“How did Noah find grace in the eyes of God?” asked the guest speaker, Rufus, at the Kona church Sunday morning.
It’s an intriguing question considering the sorry state of the world in Noah’s day.
The Bible says, “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
It’s been one month since the raging wild fires completely destroyed the historical town Lahania on the island of Maui.
As is the case with any disaster, this tragic event has elicited heart felt compassion from people who genuinely desire to help those in need.
Before any government aid began, we heard about the people on the neighboring island of Moloka‘i who began sending boat loads of food, water and basic necessities to their neighbors. One store owner related seeing impoverished people donating what little they had because they cared.
Just yesterday while on Kauai, I learned about the story of 5 year old Edison Juel. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Aloha!
That’s the typical greeting here in Hawaii, where we’ve been celebrating our 55th anniversary.
Currently we’re visiting the island of Molokai. But prior to leaving Oahu, I noticed people walking around Waikiki wearing bright green shirts that read “Aloha Ambassador.”
I learned these men and women were employed to greet people, provide information, and assistance to visitors on the island. Furthermore, they were to extend Aloha to everyone they met. Continue reading
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In the aftermath of the wild fires that have destroyed the town of Lahaina on the Island of Maui and left incredible devastation, destruction, and death, there are emerging stories of a hurting community rising up to help each other.
Will Cain recently reported on his podcast one such story about two women Andrea Fausett and Ciera Leavitt. Continue reading
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Today is “National Failures Day,” according to the calendar of weird and wacky holidays.
This day began in 2010 when “some university students in Finland got together and decided they needed to set a date to officially commemorate life’s failures.”
Before you brush it off as ridiculous, their web page makes the point that everyone has experienced failure in life. For instance… Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Failure
Norma Jean and I are blessed to have hosted Ray and Bonnie Pringle who are visiting from South Africa. Ray is a preacher and is in the US visiting churches who support his ministry.
We had never met the Pringles until they arrived at our home yesterday. We quickly connected and enjoyed getting to know them and hearing stories of their travels in the US and their work in South Africa. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Fellowship
The problem of loneliness has made news headlines lately. From CNN to NBC to FNC, it’s reported that loneliness is now a national epidemic.
Surgeon General, Vivek H. Murthy, has released an official government 81 page report calling for “a national framework to rebuild social connection and community in America.”
It is ironic that in an age of social media connection, so many are actually disconnected from real life relationships. You can live in a large community, but feel lonely. You can attend a big church, but feel alone. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Relationships
Have you ever wondered what Jesus would do in modern day situations?
If Jesus lived now, what would be His response to current issues regarding abortion? Same sex marriage? Gender Identity?
Well, your wait is over. Now with Artificial Intelligence (AI), we can know what Jesus would say. Maybe. Or maybe not. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Heart
Yesterday on the Denison Forum, this post appeared on his daily article: “Why I refuse to see “Oppenheimer”—and you should, too”.
I had heard about the Christopher Nolan movie and its impressive weekend opening against “Barbie”, grossing $80.5 million dollars. It’s about the life of the brilliant scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer who helped create the first atomic bomb.
Although Norma Jean and I don’t attend movies as often as we once did, Denison’s post assured me that we won’t be seeing this one. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
On this day in history, July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong, an American astronaut, became the first human being to walk on the surface of the moon.
Norma Jean and I had only been married 11 months. But I remember it like it was yesterday. I had an out of town preaching appointment in North Florida. But we returned to our little apartment on Bearss Avenue in Tampa, Florida, just in time. Turned on our little black and white TV and watched in amazement Continue reading
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ThePreachersWord 