John Mason wrote a fine little book entitled “Conquering an Enemy Called Average.” Each chapter is only two pages, but it is filled with wonderful nuggets of wisdom. In chapter 42 he simply lists some things we should be. In looking at these again I noticed how each one involves a Biblical command or principle. So, I’ve added some verses to these for your consideration and encouragement. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Earnest Hemingway, in The Capital of the World, tells a popular Spanish story about a father and his son named “Paco.”
Paco was rebellious. Disobedient. Defiant. And irresponsible. Unwilling to follow his father’s rules, he preferred his own way of living. One evening in the heat of an argument, Paco hurled some hurtful and hateful words at his father. Packed up his few possessions. Stomped out the door, slamming it behind him. And traveled to Madrid. Hoping to never see his father again. Continue reading
Filed under Forgiveness, Word of the Week
In his book The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren writes, “The heart of worship is surrender.” He suggests that the idea of surrender is both unpopular as well as disliked. We are taught NOT to surrender. Never give up. Never give in. Fight to the bitter end. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
“I have learned that track doesn’t define me. My faith defines me. I’m running because I have been blessed with a gift,” said Olympic track star Allyson Felix.
Next week Felix, a 2012 Olympic Champion and 3 time world champion, will compete in Rio in the women’s 400M event. However, Felix, told the LA Times last week that “faith leads my life.” She said that there is a “bigger picture” and “a greater purpose” to life.” Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living, Discipleship
Do you know what these people have in common with Olympic Gold medalist Michael Phelps? Joe Clarke? Michael Jung? Rafaela Silva? Mack Horton? Sukanya Srisurat? And Hoang Xuan Vihn?
Now, if you said each won an Olympic gold medal in Rio you’d be right! But do you know where they are from and what sport they medaled in? Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
“My mom taught us as a Christian, your character, your integrity and how you honor God were so much more important than your job title,” shared coaching great Tony Dungy in his acceptance speech at Saturday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.
Dungy is a class act. He lives in the North Tampa area close to where I preached for nine years. Over time I heard several stories from members who met Tony or happened to see him grocery shopping in Publix. He was always kind, cordial and thoughtful. I had one occasion to meet him at a leadership dinner sponsored by Florida College. He graciously signed an autographed program and took the time to engage in conversion. Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
President Calvin Coolidge was nicknamed “Silent Cal,” because of his dry wit and brevity of speech. He was the opposite of his vivacious wife, Grace, who was the life of the party. While she chatted, Coolidge remained quiet.
The story is told that the famous wit, Dorothy Parker, was once seated by President Coolidge at a dinner party. Miss Parker said to the president that she had bet a friend that during the course of the meal she could make him say more than five words. Continue reading
The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio are off and running. Literally. Soccer. Rowing. Archery. Shooting. Water Polo. Fencing. Beach Volleyball. And table tennis have all had events. Gold medals have been won. And world records have been set.
While I’m more interested in the track and field events and basketball, all of these sports have several things in common: Disciplined athletes. A desire to win. And fans that love and follow the sport. There’s also one more thing they all share. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
“The heart is central,” wrote John Eldredge in his book The Ransomed Heart. “That I would even need to remind you of this only shows how far we have fallen from the life we were meant to live—or how powerful the spell has been.” Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
“I tackled my first English essay in college with enthusiasm, a thesaurus, and a naive disregard for page limits,” writes Carolyn Arends in an April 2014 article in Christianity Today. To her dismay the professor returned her paper with this comment: “Carolyn, you’ve made some fine points, but unfortunately they are lost in a sea of circumlocutious wordiness.”
While Carolyn admits she has always “loved words” and “a well turned phrase,” she confesses that she grew “troubled by a growing sense that (she) needed to pay more attention to wordless things.” She asks, ” Have I reduced the scope of what I can know to what I can articulate?” Continue reading
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