Several years ago the cable television mogul Ted Turner spoke at a banquet in Orlando where he was given an award by the American Humanist Association. During his acceptance speech, he criticized fundamentalist Christianity.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Turner saying that Jesus would probably “be sick at his stomach” over the way his ideas have been “twisted.” Continue reading
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“The most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not,” wrote Thomas L. Huxley.
“It is the first lesson, “Huxley opined, “that ought to be learned and however early a person’s training begins, it is probably the last lesson a person learns thoroughly.”
This week we’re writing about our 2021 theme: “Reaching Forward.” It’s based on this text, written from a Roman prison toward the end of Paul’s life. Continue reading
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“Some of the world’s greatest men and women have been saddled with disabilities and adversities but have managed to overcome them,” observed author and evangelical leader Ted W. Engstrom
Engstrom offered these illustrations to prove his point.
“Cripple him, and you have a Sir Walter Scott.”
“Lock him in a prison cell, and you have a John Bunyan.”
“Bury him in the snows of Valley Forge, and you have a George Washington.” Continue reading
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The late, great Hall of Fame New York Yankee catcher, Yogi Berra, was famous not only for his on the field heroics, but his funny off the field quips, which came to be known as Yogi-isms.
He once responded about his witticisms, “I never said most of the things I said.”
After a game, when he was asked about going to a certain restaurant, Yogi responded, “Nobody goes to that restaurant anymore — it’s too crowded.”
Here are a few more. Continue reading
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Author and minister, Bill Hybels, was once talking with one of his members about some of the “tough topics” he had taught through the years.
Among the difficult lessons he mentioned were hell, money, sex, relational confrontation, and self-discipline.
The member then asked, “Of all the topics you’ve preached on, which has been the hardest to get across?” Continue reading
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This year one of my Christmas presents was a book written by Dr. David Jeremiah entitled “Forward” with the subtitle “Discovering God’s Presence and Purpose in Your Tomorrow.”
The first thing I do when I receive a new book is look at the table of contents. Then I read the author’s introduction. When I did that, I thought of two things: Continue reading
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We are taking our annual holiday blogging break, and reposting the top 10 blogs for 2020 based on reader views. The one came in at #10 and obviously is still very timely on this day with current COVID situations in many states.
This question raised today reminds me of the old joke about the politician who was asked by a reporter his position on a particular issue.
“Well, there are two ways to look at it,” he responded. Then launched into a lengthy explanation of both views, giving both the pros and cons of the respective positions. He concluded by saying he had friends on both sides of the question.
“But what’s your position?” the reporter pressed.
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“To mask or not to mask,” that is the question of our time. Not just in society in general, but among Christians and church attendees.
In the past 8 months, we’ve worshiped with 14 different congregations in 9 different states. Each one has approached wearing masks in worship differently. Some churches requested everyone wear a mask. Others didn’t, and very few wore masks. In some places, it was suggested, but not required. In one church there were masks and no masks sections.
To all Christians everywhere we suggest, “Take off your masks.” Continue reading
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It was 79 years ago today, December 7, 1941, early on Sunday morning that a Japanese dive bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings suddenly appeared out of the clouds above the Hawaiian Island of Oahu.
What followed was 360 Japanese warplanes that attacked our naval and air base at Pearl Harbor. When the raid was completed our Pacific fleet was devastated. 2400 Americans were killed. 1200 were wounded. More than 200 of our aircraft were destroyed. 5 battleships, 3 destroyers, and 8 other ships were either sunk or severely damaged. Continue reading
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On the final day of our Thanksgiving blogging break, here’s a reblogged post from 5 years ago on this day. May this short seed thought germinate in your heart.
“Jesus never begged anyone to believe in Him. He knew that integrity cannot be proven; it must be discerned,” wrote Mike Murdock.
“He never wasted time with critics. He kept his attention on His goal. He stayed focused. They accused Jesus of being filled with devils! He paid no attention. He simply continued to cast out devils. Jesus never strived to ‘look good.’ He simply was good. He did not labor to appear truthful. He was truthful. He never struggled to have a good reputation. He had character.”
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