Author Archives: ThePreachersWord

Seeing Like Jesus

“A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way,” wrote John Maxwell in his best selling book, The Success Journey.

John’s point speaks to the virtue of vision. Perception. And foresight. It’s also the attribute the apostle John enunciated when he recorded Jesus’ words to the disciples in John 4:35.

“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” Continue reading

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A Passage To Ponder: John 3:1-21

“Being called a “born-again Christian” can mean many things to many people,” wrote Matthew Barrett in a recent online post in Christianity Today.

“For some,” Barrett writes, “it means you are a Bible-thumping fundamentalist or a political conservative. For others, it means you were converted at a Billy Graham crusade. Countless stereotypes have created endless confusion.”

The article, entitled, “Even Among Some Well-Meaning Christians, ‘Born Again’ Is Often Misunderstood,” is subtitled “Recapturing the meaning of a much-stereotyped phrase” Continue reading

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7 Names for Jesus in John 1

Billy Sunday once said in a sermon that there are 256 names given for Jesus in the Bible. Then he added, “I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express.”

This is significant because the Bible pays particular attention to names. Names speak to one’s character. Identity. Personality. And purpose in life.

The many names of Jesus remind of us His greatness. His majesty. His Deity. His ministry. His mission. And our relationship to Him. Continue reading

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Word of the Week: Fullness


“Life is short, and we only live once. So how to live life to the fullest and actually live the life you want?, asked communications expert and life coach Anna Chui, “Here are 9 ways you can try,” she suggested. Continue reading

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Sunday Seed Thoughts: God Cares.

Today is “National I Care About You Day, according to the calendar of unusual and little known holidays.

Appropriately this day falls on a Sunday this year. And we’re reminded we gather to worship our God who cares.

The Old Testament prophet affirms “The Lord of hosts cares for his flock (Zech 10:3). And the New Testament encourages us to “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (I Pet. 5:7). Continue reading

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Weekly Recap: October 18-23

Good morning from the magnificent Smoky Mountains.

Norma Jean and I are enjoying one of our favorite places as we behold God’s creative genius and see the Fall foliage change daily with its splendorous colors.

Attached are the titles and links to this week’s blog posts.  In case you’ve missed any, it’s an easy way to catch up. Plus a good opportunity to share a sample of ThePreachersWord with others.  Also, there’s an additional bonus post. Continue reading

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Friday’s List To Live By #14

Today’s list is a reminder of who God is and how He helps us as we live in a faithless and godless generation.

It is condensed and adapted from “God Encounter: Experiencing the Power of Creative Prayer,” by best selling author, Lisa Tawn Bergren.

If you’re new to ThePreachersWord or have missed some of the previous 13 lists, click here.

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Pressure and the Pandemic

Yesterday The Today show featured a segment on the problem of pressure during the Coronavirus pandemic. It released the results of research by Mental Health America (MHA) and the American Psychological Association (APA) on the mental health of Americans during this crisis.

  • 78% of adults said COVID-19 is a significant source of stress in their life.
  • 2/3 said they were experiencing increased stress during the pandemic.
  • Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) are more likely to feel lonely.
  • More than 50% of kids 11-17 admitted they had thought of committing suicide.
  • The number of people looking for help with anxiety and depression during the pandemic has skyrocketed.

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A Passage To Ponder: Psalm 147


Jeff Strite tells the story about a farmer in a country restaurant who bowed his head in prayer before eating his breakfast.

Two young fellas at the next table thought it was odd and quietly made fun of him as he prayed. When the farmer finished his prayer, they chided: “Hey old man, does everybody out on the farm pray over their meals?” Continue reading

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9 Reasons Why I Write

Today is the “National Day on Writing,” according to the calendar of unusual and little known national holidays.

Their web site says, “This day is actually an initiative of the National Council of Teachers of English — built on the premise that writing is critical to literacy but needs greater attention and celebration.”

Writers are encouraged today to share their reasons for writing around the theme of #WhyIWrite. Apparently, this title is taken from George Orwell’s 1946 essay, “Why I Write.” Continue reading

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