After preaching the first lesson introducing his sermon series on “The Sins of the Saints,” a sister chastised the preacher as she left the building.
When he asked her why she was upset about the sermon, she replied, “The sins of Christians are different from other people.” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Isaac Watts was an 18th century English minister and hymn writer, who had become dissatisfied with the songs and quality of singing in British churches.
In his book, Then Sings My Soul, Robert J. Morgan credited Watts with ‘inventing” what he called “the English hymn.” Watts, however, had his critics, including minister Thomas Bradbury who called his songs “whims instead of hymns.” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder, Psalms
Several years ago the pollster, George Barna, wrote a book entitled “What Americans Believe.” It contained his annual survey of the values and religious views of our citizens.
Those interviewed were asked, “Do you agree strongly, agree somewhat, disagree somewhat, or disagree strongly with the following statement: There is no such thing as absolute truth; different people can define truth in conflicting ways and still be correct.” Continue reading
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Sunday our family visited the Skyview Church in Pinellas Park where Charles Murray serves as one of the pastors as well as a preacher.
His sermon text was from Psalm 136 on the topic of “Thanksgiving,” which is a wonderful passage for us to ponder prior to our American Thanksgiving Day. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder, Psalms
Bob Russell, a Kentucky preacher, recalls a class when his 5th grade Bible class teacher told about a King who was looking for a new chariot driver.
Three men sought the job and were taken up a winding mountain road to a dangerous precipice. As a test of their driving skills they were each asked, “How close could you drive your chariot to the edge of this cliff?”
The first replied, “I think I could bring the wheel of the chariot within six inches of the cliff.” Continue reading
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There’s an old saying regarding Biblical interpretation that “a text taken out of context is a pretext.” In other words, it speaks to the perils of proof texting, making the Bible say whatever you want it to mean.
In today’s passage (highlighted in Mark Robert’s 5 Day Bible Reading program this week) many have lifted verses from this section to apply them in ways Jesus never intended regarding the work of the Holy Spirit. Continue reading
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While revered and respected in history, Winston Churchill had his share of opposition as indicated by his personal and political enemies. However, he was the master of a witty rejoinder to his critics.
George Bernard Shaw once invited Churchill to the opening night of one of his plays. Shaw sent him two tickets with the note, “One for yourself and one for a friend–if you have one.” Continue reading
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Once asked about her handicap of being born both blind and mute, Helen Keller replied, “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.”
This quote reminds me of an observation by author and minister E. Paul Hovey who said, “A blind man’s world is bounded by the limits of his touch; an ignorant man’s world by the limits of his knowledge: a great man’s world by the limits of his vision.” Continue reading
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“The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts,” wrote A. W. Tozer, in The Pursuit of God.
“The primary purpose of reading the Bible,” opined James Merritt “is not to know the Bible but to know God.” Continue reading
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“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing,” opined Oscar Wilde the Irish poet, playwright, and novelist.
Since Wilde lived in the 19th century, I wonder what he would think today?
In an age of ethical relativism, moral degradation, and spiritual malaise, it almost seems as if everyone and everything has its price. But there are some things that are priceless. They have value beyond monetary measure. Beyond a price tag. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
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