writer. He made some attempts, but gave up.
As she concluded the details of the story, Littauer made this sobering and profound observation about her father’s dreams by quoting Oliver Wendell Holmes who said, “Many of us die with the music still in us.”
Her observation speaks of unfilled potential. Missed opportunities. Wasted talent. And a failure to grow. Continue reading
Filed under Sowing Seeds for Spiritual Growth
For many years my friend and mentor the late Paul Andrews read this poem every first Sunday of the new year.
I adopted the practice. And for at least the last 20+ years have read it wherever I preached.
I don’t know the author. Variations of this poem have been attributed to different authors.
It’s a simple little piece. But it packs a powerful message. I hope you like it. Continue reading
Filed under New Year
“You’re not retired!” my wife, Norma Jean, exclaimed recently.
Her reaction was my response to her question, “What are you doing?”
“I’m working on a sermon series,” I replied.
I suppose in the traditional sense of retirement, I’m not. But if you define retirement as doing what you want to do, I am. I’m free from the typical demands of located church work. Free to schedule my Sunday’s and preach when and where I am able. Free to travel. And free, just to enjoy…well… some free time. Continue reading
Filed under Ministry
Today, we conclude our countdown of the top 10 posts of 2022 with this October post receiving the most reader views.
Candace Cameron Bure, the former Hallmark Movie Actress who is now with The Great American Family network, and known for her faith promoted a video to her Instagram followers on Sunday.
The video is a young girl, identified as Cherry Paul Ede, quoting a Fragile Dogubo poem. It has been shared on African social media with over a million views.
“I don’t know who needs to hear this, but Jesus was not crucified on a Gucci cross,” she said. “He didn’t have on a crown of Versace thorns or Nike shoes on his feet when the nails pierced through. There was nothing bougie about Calvary. That old raggedy wooden cross wasn’t even befitting to hold the carpenter’s son, but there our God hung, held on by His love for us, by His love for all.
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Filed under Discipleship
This May post received the 2nd most reader views of any 2022 post. If you missed it, check it out. It offers you and the congregation where you worship some serious food for thought.
Nancy Kennedy, religious writer for our local Citrus County Chronicle recently wrote a column entitled “Red Door Churches” that caught my eye.
Kennedy relates touring a new meeting house of a church that had red doors. She learned that traditionally and historically, dating back to the medieval day that churches had red doors.
While the red door was symbolic of Jesus’ blood shed on the cross, thus reminding us of salvation in Christ, it also had a cultural significance.
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Filed under 2022 Top Posts, Discipleship
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