Ferdinand “Waldo” Demara, Jr. (1921-1982) became known as “The Great Imposter.”
A Time.com article reports that “Demara worked as a civil engineer, a zoology graduate, a doctor of applied psychology, a monk on two separate occasions (Trappist and Benedictine), an assistant warden at a Texas prison, philosophy dean at a Pennsylvania college, a hospital orderly, a lawyer and a teacher — among other professions.” Continue reading
Filed under Sowing Seeds for Spiritual Growth
Greetings from Martinsville, VA
Norma Jean and I are enjoying the Fall weather and the hospitality of the brethren at the Chatham Heights church while I’m conducting a gospel meeting here.
It’s been good to reconnect with an old friend from Plainfield, Indiana, John Berlin, who recently retired from full-time preaching, as well as make a new friend, their current preacher, Eric Bridge. The meeting has been well-attended and the interest in the lessons is very encouraging. We appreciate the opportunity to share the Word and the kindness of these good brethren. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
My facebook friend from Bowling Green, Kentucky, Louis Cook, shared this piece and thought provoking question, “How much of your heart belongs to God?
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!” (Ps. 119:12) Continue reading
Filed under facebook friday
Today is National Free Thought Day, according to the calendar of unusual holidays.
This holiday was created by several different groups including the Secular Coalition For America, the Freethought Society, and the American Humanist Association. It’s observed every year on October 12th. And “encourages people to gather their facts from trusted sources and make their decisions based on reason, logic, and science.” Continue reading
“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing,” opined Oscar Wilde the Irish poet, playwright, and novelist.
Since Wilde lived in the 19th century, I wonder what he would think today?
In an age of ethical relativism, moral degradation, and spiritual malaise, it almost seems as if everyone and everything has its price. But there are some things that are priceless. They have value beyond monetary measure. Beyond a price tag. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
This morning I have a case of the “blahs.”
You know what I mean?
You feel uninspired. Unimaginative. Unmotivated. It’s sort of a bland, humdrum type of feeling. Not discouraged. But not excited. Continue reading
Filed under Encouragement, Feelings
“Begin with the end in mind,” wrote Stephen Covey in his best selling book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
The concept behind Law #2 is having a clear picture of what success looks like. Of understanding your destination. Of visualizing where you will be and what your life will look like.
Spiritual growth can be best understood and visualized by looking at the life of Jesus. After all, discipleship is all about becoming like Christ. Following his footsteps. And being conformed to His image. Continue reading
Filed under Sowing Seeds for Spiritual Growth
Greetings from Beverly Hills, FL
Fall weather is supposedly coming to Florida this weekend. Here that means upper 70’s to 80 for the high. And upper 50’s to low 60’s for the low. But we’re ready for some real Fall weather, so we’re heading North.
After preaching at West Citrus tomorrow, we’re leaving Monday for a meeting in Martinsville, VA at the Chatham Heights Church, which begins Wednesday and runs through Sunday (Oct. 11-15). It’s our first time there. So, we’re looking forward to making new friends.
Then we’re headed to the Smoky Mountains where I will be preaching the following two Sundays at the Cosby Church. If you are in driving distance of either of these churches, we’d love to see you. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
A few weeks ago my facebook friend and preaching colleague, Doy Moyer, posted a wonderful piece about grace.
His article was based on God’s response to Paul “my grace is sufficient for you.” This was His answer to Paul’s sincere plea for the removal of his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7-10).
Doy observed that God’s grace would provide Paul what he needed to accomplish His will. Indeed, as Doy points out, “The sufficiency of the Lord’s grace is difficult to grasp, yet it is a concept that the child of God must accept.” Continue reading
Filed under facebook friday
Recently I read a fascinating book, Same Kind of Different As Me, co-authored by Ron Hall a wealthy upscale art dealer and Denver Moore, a homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual poverty.
At the center of the story was Ron’s wife, Debbie, who had a heart for the homeless. And how her persistence and compassion continues to make a difference to thousands of people in the inner city.
As a sub plot to the story was the relationship between Ron and Debbie. At one point in their marriage they began drifting apart. In Ron’s words they were “an affluent Christian couple who had faked it for about five years.” During this time he was unfaithful to Debbie twice while traveling on business. Continue reading
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