Author Archives: ThePreachersWord

November 5, 2019 · 7:37 am

5 Things More Important Than Money

This week begins the 2019-2020 college basketball season. Pre-season experts have dubbed Michigan State the #1 ranked team. Followed by Kansas, Kentucky, Duke and Louisville.

Last year’s NCAA Champion, the Virginia Cavaliers, are ranked #11 But their coach, Tony Bennett, ought to be ranked #1 in terms of character, priorities, and values.

Bennett did something in the offseason that few of us would ever do. He declined a “substantial” raise, so the money could be used to increase salaries for his staff and make other improvements to UVA sports programs. Continue reading →

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November 4, 2019 · 8:30 am

Word of the Week: Dignity

Sunday there began a call from several theologically diverse religious groups to pray for “political civility” during the 2020 Presidential election, which will occur exactly one year from yesterday.

Identified as “Golden Rule 2020: A Call for Dignity and Respect in Politics,” the prayer campaign is overseen by the University of Arizona’s National Institute for Civil Discourse and Theo Brown, the director for their Faith-Based Programs. Continue reading →

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November 1, 2019 · 8:20 am

Living An Abundant Life

In an old “Peanuts” cartoon, Lucy is talking to her baby brother, Linus. The scenario unfolds like this.

Lucy: ’I’ll tell you something I’ve never told anyone before.’

She points to a hill in the distance and says, ’Someday, I’m going over that hill and find happiness and fulfillment. For me, all the answers to life lie beyond those clouds and over the grassy slopes of those hills.’ Continue reading →

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October 31, 2019 · 7:23 am

“I Was Blind But Now I See”

For the past two weeks, Norma Jean and I have enjoyed seeing the beautiful Fall foliage in the Smoky Mountains. During our time here, the landscape has changed right before our eyes. It’s an incredible sight.

Can you imagine being born blind, unable to see the mountains and valleys ablaze with color? Or never seeing the hues of orange, red, purple and pink of a gorgeous sunset? Never seeing the town you live in? Never seeing the face of your mother, brother, or sister? Continue reading →

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October 30, 2019 · 8:08 am

A Passage To Ponder: John 8:31-36

A preacher was standing at the church house door shaking hands as the congregation departed and saw a man who rarely attended.

He grabbed him by the arm and said, “You need to join the Army of the Lord!”

“I’m already in the Army of the Lord,” the man replied.

“How come I don’t see you except for Christmas and Easter?” the preacher questioned. Continue reading →

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October 29, 2019 · 8:06 am

The Deconversion of Christians

Do you ever miss being a Christian?”

“No,” replied Anthony B. Pinn comfortably.

In an online story by The ChristianPost, Leonardo Blair relates the deconversion of a professor of humanities and religion at Rice University in Houston, Texas.

Deconversion is a strange-sounding new word to Christians. We’re familiar with conversion. But deconversion? It’s defined as a loss of faith or leaving one’s religion for another religion, or no religion at all. Continue reading →

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October 28, 2019 · 6:49 am

Word of the Week: Counsel

You may remember David Bloom, the Today show co-host on weekends, who died in 2003 while covering Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Bloom, however, did not die from injuries sustained in conflict, but rather of a pulmonary embolism. This condition occurs among those who sit for long periods of time, and Bloom spent most of his time in a cramped Army vehicle. Continue reading →

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October 25, 2019 · 8:01 am

Let’s Encourage One Another To Keep Climbing

 

Norma Jean and I are currently enjoying some post-meeting R & R in the Smoky Mountains.  Yesterday was a gorgeous crisp fall day. Sunny.  Clear.  And perfect for a drive to higher elevations and some walking.

Clingman’s Dome was our destination.  At 6643 feet, it’s the highest mountain in the Smokies.  From the observation tower, you get an amazing 360-degree panoramic view of the mountains. And on a clear day, like yesterday, you can see 7 states and over 100 miles. Continue reading →

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October 24, 2019 · 7:54 am

Is the Risk Worth it?

On this day in history, October 24, 1901, Annie Edson Taylor, was the first person to take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel.

The 63-year-old schoolteacher was hurting financially and seeking fame, so she came up with this stunt she thought would grab the public’s attention. Continue reading →

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October 23, 2019 · 7:36 am

A Passage To Ponder: 1 John 3:16-18

Dennis Davidson tells a story about Samuel Bradburn, an associate of John Wesley, who was a highly respected minister of his day.

On one occasion Davidson was in desperate financial need. When Wesley learned of his circumstances, he sent him the following letter: “Dear Sammy: ‘trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.’ Yours affectionately, John Wesley.” Attached to the letter was a 5-pound note (then worth about $10). Continue reading →

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