It was 76 years ago that early on Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, Japan attacked our naval and airbase at Pearl Harbor. It was a surprise and unprovoked attack that propelled the USA into World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called it “a date that will live in infamy.” On this anniversary of Pearl Harbor, there are several thoughts with spiritual applications that come to mind. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
In the summer of 1963 a family friend, Buddy Fehrman, took me with him to preach for a little country church outside of Bloomington, Indiana. That was my first sermon.
During my Junior and Senior years of High School, the brethren gave me opportunities to preach on an appointment basis throughout central Indiana. I attended Florida College with one goal in my mind. To preach the gospel of Christ. During my college years, I was preaching on a regular basis.
In the 49 years Norma Jean and I have been married I have been preaching. Most of the time in a located work. Our ministry has taken us to Ohio, back to Florida twice, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, and now Texas.
But now the time has come for us to begin a new chapter in our lives. Continue reading
Filed under Preaching
A crowded Southwest flight was canceled because of a mechanical problem. A single gate agent was re-booking a long line of inconvenienced travelers.
Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket down on the counter and said, “I HAVE to be on this flight,”
The agent replied, “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll be happy to try to help you, but I’ve got to help these people first, and I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out.” Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
The late, great General Douglas MacArthur once wrote about a lesson he learned when he was a student at West Point.He was studying “time-space relationship formulated by Einstein as his Theory of Relativity.” MacArthur said the text was complex and difficult to comprehend. So, he simply committed the pages to memory. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Yesterday’s post, How to Deal with Personal Offenses, was in response to a reader’s question regarding Matthew 18:15-17. If you missed it, please read it first. It will provide the context as we continue this discussion. Continue reading
Filed under Repentance
In my 50 years of preaching the one problem I’ve found that is pretty consistent in all churches regardless of size, culture, or local customs is the challenge of maintaining good relationships.
Specifically, how do you deal with a personal offense from a brother or sister in Christ?
Recently a reader wrote to ask my perspective on Matthew 18. This post is in response to her questions. Continue reading
Filed under Forgiveness
I read the other day that Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has passed Bill Gates as the richest man in the United States with wealth exceeding $100 Billion.
Suppose Bezos decided to deposit $86,000 every day in your bank account. But with one stipulation. You couldn’t carry over any balance to the next day. You had to spend it, invest it or give it away. You couldn’t let it sit idle in the bank. What would you do? Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
Black Friday. Small Business Saturday. Cyber-Monday. These days following Thanksgiving have become familiar days known for buying. Getting good deals. And jump-starting the Christmas season.
What may not be as well publicized is today. Giving Tuesday. According to their web page, it is a “global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.” Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
P. R. Van Gorder tells the story of a sculptor who was showing a visitor some marble figures displayed in his studio. One unusual sculpture caught the guest’s attention. It had two peculiar features. Where the statue’s face normally would have been, the sculptor had chiseled a covering of hair, and on both feet were wings.
“What is the name of this one?” asked the visitor.
“Opportunity,” the artist answered Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
While I intended to take off Thursday and Friday from blogging, I do want to share this important message with our readers. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
ThePreachersWord 