Tuesday’s post, Troublesome Times Are Here, resonated with our readers as it dealt with the current conflict in Ukraine.
Last night I came across a very succinct synopsis with seven points that perfectly complements that post written by my friend and preaching colleague, Doy Moyer, and posted on his facebook page. It speaks to the issue of trusting God during such difficulties.
I share it with our readers without any editing. Continue reading
Filed under Friday's List to Life By
Today is “National I Want You To Be Happy Day.” At least the calendar of weird and obscure holidays says so.
I chuckled a bit when I read it. (Hmm, I guess it’s working). But I thought of Abraham Lincoln’s thought-provoking insight, “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
We live in a world obsessed with happiness. There are thousands of books on Amazon advertising how to be happy. Among them are “The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People.” “The 18 Rules of Happiness.” “9 Habits of Maximum Happiness.” “How to be Happy, or at least less Sad,” Continue reading
Andy Stanley says guardrails are, “a system designed to keep us from straying into dangerous or off-limit areas.”
Stanley reminds us that guardrails are beneficial when driving across a bridge, or on a curvy mountain road. The guardrails are constructed to keep us from getting too close to the edge. They both warn and protect.
My wife always feels a little safer when we’re driving up a mountain road and there are guardrails. If there aren’t any guardrails she gets a bit nervous. And suggests maybe we ought to take a different route. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
This morning I awoke to these news stories.
A headline from FoxNews.com
Putin’s 40 miles of killing machines taunt Ukraine’s capital
A Tweet from The Kyiv Independent
State Emergency Service: 6 people injured in central Kharkiv rocket strike, including one child.
The missile strike hit Kharkiv’s Freedom Square the morning of March 1, damaging the Kharkiv Oblast administration building.
I’m reminded of an old hymn published in 1942 by R.E. Winsett that begins with these words: Continue reading
Filed under Adversity
“I would like for you to meet our minister.”
Have any of you preachers ever been introduced by one of your church members to their friends with those or similar words?
Have any of your ever introduced your preacher, as “my minister”? Or “the minister”?
Such a notion may imply that the preacher is entirely responsible for the ministry of the church. This, however, is not a Biblical idea. Continue reading
Filed under Renew in '22, Word of the Week
“The church has the opportunity to reach and assimilate vast numbers of hurting and lonely people if we truly become the family we are called to be,” wrote Ken Hemphill in The Antioch Effect.
Hemphill went on to warn, “But the world is not going to be impressed by our rhetoric on family; they must see the love of God modeled in an authentic, deeply loving, committed community of Believers.” Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good Morning from Beverly Hills,
Yesterday Norma Jean and I drove our own car to a Doctor’s appointment, then went to the Y to work out. After that, we went to Winn Dixie to buy groceries. The shelves were filled with many choices and we bought what we wanted. After enjoying a BLT for lunch and watching Outnumbered, I did some work that required the use of the internet. Relaxed a bit in the afternoon. Cleaned off our pool deck. Then showered, and went out to eat at one of our favorite area restaurants for a fish dinner. All of this was done with relative ease and no concern for our safety. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
We see the news clips of Russian tanks going into Ukraine, the traffic jam of people fleeing Kiev, and the map where Russian missiles have hit military bases, and it’s easy to forget about the actual people who live there.
We need to pray for the people of Ukraine.
Reporters asked President Biden how the Russian insurgency will affect our gas prices. TV talking heads opine about the economic consequences on the US. Financial experts discuss the impact of this attack on our stock market. We see people a long way from where we live and it’s easy to forget Christians live in Ukraine. Continue reading
Filed under Prayer
The wise man wrote, “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity (Prov. 17:17).
In his neat book, How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free, Ernie J. Zelinski, has an entire chapter aptly titled, “Your Wealth is Where Your Friends Are.”
Zelinski says that having close relationships with others is important as we grow older. In it, he offers some qualities people cherish in a close friend. Continue reading
Filed under Friday's List to Life By
Conflict.
It seems to have escalated in recent years.
Conflict between “Trumpers” and “Never Trumpers.”
Conflict in Congress.
Conflict between Republicans and Democrats.
Conflict between liberals and conservatives.
Conflict between mask wearers and non-mask wearers. Continue reading
Filed under Relationships
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