Author Archives: ThePreachersWord

Weekly Recap: October 7-11

 

Greetings from Beverly Hill, Florida

Where we live in Citrus Country, about 150 miles North of Sarasota and 75 miles North of Tampa,  you would never know that our coast has experienced two major hurricanes, both with devastating yet different affects, within the past two weeks.  It’s a reminder that it’s easy to be oblivious to the needs, problems, and challenges of others when you’re living in the sunshine.  However, TV, the internet, and social media portray all too well the destruction and accompanying suffering that others are enduring.

Our posts this week have offered our perspective as we have faced the storm, as well as encouragement for us to seek and seize opportunities to do good and serve those who need help the most. Continue reading

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A Silver Lining Through the Storm

It’s an understatement to say that it has been a crazy time here on the West Coast of Florida the past 2-3 weeks.

First, there was Hurricane Helene. Then Hurricane Milton. Each brought their own set of dire predications and ultimate challenges. In addition to the helpful knowledge we gathered in tracking the path of the Hurricanes and staying alert to warnings, was encouragement we received from friends and brethren on social media. Continue reading

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How To Cope With Compassion Fatigue

I was reading a piece yesterday where the author was recounting the impact that so many crises and disasters were having on our psyche.

Russian President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine continues with destruction and loss of life. Israel is fighting wars on two fronts with Hezbollah and Hamas, who are actually proxies for Iran. Just two weeks after the devastation of Hurricane Helene that ravaged not only Florida, but Georgia, Tennessee, and especially North Carolina, we’re facing another monster storm, Milton, which will have hit the Gulf coast by the time you read this. Continue reading

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1 Peter 1:3-5: A Living Hope

In his book, Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life…and Maybe the World, Admiral William H. McRaven shares what he learned during Navy SEAL training in order to live a better life

“Hope is the most powerful force in the universe.” Continue reading

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The Calm Before the Storm

As I sit here sipping a cup of hot coffee in the early morning darkness, it is peaceful, calm, and quiet. No wind. No rain. A pleasant 70 degrees.

But…

We know it is just the calm before the storm. Continue reading

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Commitment is Fundamental

Though skeptical of his teenage son’s newfound determination to build bulging muscles, one father followed his teenager to the store’s weight-lifting department, where they admired a set of weights.

“Please, Dad,” pleaded the teen, “I promise I’ll use ’em every day.”

“I don’t know, Michael. It’s really a commitment on your part,” the father said.

“Please, Dad?” Continue reading

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Weekly Recap: September 30-October 4

Greetings from Beverly Hills, FL

In case you missed a post this week, today’s blog is actually a recap of the past week’s posts with its live links.

It’s an easy way to catch up. Plus I encourage you to share it with your friends, relatives, and brethren either on social media or via email.  It’s a good way to introduce them to ThePreachersWord.  Also there’s  a bonus post at the bottom from 6 years ago. Continue reading

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How Strange Are You?

A few weeks ago my friend and preaching colleague, Leland Ping who lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, posted a short piece on his facebook page that is worthy of your consideration. Continue reading

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Is Recreation a Work of the Church?

With so many churches providing, promoting, and sponsoring recreational activities both for its members and non-members, this is a fair question to ask: “Is recreation a work of the church?”

Apparently a Michigan appeals court doesn’t think so. In a recent ruling the court states that “a multisite Evangelical church in Michigan cannot be exempt from paying taxes on a property meant to serve as a retreat and recreation space,” as reported by The Christian Post. Continue reading

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James 1:12-16: Fishing and Phishing

Author John Ortberg wrote in “The Me I Want to Be” the time he and his wife went fly fishing for the first time.’

Ortberg said the guides told us that “to catch a fish you have to think like a fish.” They said that to a fish life is about the maximum gratification of appetite at the minimum expenditure of energy. To a fish, life is “see a fly, want a fly, eat a fly.”

“A rainbow trout never really reflects on where his life is headed. A girl carp rarely says to a boy carp, I don’t feel you’re as committed to our relationship as I am. I wonder, do you love me for me or just for my body? The fish are just a collection of appetites. A fish is a stomach, a mouth, and a pair of eyes.” Continue reading

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