Author Archives: ThePreachersWord

May 27, 2021 · 6:59 am

Getting Back to the “Old Normal”

The “new normal” is an expression we’ve heard a good bit this past year during the COVID-19 pandemic. And it was not a phrase I particularly liked or embraced.

The “new normal” has been characterized by masks, social distancing, and no handshakes or hugs.

In terms of the church’s work and mission, it has for a time suspended public gatherings, and then limited their frequency and/or the number attending. It has kept brethren apart. Canceled gospel meetings. Limited fellowship. Put plans on hold. Hampered ministry projects. And to a large extent social-distanced us from the brotherhood. Continue reading →

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May 26, 2021 · 7:00 am

A Passage To Ponder: Romans 2:21-23

David Owens, A New York preacher, tells a story about a well-respected British minister who boarded the trolley early one Monday morning from his suburban home to downtown London.

He paid the driver as he got on the trolley, and being preoccupied with his busy schedule and the needs of his church he didn’t notice that the driver had given him too much change.

When he sat down he looked at the change and his first thought was, “My, how wonderfully God provides!” Continue reading →

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May 25, 2021 · 7:53 am

Encountering Obstacles

It’s funny. Sorta.

Last night I preached a lesson on “Overcoming Obstacles.” This morning I’m encountering various obstacles in publishing today’s blog post. Not the least of which has been my wifi connectivity.

“Life is difficult,” are the first three words of M. Scott Peck in his book “The Road Less Traveled.” I supposed you could add, “Then life gets more difficult.” Continue reading →

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May 24, 2021 · 6:35 am

Word of the Week: Pressing

This week I’m preaching in a meeting at the Cherry Sink Church in Gilchrist County, Florida. And it felt like we’d returned to the “normal” days of yesteryear.

I spoke twice in the morning. We had a potluck in the afternoon. And I spoke Sunday night. And I could see people’s faces. Almost no masks.

Our theme for the week is “Pressing Toward the Prize,” based on Philippians 3:13-14. Continue reading →

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May 23, 2021 · 5:23 am

Sunday Seed Thoughts: Nothing But The Blood

“Morality may keep you out of jail, but it takes the blood of Jesus Christ to keep you out of hell,” once quipped the 19th century English evangelist, Charles H. Spurgeon.

While Spurgeon’s comment may seem to some as borderline flippant, it’s true nonetheless.

The Bible speaks often of the efficacy of blood, especially the blood of Christ. Continue reading →

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May 22, 2021 · 5:22 am

Weekly Recap: May 16-21

Good Morning from Beverly Hills, Florida

After being away for 3 out of the last 4 weeks, it was good to be home all week.  And we’re blessed that we now have a place that we can call home.  Again.

Tomorrow, we’re driving up to Trenton where I’ll begin a Sunday-Wednesday meeting at the Cherry Sink Church.  We’ve been there many times in the past and look forward to being with these brethren again and seeing our friends in Gilchrist county.   You can access our schedule, as it currently stands, and see where we will be in the coming weeks. Continue reading →

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May 21, 2021 · 5:09 am

Friday’s List To Live By #40

Today’s list comes from a little paperback gift book by Clara Hinton entitled Heavenly Pearls of Wisdom for Husbands.

It contains 100 suggestions with an accompanying Bible verse on how husbands can keep love alive forever.

We picked out a dozen that you will find helpful. (Hint to wives: You might want to print this out and leave it where your husband can see it!) Continue reading →

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May 20, 2021 · 8:09 am

Almost. But…

An Alabama preacher, Kevin Jones, tells the sad story about a 62-year-old man named William Hyatt. He was found in the Mojave Desert with his face and his hands buried in the sand seeking water.

Hyatt’s car had broken down, and he had walked 22 miles through the Desert. The last two miles, he crawled on his hands and feet and finally died in the sand. Just over the hill, in ½ mile was the Saratoga Spring that could have saved him.

Almost, but… Continue reading →

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May 19, 2021 · 6:07 am

A Passage To Ponder: Acts 26:12-23

In his Daily Bible Study series, William Barclay tells a compelling story about an evangelist named Brownlow North. Apparently, in his younger days, he had lived a wild life.

“Once, just before he was to enter the pulpit in a church in Aberdeen, he received a letter. This letter informed him that its writer had evidence of some disgraceful thing which Brownlow North had done before he became a Christian, and it went on to say that the writer proposed to interrupt the service and to tell the whole congregation of that sin if he preached.” Continue reading →

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May 18, 2021 · 7:31 am

The Bonds That Bind Us Together

Last week Norma Jean and I attended the “Golden Grads” luncheon during the Florida College Lectures.

It’s a reunion of FC classes spanning the years from 1947-1971. This is the third year we’ve attended. You do the math. If you think you’re not getting older, this is a good reminder.

But it’s an enjoyable time to reconnect and catch up with those in your graduating class, as well as previous and subsequent classes now scattered around the country. Continue reading →

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