Motivational speaker, trainer, and author Glenn Van Ekeren, illustrates the benefits of giving through the life of John D. Rockefeller.
Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil Company, was considered the wealthiest American of his time. Yet, it is said that by age 58 his life was a wreck. He worried that his success was temporary. Van Ekeren writes “He became sick physically, mentally and emotionally. There was no humor, balance, or joy in his life. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Howard Strickland referenced a survey by George Barna on the topic of blessings.
Barna found that 72% of Americans believed that people are blessed by God so they can enjoy life.
52% agreed with the statement that the primary purpose of life is enjoyment and fulfillment. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
The story’s told that once President Franklin D. Roosevelt was preparing a speech and he needed some economic statistics to back up a point he was trying to make. His advisers said it would take six months to get accurate figures.
“In that case, I’ll just use these rough estimates,” FDR said, and he wrote down some numbers in his text. “They’re reasonable figures and they support my point. “Besides,” he added as an afterthought, “it will keep my critics busy for at least six months just to prove me wrong.” Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Some pundits have called tomorrow’s election the “most consequential mid-term election in history.” This follows what was labled two years ago as the “most consequential Presidential election in history.”
Although I didn’t research it, you could probably find many past elections in the storied history of America as being called “the most consequential.”
Now, I’m not minimizing the importance of exercising our right to vote. Norma Jean and I have already voted and carried our ballot to our drop off site. Interestingly, a friend saw my “I voted” sticker and joking said, “Did you vote for the right people?” (At least I think he was joking.) Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
“I didn’t feel anyone cared whether I was there or not.”
This was the response of 75% of the respondents who were asked in a survey why they had left the church.
Not surprisingly, research has shown that the more relationships a person develops in a congregation, the less likely they are to leave, or become inactive.
A British preacher, Daniel Harman, offered this observation. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Joe Theismann, sports commentator and businessman, enjoyed an illustrious NFL career with Washington Redskins as an All Pro quarterback.
Theismann, who led the Redskins to two Super Bowl appearances–winning in 1983 before losing the following year, when a leg injury forced him out of football in 1985, is entrenched in the record books as Washington’s all-time leading passer.
However, at the end of Theismann’s career he learned a bitter lesson. In an interview he said, “I got stagnant. I thought the team revolved around me. I should have known it was time to go when I didn’t care whether a pass hit Art Monk in the 8 or the 1 on his uniform. When we went back to the Super Bowl, my approach had changed. I was griping about the weather, my shoes, practice times, everything.” Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
We’re in the Smoky Mountains this week and bears are everywhere. Not just literal bears, but stuffed animal bears, ceramic bears and wood carved bears you can take home for a souvenir.
There’s a man here in Cosby that will carve you a full sized bear standing up. It reminds me of the story of a man who carved art out of logs using a chain saw. His specialty was carving the shape of an angry bear. He loved for people to ask him how he did it. His answer? Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
From the Best of Bits and Pieces is this humorous story.
Everybody but Sam had signed up for a new company pension plan that called for a small employee contribution. The company was paying the rest.
Unfortunately, 100% employee participation was needed; otherwise the plan was off. Sam’s boss and his fellow workers pleaded with him to sign the new pension plan, but he wouldn’t do it. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Recently I read a story about a 78 year old lady, Aleida Huissen, from Rotterdam, Netherlands, who had been smoking for 50 years.
And for 50 years she’s been trying to quit. Every attempt failed, until…
Until Leo Jansen entered the picture. The 79 year old proposed marriage with one condition. Aleida had to quit smoking. Continue reading
Filed under Renew in '22, Word of the Week
Last Thursday evening Norma Jean and I were privileged to attend the Florida College Leadership Dinner and hear former Vice-President Mike Pence share a message about servant-leadership.
Mr. Pence spoke of qualities that have served him well as he’s navigated the world of business and politics. From his humble beginnings growing up in a small Indiana town, to a seat in Congress, to the Governors’ mansion in Indiana, to the Vice Presidency, Mr. Pence emphasized the importance of faith, family and service. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
ThePreachersWord 