One of the serendipities of our current itinerant ministry is having some Sundays open when we’re traveling and being able to hear fellow preachers.
Not long ago we were visiting the West Citrus church in Crystal River and I heard Michael Lusk preach a sermon entitled “A Fly in the Ointment.” I’ve thought about that lesson ever since and today’s post draws its inspiration from my notes that day. Continue reading
Filed under character, Christian Living
“Some of the best public speaking we hear is at funerals,” posted my preaching and facebook friend , Warren Berkley, “It is storytelling from the eloquence of the heart. Nobody outlines the structure or critiques the delivery. We just listen.”
After watching most of the funeral service for President George H.W. Bush and hearing the eulogies, I have to say Warren was right.
The stories told by family, friends and colleagues were heartfelt, poignant, and often humorous. They spoke to the character of Mr. Bush. His gentleness. Kindness. Courage. Dignity. Decency. Loyalty. Honor. And grace under pressure. Continue reading
Freelance writer Dave Branon recalls the day when his wife called him at work and said, “Something’s going on next door. Lots of cars are there.”
“Because of my neighbor’s occupation,” Dave wrote, “I feared the worst, and soon those fears were realized. Our neighbor, policeman Trevor Slot, had just been killed in the line of duty, trying to stop the escape of two bank robbers. Our community was stunned.” Continue reading
“I’m on record as being a sore loser. I hate losing,” said quarterback Cam Newton. “You show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser.”
Newton shared his philosophy on losing to reporters Tuesday in response to his aborted press conference following a devastating loss in Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Newton pouted during the post game news conference, channeling his inner Bill Belichick, by giving petulant answers to reporters’ questions. After mumbling single, short answers to seven questions he abruptly walked away saying, “I don’t know what you want from me.” Continue reading
One Sunday a preacher took to the pulpit two jars and sat them on a table. They looked identical. “These jars,” he told the congregation, “came from the same factory. They were made of the same materials. And they hold the same amount of liquid. But they are different.” Continue reading
Filed under 2014 Top Posts, character
I was a 15-year-old kid beginning my Sophomore year when Dr. King gave his famous “I Have A Dream Speech. The civil rights movement hadn’t come to rural Indiana. We had no black neighbors. There were no black kids in my school. And no black families attended the church where we worshiped. Continue reading
Filed under character
The aftermath of the George Zimmerman murder trial in the death of 17-year-old Travyon Martin, has sparked renewed conversations regarding race relations in America.
Politicians, social activists and news commentators have all weighed in. And with varying viewpoints. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson’s opinions are markedly different from other well-known black men like Dr. Ben Carson and Juan Williams. President Obama has shared some of his personal experiences. And recently Bill O’Reilly has spoken passionately on this issue, calling out those he believes are “race-hustlers.” Continue reading
Filed under character
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Everyone recognizes this famous quote from Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech which was delivered 50 years ago this year.
On this national holiday, which was signed into law by President Reagan in 1986, that honors the slain civil rights leader, it’s good to think again about the value of character. Continue reading
Filed under character
A man who is charged with destroying a bar in a drunken brawl, appeared in court, “Sir, said the Judge, “What do you have to say for yourself?
“Your honor. I’m not guilty. My reputation in this community is spotless. My character is beyond reproach.
“Do you have any witnesses who can vouch for your character? asked the Judge.
The man pointed across the courtroom “The sheriff over there.”
The sheriff immediately jumped to his feet, “Your honor. That man’s a liar. I’ve never seen him before in my life!” Continue reading
Filed under character
Calvin Coolidge was right when he said, “We do not need more national development, we need more spiritual development. We do not need more intellectual power, we need more spiritual power. We do not need more knowledge, we need more character. We do not need more law, we need more religion. We do not need more of the things that are seen, we need more of the things that are unseen.”
Today’s post is the second of three regarding Christian character. Yesterday we covered the first three letters of our acrostic. https://thepreachersword.com/2012/10/22/qualities-of-christian-character/ Continue reading
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