Author Archives: ThePreachersWord

The Disrespect for Marriage Coalition

MarriageThis week in Washington, D.C. the Supreme Court is considering two cases that have the potential to redefine marriage in our country.

The “Respect for Marriage Coalition” has increased their presence through TV-spots,  newspaper ads and timely interviews.  But it may not be what you think.

Here’s how the 30 second ad begins…

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Word of the Week: Blessed

Bible.Cross“Headlines” is a Jay Leno feature on the Tonight Show.  In that segment he features newspaper headlines, advertisements,  classified ads and stories that have misspellings, unfortunate word choices or just funny lines.

In one Tonight Show bit several years ago was this item from the lost-and-found column of a Midwestern newspaper: Continue reading

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Today, we are “snow bound” in KCMO! So, I thought it would be appropriate to reblog this post.

ThePreachersWord's avatarThePreachersWord

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“As white as the driven snow,” wrote Shakespeare in A Winter’s Tale. In Macbeth the poet used the expression “pure as snow.”  Is there any better metaphor for whiteness than snow?

We witnessed this first hand recently in Kansas City, Missouri.  We’ve had snow.  Lots of it!  Over two feet.  Following the first snow, Norma Jean and I marveled one night on how light everything looked behind our house.  The snow was so white.  So bright.  So intense in color that it looked like day light!

But do you know what’s whiter than snow?

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IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Faces Around the Cross: The Face of Fortune

Barabbas.2

•He is an infamous face.

•He’s mentioned by name in all four gospels.

•Thirty-eight verses in the New Testament tell his story.

•Yet he never speaks a single word.

•We know nothing about his family.  His Age. Or marital status.

•He disappears from the Bible record as quickly as he appears.

•Yet movies have been made about him.  Books have been written.  Sermons have been preached.

Can you guess who he is? Continue reading

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Nine Attributes of the Almighty

God.KnowingGod“What, in your opinion, is the greatest spiritual need in the world today?”  How would you answer that question?

Dr. R.C. Sproul, the noted author, philosopher and theologian, was asked that question in a conference of religious leaders.  Bill Hybels, in his book  “The God You’re Looking For,” was there and relates what happened. Continue reading

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What’s Your View of God?

Touching EarthA few years ago sociologists from Baylor’s Institute for Studies of Religion  did a study about our view of God.  The title of the research paper was called “The Values and Beliefs of the American Public.”  It was the result of a survey done by Gallup for Baylor University.

In response to 77 questions, the study identified four distinct images that people have of God’s personality and attitude toward the human race. The research claimed this study may “tell more about people’s social, moral and political views and personal piety than the familiar categories of Protestant, Catholic, Jew, or even red and blue states.”  Continue reading

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Can You See God?

 FishingJohnny approached his older sister, Suzie, with a serious question.  “Suzie, can anybody ever really see God?” Occupied with other things, Suzie tersely responded: “Of course not, silly. God is so far up in heaven that nobody can see him.”

Time passed, but Johnny’s question still puzzled him.   One day he approached his mother: “Mom, can anybody ever really see God?” Gently she replied, “No, not really. God is a spirit.  He dwells in our hearts.  But….we can never really see him.”  The answer satisfied Johnny somewhat,  but he still wondered. Continue reading

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Word of the Week: Attitude

Jesus.Attitude Sir Christopher Wren, the renowned English architect,  supervised the construction of the magnificent St Paul’s cathedral in London.   A journalist thought it would be interesting to interview some of the construction workers, so he chose three and asked them this question, “What are you doing?” Continue reading

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IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Faces Around the Cross: The Pathetic Pilate

PilateMax Lucado calls it “the most famous trial in history.”

And the Judge?  A man unqualified for the job.  His position was the result of the right connections.  And a fortuitous marriage to Claudia Proclua, whose father was Tiberius, the Roman Emperor.

So in A.D. 26 Pontus Pilate was appointed governor of Judea.  He was responsible for maintaining law and order in the raucous land filled with Jews that hated Rome.  He handed out justice. And collected taxes.

Historians describe him as tactless. Stubborn. Cruel.  Censorious. Demanding. Self-justifying.  Tyrannical.  And disrespectful of religion. Pilate was everything that Jesus wasn’t. Continue reading

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Some Reflections on Getting Older

Older Couple Sitting Together at BeachYesterday was my birthday.   And this annual event has occupied my thinking a little more than in past years.

I have fluctuated between competing emotions.  For instance I have felt a little like the baseball great Ty Cobb, who played in a different era.  He retired in 1928 at the age of 41 with a lifetime .367 batting average.  When he was 70 a reporter asked, “What do you think you’d hit if you were playing today?”  Continue reading

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