“What you do speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you’re saying” was once noted by American author, Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Emerson’s observation speaks to the importance and impact of our influence.
The dictionary defines influences as “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.” Simply defined influence is the sway one has over others. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
In his book, His Needs Her Needs, Dr.Willard Harley tells about a woman, Jane, who found her prince charming, Richard.
At 6’3″ and 195 pounds, Jane described Richard as “ruggedly handsome.” She was intrigued by his “strong, silent-type” demeanor. While dating, Jane’s “passion level went right off the scale.”
However, a few months into their marriage the passion began to wane. Richard didn’t know how to express affection outside the bedroom. His mother died when he was 10 and was raised by his father and two older brothers. Continue reading
Filed under Marriage
Seneca The Younger is credited with saying, “There is no power greater than true affection.”
If this is true, maybe that’s why C. S. Lewis opined, “Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our natural lives.
Affection is defined as a “feeling of liking and caring for someone or something. Tender attachment. Fondness.” Affection is an emotion that combines friendship. Goodwill. Kindness. Closeness. Concern. Passion. And devotion. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Author, educator and theologian, Howard Thurman, once told a story about one of his university students, a deep-sea diver, who wrote about his experience on the ocean floor.
Discovering a coral rock garden, he sat down to look around. First, a single fish swam up to look at him. Then more and more fish were swimming around him. Soon, the garden became more intense. More vivid. More colorful. Plants opened revealing their blossoms. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good morning from Beverly Hills, Florida
Today is a milestone for ThePreachersWord. WordPress tells me this post is #2700. When we began in 2012, there was no thought of this kind of longevity or goal. So, how do you write 2700 posts? One day at a time. Sorta like life, eh? Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
In his book, God’s Way To The Top, J. J. Turner shares Biblical principles of success that surpass monetary and material definitions as viewed by the world.
In the first of 30 short chapters, he lists 30 principles of success. Here are the first 12 for your consideration and meditation. Continue reading
Filed under Friday's List to Life By
Several news outlets reported this week about a Belgian farmer, apparently annoyed by a stone that had been in his tractor’s way, decided to move it 7-8 feet away from his field.
No big deal? Not newsworthy? Continue reading
Filed under Authority
Daniel Webster, the 19th-century statesman, and orator was known for his quick wit. The story’s told that his way with words was evidenced early in childhood.
One day Webster’s father, who was leaving on a short trip, left Daniel and his brother Ezekiel specific work instructions. But on his return, he found the task still undone, and questioned his sons about their idleness.
“What have you been doing, Ezekiel?” he asked. Continue reading
Filed under Ministry
Blaise Pascal, the 17th-century French philosopher, is credited with saying, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.”
So, is there such a hole in the heart of an atheist? Can an atheist come to Christ? Continue reading
Filed under Evangelism
Timanthes, was an ancient Greek painter from the 4th century B.C. who was studying under a respected tutor.
There’s a legend that he once painted an exquisite work of art, but he became so enraptured with the painting that he spent several days gazing at it, instead of finishing it.
One morning when he arrived to admire his work, he was shocked to find it blotted out with paint. Angry, he ran to his teacher, who admitted he destroyed the painting. “I did it for your own good. That painting was retarding your progress. Start again and see if you can do better.” Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
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