Today’s list is about friendship, from author and seminar speaker, Alice Gray.
The Bible says “A friend loves at all times” and “there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Prov. 17:17; 18:24).
Alice offers 13 ways that this is true. Continue reading
Filed under Friday's List to Life By
Our Wednesday evening Bible class at the West Citrus Church is studying the beatitudes.
Last night we studied “Blessed are the persecuted…” We noted that conflict between Christians and the world is inevitable because there has always been conflict between God and satan.
With that, someone said, “Well, a lot of people don’t believe in the devil.” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Recently I was watching the Andy Griffith Show that taught a wonderful lesson called, “Opie’s Charity.”
The episode from 1960 begins with Annabelle Silby coming by Andy’s house while he and Opie are playing catch. She’s soliciting help for the annual children’s charity drive.
When Andy and Annabelle go to the courthouse to discuss the status of the fund-raiser, she compliments Mayberry’s children for their willingness to help. Andy uses this opportunity to brag on Opie, suggesting he’s probably one of the biggest contributors in the class. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
“If it bleeds, it leads,” is an old expression that basically means that if there’s violence, destruction, or death involved it receives top billing on television news.
Unfortunately, negative news garners attention, attracts viewers, and improves ratings.
In fact, so much of the broadcast news today, both on network and cable TV is more commentary than news. It often reflects the political or social bias and the world view of the commentator or the network. And it’s often designed to fuel conflict, sow discord, and divide people. Continue reading
Filed under Opportunity
Our word today, “sincere,” provides a pleasant flashback to one of my epistles Bible classes at Florida College many years ago.
We were studying Philippians taught by Clinton Hamilton, who was meticulously thorough in his scholarship (If you’ve read one of his commentaries you know what I mean.)
We came to Philippians 1:9-10 which reads: Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Today where I worship at the West Citrus Church, we’re beginning a study entitled, “Getting to Know God” from my Family Bible Study Series.
While this thought is not original with me, I’m always reminded that knowing about God is not the same as knowing God. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good morning from Beverly Hills
A friend asked me the other day, “When are you going back to Canada?”
I laughed.
Then explained the current complicated situation.
Filed under Weekly Recap
Our Wednesday night class at the West Citrus Church has been studying the beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
This week we discussed Matt. 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.”
From this statement, we offered several Biblical suggestions on how peace is possible, which serves as today’s list. Continue reading
Filed under Friday's List to Life By
Although I’m a basketball fan, in recent years I’ve watched very few NBA games. This year I watched zero. Not even the NBA finals.
I’ve not only become disenchanted with the pro game itself but with so many chest-thumping, camera gawking, self-absorbed men enamored by their own greatness.
Now, I wish I have seen some of the finals just to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo. Continue reading
Filed under Blessing
Several years ago a Missouri preacher, Steve Shepherd, related a story about a woman who was in the grips of severe depression.
She felt helpless. Hopeless. And afraid. For weeks she wept constantly. She didn’t want to be left alone for fear she would take her own life. When she went to bed, she hoped she would never wake up.
Her Bible Study class intervened and purposed what they called “The Brave Christian’s experiment.” In desperation, the woman decided to try this plan which basically called for God to be at the center of one’s life.
The plan consisted of these five steps. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Passage To Ponder
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