“If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking,” opined General George S. Patton.
Disagreements in life are inevitable. My Florida College Bible teacher, the late Edgar Srygley once quipped, “Where two or three are gathered together….you’re going to have a problem.”
Today’s list offers 7 tips on how to disagree without being disagreeable. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Several years ago Christianity Today featured a story about Rob and Kristen Bell, who founded a church in Grand Rapids, identified with a movement known as the “Emerging Church.”
The article relates the Bells increasing discomfort with their faith and the church. “Life in the church had become so small,” Kristen says. “It had worked for me for a long time. Then it stopped working.”
Furthermore, they questioned their assumptions about the Bible itself– “discovering the Bible as a human product,” as Rob puts it, rather than the “product of divine fiat.” Continue reading
Filed under Faith
“Big things come in small packages” is an American idiom that implies that the value of something is not always determined by its size. Such is true of books in the Bible.
For a book to be noteworthy it doesn’t need to be large like Psalms with its 150 divisions. Or filled with intriguing prophecies like Isaiah. It doesn’t demand apocalyptic images jumping off the page like Revelation. Nor does it require riveting historical narratives like Genesis. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Several years Sports Illustrated reported that approximately 60% of NBA players go broke within 5 years of retirement. A more recent survey shows that figure hasn’t changed much in the past decade.
How do you blow tens and even hundreds of millions of dollars so quickly?
Why haven’t current players learned from past players’ mistakes?
What causes these gifted athletes to be so reckless, irresponsible, and foolhardy? Continue reading
Filed under Grace
What do we have in common with a lobster?
Nothing, you may think, except that the tasty crustacean provides for us a delicious and expensive dinner.
Eda LeShan, the late author, counselor, educator, and one-time host of the PBS show “How Do Your Children Grow,” would disagree. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Steve Shepherd tells about a fellow who was answering questions for a national poll. When asked for his church preference, he responded, “Redbrick.”
Some time ago in a door-to-door survey, a suburban Chicago church asked people in their community, “If you don’t go to church, why? Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good morning from Beverly Hills, Florida
Well, the impact of Hurricane Elsa, which was downgraded to a tropical storm, was very minimal where we live. We got lots of rain, but not as much wind as I expected. It was a good day to relax inside. And by evening, the sun came out and we went to Bible Study.
We’re looking forward to about a 6 week stay at home before beginning Fall meetings and various other travels. While at home, I’m preaching most Sundays at the West Citrus Church in Crystal River and teaching a Bible class. If you’re coming through central Florida, stop by and visit. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
“13 Things Children Need More Of” was posted on the facebook page of Charlotte Mason Mama, a lifestyle blog that promotes the philosophies taught by the British educator Charlotte Mason.
The author is a lady named Jenny who home schools all 6 of her children. Her blog and web page focus on raising children, the environments of the home, and home education.
Jenny writes in her bio, “Things I love: God, natural wellness, Charlotte Mason home school, home decorating, quiet times, deep relationships, and serving others.”
Which of these 13 do your children need more of? Continue reading
Filed under Friday's List to Life By
While the Declaration of Independence was adopted by delegates to the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, it was four days later, on July 8, before it was read in public.
On that occasion, what is now known as the “Liberty Bell, rang out from the tower of the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, summoning citizens to the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Continue reading
Filed under Freedom
“Preaching must be marked by three elements, advised Warren Wiersbe. “Conviction. Warning. And appeal.”
In other words, “Reprove, rebuke and exhort.
To quote an old rule of preachers, “He should afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted.” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
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