The 18th century Prussian king Frederick the Great was widely known as an agnostic. By contrast, General Von Zealand, one of his most trusted officers, was a devout Believer in Christ.
The story’s told that during a festive gathering the king began making crude jokes about Christ until everyone was rocking with laughter–all but Von Zealand. Finally, he arose and addressed the king with this retort. Continue reading
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Ben Pickman tells the story in Sports Illustrated of Herb Turetzky who attended the New Jersey Americans’ first-ever ABA game in October 1967 expecting to be just a spectator.
Turetzky, a student at LIU Brooklyn, arrived early at the Teaneck Armory. Max Zaslofsky, the Americans’ coach and GM who had attended the same high school as Turetzky, greeted him as he walked in, “Herb, can you help us out and keep score of the game tonight?”
Turetzky responded, “Max, I’d love to. I’m here, so why not?” Continue reading
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“We are told this is the Knowledge Economy. The Information Age,” observes author Anthony Delaney. Then he asks, “But where is wisdom to be found?”
Delaney says he decided to google the question, “Where is wisdom to be found.” Continue reading
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“Zeal without knowledge is like fire without a grate to contain it; like a sword without a hilt to wield it by; like a high-bred horse without a bridle to guide him,” wrote Julias Bates in Forbes Magazine.
Bates’ further opines that zeal without knowledge, “speaks without thinking, acts without planning, seeks to accomplish a good end without the adoption of becoming means.”
This is reminiscent of an old saying, “Fire in the fireplace warms the house, but fire on the carpet burns the house down.” Continue reading
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“Zeal is essential to success,” advised the 19th century British preacher Charles Spurgeon. In a sermon he once offered this observation.
“Brethren, we would not condemn the use of zeal in the common affairs of life, for zeal is essential to success; we only wish that Christians would take copy from worldly men and be half as earnest and half as ambitions to maintain and increase the kingdom of their Lord and Master, as some men are after petty trifles or selfish aggrandizements.” Continue reading
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“How is it that you know Christ in such a personal way and I don’t?” A student asked his Bible professor.
“Maybe you only know Jesus as the forgiver of your sins,” replied the prof.
This story told by Bill Hybels in his book, The God You’re Looking For, continued as the professor explained what it meant to enjoy a relationship with the Lord. Continue reading
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I typed in google search “measure of our spiritual zeal. The AI overview offered this response.
“A person’s “spiritual zeal” can be measured by the level of passion, dedication, and active effort they demonstrate in their spiritual practice, often reflected through consistent acts of service, prayer, study, and a genuine desire to share their faith with others, essentially gauging how deeply committed they are to their spiritual life through their actions rather than just intentions.” Continue reading
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“It is not scientific doubt, not atheism, not pantheism, not agnosticism that in our day and in this land is likely to quench the light of the gospel,” wrote Francis Chan in his book Crazy Love. “”It is a proud, sensuous, selfish, luxurious, church going, hollow-hearted prosperity.” Continue reading
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Dan Adkins tells a story about the meeting house of a village church catching on fire.
It was after mid-night and the building was going up in flames. A large crowd had gathered. As the preacher pulled into the parking lot, seeing many in the community who had never been to church, he walked to the front of the crowd and his voice thundered. Continue reading
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“Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark,” penned the 19th century Swiss poet and philosopher Henri-Frédéric Amiel.
Nothing worthwhile in life is achieved without passion. This is true in sports, education, business and it’s true spiritually. Our theme this year, Be Zealous: Igniting Your Spiritual Passion” is dedicated to exploring how to build, grow, and maintain our zeal for “the things of God.” Continue reading
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