Category Archives: Passage To Ponder

August 10, 2022 · 7:16 am

Matthew 17:1-8

Mountain top experiences. They are special. Both literally. And figuratively.

Norma Jean and I enjoy the mountains. We honeymooned in the Smoky Mountains and have been to the top of Clingman’s Dome many times, where on a clear day you can see 7 states. We’ve also marveled at the majesty of the Rocky Mountains and enjoyed the view from over 11,000 ft on the Continental Divide. And we’ve been blessed to enjoy the beauty and the break-taking view from Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii.

However, all of our experiences pale in comparison to the mountain top experience of Peter, James, and John when they stood on the mountain with Jesus in Matthew 17. Continue reading →

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August 3, 2022 · 4:01 am

Matthew 18:1-5

Sitting here in the breakfast room (before it opens) of a Hampton Inn in the early morning hours, I hear the voices of little children ringing in my ears.

No. There’s no one else in here. I’m alone. But the voices I hear are the children from last week’s Wellandport VBS just singing their little hearts out.

“Oh, how I love Jesus…”

“I’ve got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart…” Continue reading →

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July 20, 2022 · 6:17 am

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Patsy Clairmont, the author of God Uses Cracked Pots, shares a true story about her son, Jason. When he was seven, she sent him off to school one day. After a little while, there was a knock at the door and when Patsy opened the door, it was Jason.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I’ve quit school,” he said.

“Why have you quit school, Jason?” she demanded. Continue reading →

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July 13, 2022 · 7:10 am

Psalm 20:7

According to a recent poll, 65% of Democrats distrust newspapers, and 80% distrust TV news.

Among Republicans, their trust level is even lower with only 5% saying they had “a great deal or quite a lot of confidence” in newspapers, and only 8% trusted the TV news.

Lack of confidence has fallen in the past 12-18 months according to Gallup polling in all our American institutions. Police. The medical community. Churches and organized religion. Congress. The Supreme Court. And the Presidency. Continue reading →

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July 6, 2022 · 6:26 am

A Passage To Ponder: Psalm 1

There’s a 1970s song, “Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool Ya,” released by the late Wilson Pickett, and later performed and recorded by a number of pop and country artists. The opening lines go like this.

Girl, try to remember when we didn’t have no shoes
We stuck together, just me and you
It took a long time to get what we got today
Now you wanna give it all up for another guy Continue reading →

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June 29, 2022 · 7:05 am

A Passage To Ponder: Matthew 6:1-8

An older man was walking on the beach and found a lamp. Instinctively he rubbed it, and to his surprise, a genie appeared.

“Because you have freed me,” the genie said, “I will grant you one wish.”

The man thought for a moment and then responded, “My brother and I had a fight 30 years ago and he hasn’t spoken to me since. I wish that he would finally forgive me.”

There was a thunderclap, and the genie declared, “Your wish has been granted.” Continue reading →

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June 22, 2022 · 6:07 am

1 John 4:7-8

This month I’m speaking on a summer series at the Cornerstone Church in Centerville, Ohio, on the theme “Tough Questions on the Existence of God.”

Last night I spoke on “How Do I Connect With God?” I pointed out that sometimes our connection with God is short-circuited. One of the ways this may happen is by an unscriptural attitude about our relationship. Continue reading →

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June 15, 2022 · 5:35 am

Deuteronomy 6:5-9

Something happened last week in the White House press room that doesn’t happen very often. Maybe never. A bible verse was read.

Actor Matthew McConaughey spoke passionately from the podium urging Congress to address the issue of gun violence in our country. In doing so, he cited a story of one of the young victims from his hometown, Uvalde, Texas.

McConaughey told about 10-year-old Ellie Garcia, who had been preparing to read a Bible verse to her Wednesday night Bible class. Tragically, Ellie never got to read it. Take a moment to read and think about it. Continue reading →

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June 8, 2022 · 6:35 am

Psalm 144

“A Song to the Lord Who Preserves and Prospers His People,” is the heading in my Bible to this Psalm.

However, have you ever wondered in times of affliction, adversity, and sorrow, “where is the Lord?”

Have you ever felt so vulnerable, defenseless, and unsafe that you didn’t feel protected?

Have you ever suffered through periods of failure, loss, or poverty that prosperity seemed like a far distant, unrealistic dream? Continue reading →

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June 1, 2022 · 1:06 am

1 Chronicles 28:9-20

If you knew that you were nearing the end of your life, what advice would you want to share with your son or daughter?

What wisdom would you impart to your loved ones?

What challenge or charge would you issue your family to carry out following your demise? Continue reading →

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