In a shocking speech that is reverberating across the world, Pope Francis made this declaration in the third Vatican council.
“Through humility, soul searching, and prayerful contemplation we have gained a new understanding of certain dogmas. The church no longer believes in a literal hell where people suffer. Continue reading
Filed under Integrity
I was a 15-year-old kid beginning my Sophomore year when Dr. King gave his famous “I Have A Dream Speech. The civil rights movement hadn’t come to rural Indiana. We had no black neighbors. There were no black kids in my school. And no black families attended the church where we worshiped. Continue reading
Filed under character
Today Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of our greatest Presidents. However, at that time he had many political enemies including Edwin Stanton, who looked down on Lincoln with great disdain. Among other unkind epithets, Stanton described Lincoln as “a long armed ape,” an “ignoramus” and “the original Gorilla.”
However, when it came time to replace Simon Cameron, his first Secretary of War, Lincoln appointed Stanton to the job. His Cabinet was shocked. But Lincoln believed Stanton was the best man for the job. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
The picture of Gethsemane is familiar. Jesus leaning on a rock. Hands folded. The moon shining. A halo effect over his head. A scene of serenity. The saintly Savior saying His prayers. Trusting in the Father. Safe in His hands. Ready to be offered.
Really?
The apostle Matthew was there. And he paints a different picture. Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
Throwback Thursday is a weekly theme by social media users to post past photos of themselves. In that spirit I’m posting a 1960 picture of the Everly Brothers. Phil is on the left and his brother Don is on the right. I hadn’t thought about them in a long time, until I recently learned that Phil passed away. Continue reading
Yesterday I had lunch with a friend of mine at P. F. Chang’s on the Plaza. The food was good. The Server was friendly. The conversation was enjoyable. The fellowship was encouraging. And at the end of the meal when I opened my Chinese fortune cookie….it was “spot on”! Continue reading
Filed under Persistence, Wisdom
Recent news headlines are pretty depressing.
“No Pants Subway Day” Yes, it is what it sounds like! In 60 cities across the world people rode the subway sans their pants. Acting as if everything was normal people waited, boarded and rode the subway in their boxers, briefs and panties. The twelfth annual event is said to have attracted over 4,000 participants in New York City.
As we shake our collective heads in utter disbelief and disgust, there is more…. Continue reading
Filed under America, Morality, Uncategorized
Several years ago, I heard a story that came out of the Special Olympics in Seattle. Nine contestants, all physically or mentally handicapped, assembled at the starting line to run the 100 yard dash.
The gun sounded. And off they went! Well, not exactly in a dash! But with a zest and enthusiasm to run the race. However, one little boy stumbled and fell. As he tumbled to the track, he began to cry. The other eight heard him. Stopped. And slowly returned. Continue reading
Filed under compassion, Word of the Week
“Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross” is one of the most popular hymns written by Fanny Crosby. Blinded in infancy by a Doctor’s negligence, Crosby was influenced by a godly grandmother and inspired by the famous poet William Cullen Bryant when she was a student at the New York Institute for the Blind. Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
Friedrich Schleiermacher was an 18th century German philosopher and theologian. He became famous for trying to reconcile the criticisms of The Enlightenment with “traditional Protestant Christianity.” He is often called “the Father of modern liberal theology.”
The story is told that one day as an old man he was sitting alone on a bench in a city park. A policeman saw him and thought he was a vagrant. So he came over, shook him and asked, “Who are you?” Schleiermacher sadly replied, “I wish I knew.” Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
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