My friend and preaching colleague, Wilson Adams called it “Symptomatology.” I thought he made it up. But it’s a real word. A medical word. But Wilson defined it as “treating symptoms instead of the real problem.”
“Truth is,” Wilson wrote in a recent facebook post, “we are becoming quite numb to school, church, and public killings. Immersed in a culture of violence, we are witnessing a lost generation without conscience moorings.”
“Why?” He asks. Continue reading
Filed under Sin
In yesterday’s post, I Am Not Ashamed, we spoke to a single aspect of one of the great verses of the Bible, Romans 1:16. But there is more to be considered from this special verse.
Paul, the author of Romans, had formerly been a persecutor of Christians. He was known as Saul of Tarsus. However, he renounced his Judaism, surrendered his advantages, privileges, and credentials and became despised, rejected and persecuted by the enemies of Christ.
Why? Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
In this age of post-modernism, pragmatism, and market-driven ministry there seems to be some embarrassment in some circles regarding the gospel message.
ThePreachersWord is posted on a number of religious facebook pages, many with names connected to churches of Christ. Yet, I often see extremely pejorative comments regarding the truth, scripture and the beliefs of brethren in general. The church is often downgraded and dismissed as an unnecessary, outdated relic of the past. Continue reading
Filed under Gospel
Yesterday was an emotional day for us at West Main. Although next Sunday is our last Sunday, yesterday the sisters hosted a farewell party for us. With next weekend being the Memorial Day holiday, this worked well for all of us.
It was an afternoon filled with laughter and some tears. Hugs and handshakes. Funny stories. Parting gifts. Lovely cards. Delicious desserts. And most of all the special feeling of kinship that was in the air. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
This morning, from our Bible reading in Acts 27, I was reminded of this commonly quoted phrase, “This, too, shall pass.”
It is a paraphrase taken from the King James Bible, “and it came to pass.” It occurs 477 times in the KJV and 177 times in the NKJV. In more modern translations, it is used far less often.
It is an expression used by folks working through difficult circumstances. There is no definitive answer to the exact origin of this popular saying, but some believe it stems from a fable written by Persian Sufi poets. Others suggest it was a part of Jewish folklore and credit King Solomon, although it is not recorded in the Bible. Continue reading
Filed under Life
Presently I am involved in the massive job of cleaning out both my home and church office. I am discovering things I had either forgotten about or didn’t know I had.
One serendipity is finding short quotes I’ve jotted down on a card or scrap of paper that never got filed. Here’s one on the back of a card from Miss Mary Bobo’s in Lynchburg, Tennessee. Apparently I heard it there. Or maybe read it on a plague in their gift shop. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
5-year old Jason was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup,but he didn’t want to go in alone.
“It’s dark in there and I’m scared.”
She asked again, and he persisted. Finally she said, “It’s OK–Jesus will be in there with you.”
Jason walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when all at once an idea came to him. Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
Yesterday was a historic day in modern day Israel. On the 70th anniversary of the United Nations recognition of modern day Israel, the United States moved our embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognizing it as the capital.
While ThePreachersWord does not hold a political position on moving the capital to Jerusalem, it is interesting from a Biblical perceptive. Especially since this decision has been applauded by most evangelicals including the Dallas preacher, Dr. Robert Jeffress, who was invited to offer the dedication prayer. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Kent Crockett illustrates a joyful attitude with the story about a man who walked by a table in a hotel and noticed three men and a dog playing cards. The dog appeared to be winning.
“That must be a very smart dog,” the man commented.
“He ain’t so smart,” said one of the players. “Every time he gets a good hand he wags his tail!” Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
“All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother,” once reflected President Abraham Lincoln.
I’m sure Lincoln’s sentiments are the feelings of many of us as we approach a celebration of mother’s day this year.
The two most influential women in my life have been my mother, Mattie Weliever, and my wife, Norma Jean, the mother of our children. My life is better, stronger, and richer because of their profound influence in my ministry. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
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