I came across this quote the other day on a church web page.
‘The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.”
The quote was attributed to William Shakespeare. However, that doesn’t sound exactly like the type of thing he would writeth or sayeth. Yet, regardless of its source, the quote offers some wonderful life advice. Plus, it has a Biblical basis. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Ministry
Like most years 2023 has brought a mixture of joys and sorrows; smiles and tears; and success and failure. However, a balanced view regards the year as mainly one of joy, smiles, and success.
As most of our regular readers know we resigned from full time local work in 2018, but have not retired from preaching, teaching and writing. For almost 3 years we traveled full time, combining it with ministry opportunities. That period took us to 38 states, 10 countries, and 48 congregations.
It’s hard to believe but this coming February will be our 3 year anniversary of buying a home and living in Beverly Hills, Florida. We have, however, been blessed with a wonderful year of travel, as well as preaching and teaching opportunities. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Ministry
Norma Jean and I are spending a few days in the area of Bryson City, NC on the way to our annual October visit to Cobbly Nob near Cosby, TN in the Smoky Mountains.
We had planned to drive to Franklin to attend their Wednesday evening Bible Study, but unforeseen circumstances prevented it. So, we spent the evening reading 2 Corinthians.
There is so much to unpack and apply in these passages. How to deal with persecution, adversity, and physical suffering. Overcoming discouragement. What it means to walk by faith. How to excel in holiness. The spiritual warfare we fight. The importance of sacrificial giving. And the need to examine our faith. Continue reading
Filed under Ministry
“You’re not retired!” my wife, Norma Jean, exclaimed recently.
Her reaction was my response to her question, “What are you doing?”
“I’m working on a sermon series,” I replied.
I suppose in the traditional sense of retirement, I’m not. But if you define retirement as doing what you want to do, I am. I’m free from the typical demands of located church work. Free to schedule my Sunday’s and preach when and where I am able. Free to travel. And free, just to enjoy…well… some free time. Continue reading
Filed under Ministry
Too often in the wake of a natural disaster, like hurricane Ian, negative news takes center stage.
The disaster and damage by the hurricane’s force. The death toll. Price gouging. Looting. Petty crimes. Frayed nerves. And anxious, worried faces looking forlorn into the camera.
While these conditions exist, they should not overshadow the goodness of people, and the outpouring of humanitarian response to help the hurting. Continue reading
A ten-year-old girl, Valeria Yezhova, from Ukraine has recently made international headlines.
In an interview, her mother told reporters, “Valeria asked me how she could help the Ukrainian army. I asked her what she does best, [and] she replied that she is good at checkers.”
“Good” is actually an understatement. She’s the European and world champion in her age group Continue reading
“Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines,” once wrote Robert Schuller. Or as Henry J. Kaiser put it, “Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.
Of course, we don’t like problems. Either personal problems. Family problems or church problems. However, problems may provide an occasion for ministry, growth, and greater involvement.
Our passage today in Acts 6 provides instruction and insight on dealing with a church problem. Continue reading
Daniel Webster, the 19th-century statesman, and orator was known for his quick wit. The story’s told that his way with words was evidenced early in childhood.
One day Webster’s father, who was leaving on a short trip, left Daniel and his brother Ezekiel specific work instructions. But on his return, he found the task still undone, and questioned his sons about their idleness.
“What have you been doing, Ezekiel?” he asked. Continue reading
Filed under Ministry
“This has been the best year ever,” exclaimed my 6-year-old grandson, Miles, last Sunday after worship.
I doubt that many would echo his sentiment. However, I think little Miles was excited about his bounty of Christmas gifts this year. His narrow view of the world doesn’t extend too much beyond the immediate. His family. His school. And life in old Homosassa.
2020 has been unprecedented by the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. It has impacted our nation and world. And it has directly affected communities, businesses, families, and churches. Many believe it even influenced the outcome of our Presidential election. I’m sure most folks can’t wait for 2020 to be over. Continue reading
Filed under Ministry
I received an e-mail the other day from Platform University asserting that “the Age of Information has ended.”
The point of the article was that we now have access an to overwhelming amount of information. The excitement and euphoria have worn off. And now we’re filtering out the daily deluge of announcements, advertisements, offers, solicitations, and notifications.
What is needed today, the authors opine, are real experts who can understand the information, analyze it, and provide interpretation, insight, and application. Continue reading
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