Category Archives: Word of the Week

November 5, 2018 · 5:49 am

Word of the Week: Nice

The other day we were driving through downtown Atlanta on the way to Florida and saw for the first time the eye-catching Corey Tower.

Corey Tower is a massive, 300-foot tall structure located where 1-20, I-75 and I-85 converge. It claims to be viewed by over 1 million people each day and is “labeled as one of Atlanta’s most powerful branding icons.” Its centerpiece is a 2000 square foot digital display with messaging and graphics 24 hours a day.

As we drove through the city we were struck by its simple, but profound three-word message: Continue reading →

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October 29, 2018 · 7:28 am

Word of the Week: Civility

During the past month on the road, we have not been watching very much TV, especially here in the Smoky Mountains. Except for a bit of morning news and an occasional Hallmark movie at night Norma Jean and I have preferred the beauty and serenity of our surroundings.

However, we have seen enough to long for the mid-term elections to be over. The political ads and the rhetoric is heated and vitriolic on both sides. Now in the aftermath of the terrible mass shooting at the Philadelphia synagogue, there are renewed calls for civility among our political leaders. Continue reading →

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October 22, 2018 · 6:34 am

Word of the Week: Servant

Yesterday Norma Jean and I worshiped with the brethren in Cosby, Tennessee, and I preached for them at the morning service. It was a pleasure to fellowship with these fine folks again.

Olie Williamson has labored with this church for over 20 years. He and his sweet wife, Mary have done a good work at Cosby. And the current state of the congregation is evidence of his patience, preaching and Bible teaching.

Olie is 86, but he is active and energetic. He loves the Lord. Loves the brethren at Cosby. And loves the Truth. We have been recipients of their hospitality or more than one occasion. And appreciate their kindness and fellowship. Continue reading →

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October 15, 2018 · 6:14 am

Word of the Week: Forward

This week Norma Jean and I are in the Dayton, Ohio, area, where I’m holding a meeting for the Kettering Church. We lived here and worked with this fine congregation back in the mid-1970’s. It’s a pleasure to return and see the wonderful work in which they are engaged.

Our theme is “Pressing toward the Prize.” The point of the meeting and the thesis of the lessons can be summed up in our word of the week. Forward.

Writing from a Roman prison, the aged apostle Paul, toward the end of his life, wrote these challenging words. Continue reading →

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October 8, 2018 · 6:42 am

Word of the Week: Passion

In his excellent book “Renewing Your Spiritual Passion,”Gordon MacDonald makes this observation about passion. “It is hard to measure and difficult to pin down. But you know when you have it, and you are quite aware when you don’t.”

MacDonald continues, “One feels passion; it seizes you! Passion stimulates human performance: superior or excellent performance, strange or bizarre performance, compassionate or sacrificial performance.” Continue reading →

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October 1, 2018 · 5:41 am

Word of the Week: Consequences

I don’t know if the political discourse in our country has reached an all-time low, but it’s probably pretty close.

Coarse. Crass. And crude. Are three words that come to mind. Along with insulting. Accusing. And insolent.

The extreme polarization in our country has been on public display during the Senate Judiciary hearings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Much has been spoken and written about due process, respecting women, telling the truth, as well as fairness, judging the validity of testimony, and the importance of a single vote. Continue reading →

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September 24, 2018 · 5:42 am

Word of the Week: Fulfillment

Last night Norma Jean and I worshiped with the Temple Terrace Church and heard a fine lesson presented by Nathan Caldwell.

Nathan is from Wainfleet, Ontario, Canada, where we spent the summer and enjoyed our association with his parents, Rob and Sharon Caldwell. He preaches “part-time,” as we often express it, and does a good job.

His sermon was entitled “Our Purpose in Life” and focused on the human need to find fulfillment. Continue reading →

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September 17, 2018 · 7:51 am

Word of the Week: Attitude

This week Norma Jean and I are just south of Birmingham, Alabama, where I’m holding a meeting for the Helena Church.

The church is served by two fine Shepherds Ken Craig and Jim Driskell and two dedicated preachers, Bryan Moody and Joe Hickman, who was a classmate of mine at Florida College back in the late 1960’s. In just two days we’ve enjoyed a wonderful fellowship with these brethren and feel a real connection to their church family.

All of the lessons are based on the theme “Developing the Mind of Christ.” I’m grateful the Shepherds chose this theme because I have not presented this series in a long time and needed to hear them again myself. (Yes, preachers need preaching. And personally profit from the lessons they present.) Continue reading →

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September 10, 2018 · 5:50 am

Word of the Week: Discipleship

During our recent trip to the Mediterranean, we heard many stories from our tour guides about ancient Rome and Greece. Often they would preface their narratives with the phrase, “legend has it.”

One such legend involves Julius Caesar’s conquest of Britain in the first century B.C. When he landed with his Roman legions, he took a bold step to ensure the success of his military campaign. He ordered his men to march to the edge of the Cliffs of Dover, and he commanded them to look down on the water below. Continue reading →

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August 20, 2018 · 4:17 am

Word of the Week: Marriage

Gladness

Have you seen the TOP TEN REASONS GOD CREATED EVE?  It’s credited to anonymous.  But I think Eve wrote it!

10. God worried that Adam would always be lost in the garden because men hate to ask for directions.

9. God knew that Adam would one day need someone to hand him the TV remote. (Men don’t want to see what’s ON television, they want to see WHAT ELSE is on!)

8. God knew that Adam would never buy a new fig leaf when his seat wore out and would therefore need Eve to get one for him. Continue reading →

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