When we think of Heroes of Faith our minds go to Hebrews 11. We think of Abel. Enoch. Noah. Abraham. Isaac. Jacob. Joseph. Moses. And Joshua. Their stories are well known. We preach sermons about them. And model them as examples of faith to our children in VBS.
However, this morning I am reading about some other faithful heroes.
Epaenetus. Andronicus. Junia. Amplias. Urbanus. And Stachys. Recognize any of them? Continue reading
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Well, the journey continues. Or it really begins in earnest. The past two weeks we have been moving from North Texas, helping Kenny move, unpacking, and storing stuff in our storage unit. And, of course, enjoying our four grandchildren here in Florida.
Today, we begin our trek toward Ontario, Canada for the summer. And hope to arrive by Friday. While there has been a good deal of planning into the next several months of our journey, I haven’t come up with a really succinct explanation of what we are doing. Continue reading
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This story may be apocryphal, but it is said that when Alexander the Great, who created an empire that stretched from his home in Macedonia to India, arrived in Persia in 334BC he ordered his ships burned.
As his few thousand troops were facing a few hundred thousand of the enemy, one of his commanders asked, “How will we get home?” Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
Last week while in the midst of moving from North Texas and helping Kenny’s family move from Louisiana, we learned of the passing of our friend Bill Hammontree.
Bill was known to many of our readers either through his association with Florida College, his years of selfless service in Rotary, or his dedication and commitment as a Christian.
As I have been reflecting on his passing this week, it reminds me of how many of my mentors and older friends who have positively influenced my life are putting off this mortal body for the immortal one in eternity. It reminds me that I am also quickly moving in that direction.
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“Words mean things. When you put them together they speak,” once observed Samuel R. Delany, the award-winning Science Fiction author.
Politicians, Political pundits, publishers, poets and of course, preachers make use of words to prove a point, push an agenda, or to provide insight. They may be used to challenge preconceived notions. Continue reading
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It’s been just over 30 years ago, that my mom remarked, “I can’t believe I have a son turning 40.”
Well, now, the “tables are turned,” our daughter, Rachél, hit the “BIG 40″ yesterday. It is hard to believe.
These milestones of life and age shouldn’t surprise us. But somehow they sneak up on us. As time marches on. Continue reading
Filed under Age
Yesterday Norma Jean and I visited the West Citrus Church in Crystal River, Florida. It was my pleasure to fill in and speak during the Bible class period, but our real blessing was listening to a lesson by one of their members, Jim Underwood.
Jim began his sermon by reading the words of this country song by singer and songwriter Chris Stapleton.
Daddy don’t pray anymore
I guess he’s finished talking to the lord
He used to fold his hands and bow his head down to the floor
But daddy don’t pray anymore Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
For over 200 years The American Bible Society (ABS) has been publishing, distributing and translating the Bible into every language. Their website states their mission is to “transform lives through God’s Word.”
However, the ABS has been met with resistance by some of its employees over a new policy they recently implemented. In fact, some have quit their jobs. What far-out idea could have caused this uproar within ABS? Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
This morning reading Romans 8 reminded me of the story of little Johnny visiting his grandparents on their farm.
Johnny was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced shooting rocks, but he could never hit the target. Discouraged, he headed back inside for lunch.
As he returned to his grandma’s backyard, he spied her pet duck. Impulsively he took aim and hit the duck square in the head and killed it. Johnny panicked and hid the duck in the woodpile, only to look up and see his sister, Sally, watching. Continue reading
Filed under Love
Jack Cottrell was a professor of theology at Cincinnati Christian University from 1967 to 2015 and the author of numerous books. He often wrote regarding faith, grace and baptism.
Regarding salvation, Cottrell wrote, “Both faith and baptism are conditions for salvation, but faith is the means and baptism is the time.”
He then shared this illustration to make his point. Continue reading
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