Graham Kendrick reminds us, “Worship is first and foremost for His benefit, not ours, though it is marvelous to discover that in giving Him pleasure, we ourselves enter into what can become our richest and most wholesome experience in life.” Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” Pontus Pilate asked Jesus at His trial.
The power in Jesus’ day resided in Rome. Everyone knew it. Their empirical rule reached across the known world. The power was evident in their army. Their outposts of culture. Their massive building programs. Their roads. And, of course, their ruler. He was Pontifex Maximus. Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
Perhaps you’ve heard the story about a man who was stranded on a desert island for many, many years. One day, while strolling along the beach, he spotted a ship in the distance. This had never happened in all the time he was on the island, so he was very excited about the chance of being rescued.
Immediately, he built a fire on the beach and generated as much smoke as possible. It worked! Soon, the ship was heading his way. When the ship was close enough to the island, a dinghy was dispatched to investigate the situation. The man on the island was overjoyed with the chance to be rescued and met his saviors as they landed. Continue reading
Filed under Unity
I heard a story about a man in the early 1900’s who was bitten by a rabid animal and taken to the local hospital. The doctor examined him, ran some tests, and broke the bad news to him.
“I’m sorry,” he said, “but you have contracted rabies.” This was prior to a cure being found. So the Dr sadly announced, “There’s no hope for you. We can keep you comfortable during your last days, but that’s all. I suggest you write out your will and set your affairs in order.” Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
From Aesop’s Fables is this story with a great moral–The Man, The Boy, and The Donkey.
A man and his son were once going with their donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed them and said: “You fools, what is a donkey for but to ride upon?” So the man put the boy on the donkey and they went on their way.
But soon they passed a group of men, one of whom said: “See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides.” So the man ordered his boy to get off, and got on himself. Continue reading
Filed under Criticism
“When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song,” said the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti who died in 2007.
“He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teachers college,” related Pavarotti.
On graduating, I asked my father, ‘Shall I be a teacher or a singer?’ Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
The word “kin” comes from a common Teutonic word. Kin has to do with family—those who are related and share a common bloodline, a common ancestor. People used to refer to their relatives as kin folks. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
I occasionally eat at a Wendy’s for lunch. It’s close to my office. I like their burger better than other chains. Plus they give me free drinks! But I’m often reminded of their founder, the late Dave Thomas. Remember his commercials? He was affable. Humble. And just down-to-earth.
Once Thomas was asked what made him so successful. His answer? “My MBA!” But he didn’t mean a graduate degree in business education. He called it a “mop and bucket attitude.” For him no task was too menial. He simply rolled up his sleeves and joined in to get the job done. Great leaders are like that. Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
“This is plagiarism at its worst! You did not create this!” recently wrote one of my readers.
The reader continued to chastise me saying, “An old black preacher (I can’t remember his name, but I have the entire sermon on CD!) wrote and preached this about 7 years ago! Write your own sermons, man!” Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
Here’s a past and present day salute to those who serve our country with honor, dignity and courage. Thank you. And may God bless you.
During the Iraq war in 2004 the Wall Street Journal ran a front page story about the “new training” the Marines were receiving.
In addition to being drilled in combat skills and heavy weaponry, they were receiving instruction regarding respect for the Iraqi citizens. The Marine commanders borrowed the maxim from the Hippocratic Oath: “First do no harm.” The philosophy behind the new protocol was not intended to put the Marines at unwarranted risk, but defuse hostility and suspicion. The article called it a “reprogramming campaign” that teaches these skilled soldiers to ask questions first and shoot later.
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Filed under Uncategorized
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