For the past several weeks, I have been teaching a Wednesday night class on the book of Ecclesiastes.
The Preacher in Ecclesiastes searched for what is good in life. For true happiness. And ultimate satisfaction. He pursued pleasure. Possessions. Wealth. And wisdom. Yet, all of these were fleeting. And found wanting. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Passage To Ponder
Today is Wednesday. It’s the day of my Rotary Club meeting. Every week we begin by reciting the 4-way test which was written in the 1930’s by a businessman and Rotary International President, Herbert J. Taylor.
This 24 word test is designed to promote high ethical standards in the business and professional lives of its members. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Today’s text reminds us of the popular hymn penned by Julia H. Johnston (1849-1919), “Grace Greater Than Our Sin.”
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured–
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt {shed}
In Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul takes them (and us) from the depths of despair and Satan’s snare to the heights of greater hope and infinite glory. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
It may have been one of the most impressive funeral processions of all antiquity. There were chariots and horseman. There were the servants of Pharaoh, the elders of his house, and all the elders of the land of Egypt. All of the house of Joseph, and Joseph’s brethren, and his father’s house, except for the small children. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
“Money is in some respects like fire;” once quipped, P. T. Barnum. “It is a very excellent servant, but a terrible master.”
Indeed many have been burned by an inordinate love of money. By their greed. Their selfishness. Their pride. And by their hard-heartedness.
While most preachers don’t relish the idea of talking about money or addressing the issue of giving, the Bible says a good bit about our attitude toward money. And the proper use of money Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Remember the Ukrainian born comedian Yakov Smirnoff who began his career in Russia, then migrated to the United States? He’s actually still performing in Branson.
When Smirnoff first came to the US he said that he was not prepared for the incredible variety of instant products available in grocery stores. “On my first shopping trip, I saw powered milk. You just add water, and you get milk.” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Did you receive any Christmas cards this year? Did you send any? Regardless, you’ll chuckle at this story.
Waiting until the last minute to send cards to 49 of her friends, a woman rushed into Wal-Mart picked up a pack of 50 cards with a cheery “Merry Christmas” greeting.
In her haste to get them mailed, she hurriedly signed the cards without closely reading the message inside. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder, Psalms
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
Filed under Passage To Ponder
ThePreachersWord 