There’s an old saying regarding Biblical interpretation that “a text taken out of context is a pretext.” In other words, it speaks to the perils of proof texting, making the Bible say whatever you want it to mean.
In today’s passage (highlighted in Mark Robert’s 5 Day Bible Reading program this week) many have lifted verses from this section to apply them in ways Jesus never intended regarding the work of the Holy Spirit. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Today, November 7th, according to the calendar of weird and wacky holidays, is observed as National Hug a Bear Day.
The calendar is quick to offer a disclaimer not to hug a real bear, but to hug a Teddy Bear. Why? Well, the history is rather interesting and traced back to the U. S. President Theodore Roosevelt. Continue reading
Filed under compassion, Friends
The late author and motivational speaker Charles E. “Tremendous” Jones tells a story in his book, Life is Tremendous, about a man who approached him following a speech with this question.
“Charles, do you think it’s possible for a person to be excited about his work, be thrilled and successful, and, three years later be sick and sorry he ever heard of the whole lousy mess?”
Jones wrote that he immediately thought here’s a person that didn’t know the law of use it or lose it. Continue reading
Filed under Sowing Seeds for Spiritual Growth
“Time passes slowly when you’re young, and quickens as you get old. Summer lasted forever when I was seven, but now it only visits,” opines author Sonya Hartnet.
With this weekly post we’re reminded of the rapid passing of time. It’s November. Thanksgiving will soon be here. Then before you know it, it’s Christmas. Then a new year. Lord willing. Also this is the day we set our clocks back 1 hour before we go to bed tonight. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
Matt Bassford recently passed away at the young age of 45 after battling the terrible disease of ALS.
Matt was a gospel preacher, an excellent writer, and an accomplished hymnist. Among them was “Exalted” a hymn often sung by our brethren. Matt touched our hearts with his posts regarding suffering, facing death, and his hope of heaven founded in his deep faith. Continue reading
Filed under facebook friday
“Everything an Indian does is in a circle,” said Black Elk, the Sioux religious leader. “Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood….”
This quote came to my attention as I was beginning a study of Ecclesiastes for my Wednesday night class. It speaks to the familiar phrase we often use like “life cycles,” or “circle of life,” or “going around in circles.” Continue reading
Filed under Life
While revered and respected in history, Winston Churchill had his share of opposition as indicated by his personal and political enemies. However, he was the master of a witty rejoinder to his critics.
George Bernard Shaw once invited Churchill to the opening night of one of his plays. Shaw sent him two tickets with the note, “One for yourself and one for a friend–if you have one.” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Recently the U.S. House of Representatives elected a new Speaker, Mike Johnson, from Louisiana.
Honestly, I had never heard of Johnson. Apparently this was true of many people, especially since the shocking news about his life and views mostly escaped the mainstream news until after his rise to Speaker. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
If you think your family has problems, consider the marriage mayhem created when 76-year-old Bill Baker of London wed Edna Harvey.
She happened to be his granddaughter’s husband’s mother. That’s where the confusion began, according to Baker’s granddaughter, Lynn. Continue reading
Filed under Sowing Seeds for Spiritual Growth
Greetings from The Great Smoky Mountains
We’ve been blessed with a wonderful week in the Smokies, enjoying the Fall foliage, some special R & R, and some good ole Tennessee food.
We’ve also enjoyed our fellowship with the Cosby church, where I will be preaching again tomorrow at their 11:00 AM worship service. If you’re vacationing in the Smoky Mountains, we recommend this church family as a wonderful place to worship. It’s an easy, and scenic, 15-20 minute drive east of Gatlinburg on 321. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
ThePreachersWord 