There’s an old saying in the news world, “If it bleeds, it leads.”
In other words, if there’s death, destruction, violence, murder, or war it receives top billing. And this is especially true in TV news broadcasts. And lately, we’ve seen plenty. Especially in Ukraine.
However, in the midst of a wicked world filled with evil people bent on killing and carnage, there’s some good news.
How about these headlines. Continue reading
Filed under Gospel
I grew up on a small farm in central Indiana. My Dad worked in the factory and we farmed as a sideline means to feed a few pigs and cows. And sometimes for a cash crop.
Farming sure has changed since the 1950s and ’60s. We used a 2-row corn planter. Today corn planters can range in size from 6 rows to 48 rows. But imagine how farming has changed since Bible times?
In our passage today is another one of Jesus’ agricultural parables. It is often called ”The Parable of the Sower.” But it could be also be called “The Parable of the Soils.” Some commentators have called it “the parable of parables.” In one sense, it’s like four parables. in one. It is one of the few parables that Jesus explains the meaning. Continue reading
Filed under Parables of Jesus, Passage To Ponder
“You can be Christian without the Church.”
“I don’t need the Church.”
“The Church is full of hypocrites.”
“The Church is old-fashioned and outdated.”
“The Church doesn’t care about me.”
“The Church only wants my money.” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
March Madness is here with its passion, enthusiasm, borderline crazy fans, and its exuberant color commentators.
If you watch any of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament over the past few days, you know what I’m talking about.
We had to listen to a few games on the radio while driving home, and those announcers know how to colorfully describe the game to make it come alive.
If you’ve ever attended a tournament game the atmosphere is electric. The fans, coaches, cheerleaders, bands, and players are excited about the game of basketball. Continue reading
Filed under Renew in '22, Word of the Week
“What is at the center of your life?” asked author, minister, and therapist Wayne Muller.
“Carefully examine where you spend your attention, your time,” Muller advised. “Look at your appointment book, your daily schedule. This is what receives your care and attention–an by definition, your love.”
On this Lord’s Day, it’s a good time to ask and reflect on what really is the center of my life? Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good Morning from the Peachtree State
We’re on the way home after a 2 week trip to Denton, TX, and then to Branson, MO. Somehow in between preaching in a meeting, spending time with friends, traveling, and seeing shows, we’ve been able to post every day.
Herre’s a recap on this past week’s post with the quick links so you can catch up in case you’ve missed one.
Tomorrow I’ll be preaching at the West Citrus Church in Crystal River. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
Our word of the week, “holiness,” challenges all of us in an unholy world to be set apart from our culture. Different from the world. Morally clean in an immoral mess.
Let’s be honest, holiness is hard. It demands diligence. Requires self-discipline. And calls for daily self-examination.
Today’s list offers 13 simple, yet practical and workable steps for maintaining holiness in our Christian walk. Continue reading
Filed under Friday's List to Life By
“Ask Amy” is a syndicated advice column by Amy Dickinson that is published in major newspapers across the country, including the Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune
Recently Amy expressed her approval of a polyamorous relationship in response to parents whose son and daughter-in-law informed them that each has a “lover” with whom they spend time outside of their marriage.
In response to the signed “Bewildered Parents,” Amy offered this advice. Continue reading
Filed under Marriage
Last night Norma Jean and I ate at the College of the Ozarks at the Keeter Center, the Dobyns Dining Room. If you ever come to Branson, MO, I highly recommend it.
The restaurant is staffed by all college students who are working their way through school. College of the Ozarks is known as Hard Work U, where their 1500 students work at more than 120 campus workstations to pay for their tuition.
We were served by a delightful young man, with a slight accent, who was polite, prompt, and very professional in serving us. At the end of the meal, I asked,” Where are you from?” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
There is a great story that comes out of Greece in the 5th century B.C. During the war between two city-states, a spy was captured and sentenced to death. Before the execution, he demanded an audience with the Ruler of that city. When the interview was granted, he stood before the Ruler and pled “O great king, if you do not execute me, but instead allow me to live a mere two years longer, I will teach your favorite horse to sing.”
The king thought about it, and finally decided, “What’s two years? I can always kill him at the end of it.” So he agreed, and the spy was led away. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Worry
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