Author Archives: ThePreachersWord

The Danger of a Bible App on Your iPhone

Many Christians have Bible Apps on their iPhones. I bet you never thought once about it posing any danger, did you?

It doesn’t. Unless you live in Afghanistan.

I’ve received two emails this week, one from my Rotary friend, John Grant, another from a preaching colleague, Max Dawson, reporting that the Taliban are going door to door demanding people’s cell phones. Continue reading

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Celebrating 53 Years of Marriage

Our annual anniversary blogging break ends today It’s also the actual day of our 53rd wedding anniversary.

Once you’ve been married for 50+ years, strangers you meet express both surprise coupled with admiration that anyone could be married that long.  Especially to one person. Friends, family, and brethren who know your values, understand and share their appreciation and congratulations.

However, when seriously discussing a 50-year marriage, there’s one frequently asked question:  “What’s your secret?”

Three years ago, while celebrating our 50th, Norma Jean and I came up with some answers that continue to work for us.  We hope you find them helpful.

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SUNDAY SEED THOUGHTS: Three Elements of a Great Life

Today’s reblog asks 3 important questions that potentially could change your life forever. It’s a 2-minute read. But it could make a big difference

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Seed Thoughts

“No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined.” penned Henry Emerson Fosdick, a preacher of the early 20th century.

Think about that a minute

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Spiritual Kinship

While on our annual anniversary blogging break, we’re reblogging past posts. This one is from 9 years ago on this date. Its message is an excellent reminder about our relationship in Christ and how we’re supposed to treat one another.

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Kinship.  I just got to thinking about it. I’m not sure why.  It’s not a word you hear used a lot anymore.  You used to.  Someone would say, “I know your kin folks!”  Or “Are you all kin?”  

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IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! How Sorrow Turned To Joy

For 2 1/2 years, we published 175 posts with this column heading, “It’s Friday. But Sunday’s Coming!” Here’s one of those posts from 6 years ago. For newer readers who’ve never read this column, you might enjoy exploring some other posts from this category.

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Jesus.Cross.Ressurection

We’ve all experienced it. The roller coaster of emotions. The highs and lows of life. Exhilaration to exhaustion. Excitement to Discouragement. Hope to despair.

Life is a mixture of good and bad. Sunshine and rain. Pay raises. But unexpected bills. The birth of baby. The death of a grandmother. A joyful wedding. A bitter divorce. Health and sickness.

But think of the incredible range of emotions the disciples of Christ experienced in just three days?

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Refreshing Christians

Today’s reblog is an 8-year-old post that has universal application. The idea for this post came from a sermon I heard by Robert Jackson during my college years. Its message really resonated with me. I hope it will with you too.

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Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus.

Do you know who they are? In what book of the Bible are they mentioned?  Old or New Testament?  You won’t find them in Hebrews 11–The Spiritual “Hall of Fame.”

More than likely they are reserved for the answer to a Bible Trivia game.  They are filed under Miscellaneous.  Unidentified. Or unknown.

Give up?  

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Great Verses of the Bible: Proverbs 17:22

With all the negativity, anger, and fear that’s filling the airwaves, social media, and the minds of many people today, this past post and this verse might prove to be “just what the doctor ordered” to help you feel better. Try it.

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Laughter

Norman Cousins, who was the editor-in chief of the Saturday Review  for over 35 years, was told in 1964 that he only had a few months to live. He had a rare disease of the connective tissues called Ankylosing Spondylitis. He was told to “get his affairs in order” since he had only 1 chance in 500 to live.

However, Cousins would not accept the diagnosis. He then did something unheard of and unprecedented. He fired his doctor. Left the hospital. Checked into a hotel. And began to research a solution to his problem.

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How Obstacles Help Us Grow

I’m on my annual anniversary blogging break. So, I’m not writing any new posts, but reblogging some past posts. Here’s one from 5 years ago, that has universal application. For all times. And for all people.

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      Obstacles are a part of life everyone encounters them.  They may come in the form of financial reverses, family problems, spiritual challenges, or physical ailments.  But one thing is certain, obstacles will come into our lives.

But why?  Why do we have to endure obstacles?  How do they add  value to our lives?  And why does God allow Christians to endure obstacles? As an answer consider the following story.

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WORD OF THE WEEK: PURPOSE

Today, I’m beginning my annual anniversary blogging break. So, for next week we’ll not be publishing any new posts, but if possible reblog some past posts.

This post is from 9 years ago, so most of our regular readers today probably haven’t seen it. It raises several thought-provoking questions regarding purpose that are worthy of your serious reflection.

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TajMahal

The Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the “Seven Wonders of the World.”   It is called  “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.”

The Temple’s inspiration was supposedly based on the great love the Moguel emperor Shah Jahn had for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.  When she died he was devastated.  Grief stricken, he ordered this edifice erected as her final resting place.  No expense would be spared in honoring his beloved. 

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Sunday Seed Thoughts: Spiritual Nourishment

There’s an old story that made the rounds several years ago in church bulletins. It may be apocryphal but it makes a good point.

A church member once wrote a letter to the editor of a local newspaper complaining that it made no sense to attend church every Sunday. “I’ve gone for 30 years,” he wrote, “and in that time I’ve heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me. I can’t remember a single one of them.”

He then concluded, “So, I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.” Continue reading

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