In his book simply entitled, Preaching, G. Campbell Morgan relates a story about the 19th century English actor William Charles Macready and an eminent preacher of that day.
“I wish you would explain to me something,” said the preacher.
“Well, what is it?” Macready responded. “I don’t know that I can explain anything to a preacher.” Continue reading
Filed under Heart
R E S P E C T.
Those of my generation immediately think of the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, belting out these letters which became her signature song. It’s about a confident, young woman demanding respect from her man.
In her 1998 autobiography, Franklin said the lyrics “speak to anyone who feels unappreciated.”
A lack of respect has become an issue in all areas of life and in every relationship. It’s seen and felt in families, churches, communities, schools, social settings, and political positions. Continue reading
Filed under Heart
Having a heart for God requires a correct understanding of what the heart is. Too many are like little Jason on the first day of school.
The class was asked to stand, place their right hand over their heart and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The teacher, Mrs. Jones, watched the children as they began, “I pledge allegiance to the flag….” when she noticed Jason had his right hand over his left ear. She stopped and said, “Jason, put your hand over your heart.”
Jason replied, “It is over my heart!” Continue reading
“Having a Heart For God” is the theme of the VBS here at the Wellandport church in Ontario, Canada. It’s published by “Shaping Hearts.” And based on the life of King David the one who God said was “a man after MY own heart (1 Sam. 13:14; Ax. 13:22).
Since I’m teaching the adult class, I want to share some thoughts this week about this vital topic. Yesterday, we discussed a caring heart. Continue reading
Filed under Heart
This week I’m teaching the adult class for the Wellandport VBS. They’re using the Shaping Hearts for God Series, “Having a Heart For God.” It’s centered around the narrative of King David.
When you think of David, what qualities come to mind? Continue reading
Filed under Heart, Word of the Week
“Heart is used in Scripture as the most comprehensive term for the authentic person,” wrote Joseph Stowell in Fan the Flame.
“It is the part of our being where we desire, deliberate, and decide. It has been described as the place of conscious and decisive spiritual activity, the comprehensive term for a person as a whole; his feelings, desires, passions, thought, understanding and will, and the center of a person. The place to which God turns.” Continue reading
Filed under Heart
This morning I came across a short list by Edward Skidmore, written by his wife, Susan entitled “7 Ways To Rationalize Your Way To Ruin”
1. Everyone’s doing it.
2. I’ll just try it once.
3. It’s just a little lie.
4. No one ever needs to know. Continue reading
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John Eldridge tells a story in one of his books about a businessman who called his daughter and asked her to join him for dinner. She was surprised but delighted. For years she had longed for a closer relationship with her father, for his interest in her.
She met him at the appointed restaurant, and almost immediately after they were seated, he pulled out his Day-Timer and began to review the goals that he had set for her that year. “I wanted to burst into tears and run out of the restaurant,” she later related. Continue reading
In a facebook post yesterday my friend and preaching colleague, Doy Moyer opined that “Changing hearts is greater than changing laws, for when hearts are changed for the good, the laws won’t even be necessary.”
In the aftermath of continued gun violence in general and another school shooting in particular, cries are coming to “do something!” There is pressure on lawmakers to pass more gun laws to “keep this from ever happening again.” Continue reading
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Before we left on our anniversary trip, many cities and towns were engaged in removing various Confederate statues and flags in wake of the senseless and shameful events that occurred in Charlottesville, VA.
I joked to Norma Jean that the “Six Flags Over Texas” would have to change its name to “Five Flags.” Upon returning, I’ve learned that while they haven’t changed the name, the theme park has decided to remove all the flags and replace them with six American flags. Continue reading
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