“You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely,” once quipped the humorist and American poet Ogden Nash.
I suppose there’s something attractive about the Peter Pan mentality of enjoying the carefree life of childhood, never growing up, and avoiding adulting. Continue reading
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“Flourishing” is apparently becoming a buzz word and a very important concept today in psychological circles.
“The psychology community calls this lofty combination of physical, mental and emotional fitness ‘flourishing.’ It is the exact opposite of languishing, that sense of stagnation,” Adam Grant wrote in The New York Times. Continue reading
Filed under Sowing Seeds for Spiritual Growth
Methuselah is said to be alive and flourishing. No, not the ancient antediluvian in Genesis, but a date palm tree grown from a 2,000 year old seed.
According to Smithsonian Magazine, as well as National Geographic, the antique seed was discovered at the remains of Masada, an ancient fortification perched on a rock plateau in southern Israel.
The seed was planted and has grown into a flourishing tree. A 2022 article in The Jerusalem Post says Methuselah (pictured above) is now 4 meters tall. Also it has pollinated a female tree and is producing dates. Continue reading
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For about 20 years during my full time ministry with churches I was privileged to have summer interns working with us who wanted to be gospel preachers.
These were invaluable opportunities for young men to learn how to research, outline sermons, produce class material, write articles, develop relationships, partner with the Shepherds, address important issues, solve problems, and grow spiritually. Years later, we continue to have a good relationship with many of these men who consider me as a mentor. Continue reading
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Last week the colorful and controversial Hall of Fame basketball coach, Bob Knight passed away.
While Knight’s coaching methods were sometimes questioned and his behavior was too often crude and boorish, his genius in teaching the game of basketball and preparing his teams, can hardly be questioned even by the harshest of critics. Continue reading
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The late author and motivational speaker Charles E. “Tremendous” Jones tells a story in his book, Life is Tremendous, about a man who approached him following a speech with this question.
“Charles, do you think it’s possible for a person to be excited about his work, be thrilled and successful, and, three years later be sick and sorry he ever heard of the whole lousy mess?”
Jones wrote that he immediately thought here’s a person that didn’t know the law of use it or lose it. Continue reading
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If you think your family has problems, consider the marriage mayhem created when 76-year-old Bill Baker of London wed Edna Harvey.
She happened to be his granddaughter’s husband’s mother. That’s where the confusion began, according to Baker’s granddaughter, Lynn. Continue reading
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In the Peanuts comic strip, we find Snoopy lying down, looking forlorn, and thinking to himself.
In the first frame he thinks, “Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog.”
In the second frame he thinks, Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog.
In the third frame, he walks away with a sigh. Continue reading
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Ferdinand “Waldo” Demara, Jr. (1921-1982) became known as “The Great Imposter.”
A Time.com article reports that “Demara worked as a civil engineer, a zoology graduate, a doctor of applied psychology, a monk on two separate occasions (Trappist and Benedictine), an assistant warden at a Texas prison, philosophy dean at a Pennsylvania college, a hospital orderly, a lawyer and a teacher — among other professions.” Continue reading
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“Begin with the end in mind,” wrote Stephen Covey in his best selling book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
The concept behind Law #2 is having a clear picture of what success looks like. Of understanding your destination. Of visualizing where you will be and what your life will look like.
Spiritual growth can be best understood and visualized by looking at the life of Jesus. After all, discipleship is all about becoming like Christ. Following his footsteps. And being conformed to His image. Continue reading
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ThePreachersWord 