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. Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living, Church, Discipleship, Relationships
“People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy,” once quipped the 18th-century Anglo-Irish essayist, playwright, and poet Oliver Goldsmith.
In an age of extreme individualism that sets oneself as the standard, that parrots such expressions as “I must live for myself,” or “I must be true to myself,” and “I can only know what is right and wrong for me,” Goldsmith’s observation finds modern-day application. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
As Christians meet for worship today around the world, local churches will meet at different times. Culture and customs may impact the order, style and length of worship.
Some churches will meet in modern facilities with large crowds attending. Others will assemble in simple, nondescript buildings. Some may meet in rented storefronts. And others may gather in a small group in a family home.
Furthermore, I wonder how many different languages and dialects will lift their voices in praise and prayer to God today? Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good morning from Beverly Hills,
What a night! Thunder. Lightning. And pouring rain. Based on this week, I think our summer rainy season in Florida has begun. At least I’m saving money on watering my lawn.
Hope all is well with our readers and that you’ve enjoyed this week’s posts. Our Saturday post offers an opportunity for you to catch up in case you missed one. Also, it’s a good way to share ThePreachersWord via email or social media. In addition, there’s a bonus post from 2012 that most of you have never seen. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
A good friend messaged me the other day to share some personal thoughts and mentioned he was rereading Dale Carnegie’s classic book “How To Win Friends and Influence People.”
I recalled it was one of the first books I read regarding relationships when I began preaching. Our exchange triggered the thought to share a few highlights from the book for today’s list. Published in 1936, “How To Win Friends and Influence People” has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling books of all time.
These simple, succinct suggestions, are still valid. And will make a difference in all of your interpersonal relationships. Continue reading
Filed under Friday's List to Life By
According to a recent poll by Lifeway Research of 1,000 Protestant Pastors, 44% said their “people’s political views” were difficult to deal with.
Additionally, 48% of the respondents expressed concern regarding, “people’s strong opinions about nonessentials.”
“Congregations are filled with many opinions,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. Continue reading
Filed under Relationships
Josh McDowell, the author of several books on Christian evidences, once remarked that even if he could answer every question a skeptic could throw at him, he still may not believe.
Why? Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Actually, evil strikes every day. But some days evil is so horrific that it’s headlined on the evening news.
This past weekend five shootings across the US made the news.
Three separate shootings occurred outside the Milwaukee Bucks arena following their loss to the Boston Celtics in game 6. Fortunately, no one died. But 29 were injured.
On Sunday afternoon a shooter killed one person and wounded five others at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, California. Continue reading
Filed under Evil
In one of his devotional books, LeRoy Brownlow told a story about a man explaining ethics to his son.
“Ethic is vital to a workable and confident society,” he said. “For instance, a friend paid me back today a loan with a new hundred-dollar bill. Later I discovered there were two hundred-dollar bills stuck together. This immediately presented a question of ethics.” Pausing he said… Continue reading
Filed under Renew in '22, Word of the Week
Today we gather in our churches around the US and all over the world for one central reason and for one special focus. To remember Jesus.
On the eve of the His crucifixion, during the Passover feast, Jesus instituted a memorial, later called by Paul, “The Lord’s Supper.” When partaking of it, Jesus instructed, “This do in remembrance of Me.”
Today we assemble because of who Jesus is. Because of what He did. And because of our relationship to Him.
For today’s seed thought, consider these great quotes about Jesus. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
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