Recently I heard my good friend, Steve McAllister, who preaches at Northside Church in Pompano Beach present a lesson on spiritual growth. At the conclusion of his lesson, he quickly made a point that not all growth is good. Then bulleted some passages proving that point.
Coincidently, yesterday’s post was about growth. When I heard Steve’s concluding points, I decided to follow up my post, “Growth is Fundamental” with this idea. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Growth
Charles Simpson tells a story about meeting a young man who dives for exotic fish for aquariums.
The young man said one of the most popular aquarium fish is the shark. He explained that if you catch a small shark and confine it, it will stay a size proportionate to the aquarium. Sharks can be six inches long yet fully matured. But if you turn them loose in the ocean, they grow to their normal length of eight feet. Continue reading
Filed under Growth
Last night during the Alabama-Clemson national championship football game, there were some clever commercials. But the most amusing was AT&T’s ad with the catchphrase “Just Ok is not OK.”
The ads depict various situations where settling for ok is unacceptable. One shows a man in a hospital bed waiting for surgery. While his anxious wife looks on, she asks the nurse about the doctor and she responds, “He’s ok.”
In another scene, an artist tells a man getting his first tattoo that he’s “one of the tattoo artists in the city” and that the result is going to look “OK.” Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living, Growth
Our Wednesday night the adult class where I preach at West Main is studying Peter’s epistles and is being taught very ably by one of our young men, Zach Kelsey.
Last night we were covering the text in 2 Peter 1:12-15 where Peter said that it was important to remind his readers of the Truth, although they knew it and were established in it. After discussing why that is necessary, Zach asked, “What are some ways in which we can be reminded of the Truth?’ Continue reading
Filed under Growth
Tuesday night Norma Jean and I enjoyed a Royals baseball game at Kaufman Stadium (known as “The K” to the locals). It was a fun game with filled with offense in an 8-6 Royals win over the Detroit Tigers.
The World Champion Royals are off to a to a respectable 9-5 start. Good enough for second place in the American League Central Division behind the White Sox. Continue reading
Filed under Growth
A friend of mine from Florida, Pat Weinmann, posted the above photo on my facebook page. I clicked and it has been shared 34,000 times and liked by more than 9,000 people. So, it definitely resonated with many viewers.
I appreciate Pat sharing it. And the message is accurate. A successful 30 minute sermon is preceded by hours of research, reading, prayer and study. In fact, it is often the cumulation of years of preparation that result in the presentation. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Growth
Last night I ended a very enjoyable meeting with the brethren in Anderson, Indiana. They are served by three good men who Shepherd the flock, including Carl (Mac) McMurray who also ministers in the Word.
The attendance was good. The singing was inspiring. The fellowship was warm and friendly. And the brethren were very receptive to the Word. It was the kind of meeting that every preacher enjoys. I’m sure I received as much, if not more, encouragement than I gave. Continue reading
The late author Eda LeShan became noted for the “lobster story” reprinted in magazines, books and blogs through the years. I recently came across it again and was challenged by its truth and simplicity.
LeShan tells about attending a dinner party and being seated next to an Oceanographer. She wondered, what will we talk about? Almost immediately the gentleman turned ask her, “Do you know how a lobster is able to grow bigger when its shell is so hard?” Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses, Growth
Norma Jean and I are in Florida for Thanksgiving. Last night we went grocery shopping, laying in food for our stay and for the big day on Thursday! When we came to the meat section, she found a turkey and said “Do you think it’s big enough?” I agreed that it was. But it reminded me of this story. Continue reading
Filed under Growth
There are several memorable lines in the classic movie, Forrest Gump.
There is often quoted, “My momma always said, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
Then the insightful, “My Mama always said you’ve got to put the past behind you before you can move on.
I like Mrs. Gump’s observation, “You have to do the best with what God gave you.”
But then there is a poignant scene between Jenny and Forrest. Continue reading
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