Though written 3,000 years ago, the collection of Psalms are timeless as they address the human condition. They speak to hearts that are heavy with sorrow, consciences laden with sin, and spirits that are crushed by outside circumstances often beyond our control.
So, what can we do? Read Psalms 56-60. They provide wonderful insights and answers. Here are five things from these Psalms that will help and offer hope. Continue reading
“In looking at the faces around the cross, which do you think was the most sinister? On whose shoulders above all others rests the responsibility for this supreme crime of history? Whose hands are the most stained by this innocent blood? ”
These questions raised by Clovis Chappel, a preacher of the early 20th century, are interesting and intriguing.
Was it the betraying Judas? The denying Peter? The cowardly Pilate? The clamoring Jewish crowd? The suborned witnesses? The brutal Roman soldiers? Continue reading
Filed under Cross, It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
In a Peanuts comic strip, Linus and Charlie Brown are engaged in serious conversation.
“I have a theological question,” says Linus, “When you die, and go to Heaven, are you graded on a percentage or on a curve?”
“On a curve, naturally,” Charlie responds.
Linus is clearly puzzled and asks, “How can you be so sure?”
Cheerfully Charlie answers, “I’m always sure about things that are a matter of opinion. Continue reading
Filed under Religion, Uncategorized
Well, the Final Four of the NCAA is being played in Atlanta this weekend. So, how are your brackets looking?
You know the one where you predicted Duke, St Louis, VCU and Miami to be in the Final Four of the NCAA basketball tournament? Or for Michigan State to win it all? What happened to your Cinderella teams!
Oh, and who had Florida Gulf Coast University in the Sweet Sixteen? I know of no one except my wife, Norma Jean! I didn’t believe it. But sure enough she did! When I asked, “Why?” She said, “I picked all Florida teams! And I just like them!” So, much for expert analysis. Continue reading
Filed under Life
I’ve watched a lot of college basketball games. But none like the one Sunday evening between the University of Louisville and Duke.
It was the most shocking moment I’ve ever seen on a basketball court. It literally sucked the energy out of the arena as 35, 657 fans who were wildly cheering one moment sat in stunned silence the next. Continue reading
D. L. Moody was a famous19th century preacher known for his evangelistic campaigns, which attracted large crowds. These meetings were often attended by hecklers who were in violent disagreement with his teaching.
In the final service of one meeting, an usher handed Moody a note as he approached the lectern. It was from an atheist who had been giving Mr. Moody a great deal of trouble. The evangelist, however, supposed that is was an announcement, so he quieted the large audience and prepared to read it. Opening the folded piece of paper he found scrawled in large print only one word: “Fool!” The colorful preacher was equal to the occasion. He looked around the audience and said…. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
With such an emphasis today on the “week-end” as a time for travel, recreation, or sporting events it is easy to forget that Sunday is the first day of the week.
It is a unique day in history. It is a day sanctified in Scripture. It is a day special to all Christians.
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Filed under Uncategorized
In the Louvre Museum in Paris there is a painting depicting Jesus on the cross. The world is engulfed in darkness. The stars are dim. And in the shadows there is the form of a woman kneeling. Her hands are caressing and her lips are pressing against the bloody, mangled feet of Jesus.
That woman is Mary Magdalene. Continue reading
Filed under Cross, It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
Two men. Two views of the Bible. One man is known world-wide. The other man is unknown, except for a small circle of friends. One man is bombastic and out-spoken. The other man is plainspoken and unpretentious. One man is on TV. The other man watches TV.
Two men. Bill O’Reilly. Nathan Eve. Continue reading
(Note: This post was the sixth most read of 2013)
David Cawston, in a sermon entitled “Ready to Face the Music,” began with this riddle. Can you guess the answer?
“There is a preacher of the old school, but he speaks as boldly as ever. He is not popular though the world is his parish, and he travels every part of the globe and speaks in every language. He visits the poor, calls upon the rich, preaches to people of every religion and no religion, and the subject of his sermon is always the same. He is an eloquent preacher, often stirring feelings which no other preacher could in bringing tears to eyes that never weep. His arguments none are able to refute, nor is there any heart that has remained unmoved by the force of his appeals. He shatters life with his message. Most people hate him; everyone fears him.”
“His name?” Continue reading
Filed under 2013 Top Posts, Death, Eulogy
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