“Consistency is hard work,” says a Tennessee preacher, Matthew Morine.
He illustrated this principle in his efforts to exercise regularly. He gets up every morning at 6:00 A.M. and goes to the gym. Matthew says that going once or twice a week is not enough. “The key in working out is consistency.”
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Readers Digest once shared a story about the time Henry Ford hired an efficiency expert to evaluate his company. After a few weeks, the expert made his report, which was highly favorable except for one thing.
“It’s that man down the hall,” said the expert. “Every time I go by his office he’s just sitting there with his feet on his desk. He’s wasting your money.” Continue reading
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“Something in human nature tempts us to stay where we’re comfortable,” wrote the late Fred Smith, a Dallas businessman and board member of Christianity Today.
In an article in Leadership Magazine Smith wrote about “Training to Reach the Top.” The theme and thesis of his article spoke to the importance of personal growth, getting out of one’s comfort zone and development in the business world, especially for those in leadership positions. Continue reading
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When I was a student at Florida College back in the mid to late 60’s, Homer Hailey was one of my Bible professors.
Brother Hailey was known for his expertise in the Old Testament, his insight into the book of Revelation, and his ability to quote scripture, as well as his class on “The Scheme of Redemption.” I can recall classes where he would fill a blackboard with scriptural references, quoting each one. Continue reading
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“Jesus took Daddy home,” Cheryl McGuinness told her 14-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter.
The news that their father, Tom, had died was not only unexpected, but was tragic and publicly known world-wide.
Tom McGuinness Jr. was the first officer on American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Continue reading
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The poet, playwright, and author, Oscar Wilde, struggled with religion throughout his adult life. While he acknowledged belief in Catholicism, he lived a decadent, epicurean life as a pagan.
In his commentary on Ephesians, William Barclay quotes Wilde as saying, “The gods had given me almost everything. But I let myself be lured into long spells of senseless and sensual ease…”
Wilde then continues with this somber introspective reflection about his life. Continue reading
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“There is a theory of human behavior that says people subconsciously retard their own intellectual growth,” wrote author and business consultant Philip B. Crosby. “They come to rely on cliches and habits.”
Crosby further opined, “Once they reach the age of their own personal comfort with the world, they stop learning and their mind runs on idle for the rest of their days. They may progress organizationally, they may be ambitious and eager, they may even work night and day. But they learn no more.” Continue reading
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Athanasius, of Alexandria, was a 3rd century theologian who fearlessly opposed the teachings of Arius, who declared that Christ was not the eternal Son of God, but a subordinate being.
After being hounded through five exiles, Athanasius was finally summoned before emperor Theodosius, who demanded he cease his opposition to Arius. The emperor reproved him and asked, “Do you not realize that all the world is against you?” To which Athanasius quickly replied….
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Discernment involves seeing life from the proper perspective. From a spiritual context. From God’s viewpoint.
It’s been said that when Goliath came threatening the Israelite army, the soldiers all thought “he’s so big we can never kill him.” David saw the same giant and thought, “He’s so big, I can’t miss him.”
In yesterday’s post, we introduced, defined and illustrated the concept of discernment. If you missed that post, read it first. Continue reading
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Spring has sprung. For baseball Spring training camps, that is. Here’s a great baseball story with a wonderful spiritual application.
Dave Bosewell, in How Life Imitates the World Series, tells a story about the late Earl Weaver, manager of the Baltimore Orioles, and how he handled his star player Reggie Jackson.
Weaver had a rule that no one could steal a base unless given the steal sign. This upset Jackson because he felt he knew the pitchers and catchers well enough to judge who he could and could not steal off of. So one game he decided to steal without a sign. Continue reading
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ThePreachersWord 