There’s a missing word among many, if not most Christians.
Most preachers rarely, if ever, use the word
It’s found 53 times in the Bible.
It’s a word used by Jesus. John. Luke. Paul. Peter. And James.
We claim to believe it. Obey it. And teach it.
Ironically, we substitute another word in its place that is not found in the Bible!
Can you guess what the word is? Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
A stunt pilot was selling rides in his single engine airplane. There was only room for the pilot and two passengers. A preacher wanted to try it, but also take his wife along at no extra charge.
At first the pilot wouldn’t agree. But not wanting to miss out on a chance to make some cash, the pilot said, “I’ll take you both up for the price of one if you promise not to utter a sound during the entire flight. If you make any noise, the price is doubled.” The preacher agreed. Continue reading
Filed under Discipline, Word of the Week
It must be Spring. Because Major League Baseball has arrived!
Last night the season began with one of baseball’s oldest rivalries– the St. Louis Cardinals vs Chicago Cubs at the historic and recently renovated Wrigley Field. The Cardinals won 3-0.
Today there will be 14 more openers. Including our American League Champion, Kansas City Royals!
One of my favorite baseball stories involves famed St. Louis Cardinal pitcher, Dizzy Dean, a member of the so-called “gas-house gang.” In 1934 Dizzy had a 30-7 record. He led the league in strike-outs. Led the league in shutouts. And won two games in the World Series, including the deciding seventh game to beat the Detroit Tigers. He was named MVP in 1934. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Billie Burke was a famous actress of the early 20th century. She played “Glinda the good witch” in the Wizard of Oz musical. The story is told that Ms Burke was once traveling on a cruise ship when she noticed a man at the next table suffering from a bad cold.
She asked, “Are you uncomfortable?”
The man nodded in the affirmative.
“Well,” she instructed, “I’ll tell you what to do.” Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
When Norma Jean and I lived in Tennessee we had some wonderful neighbors, Phil and Fe Stack. They were retired Doctors. They were friendly, kind-hearted folks.
Phil’s background as a Psychiatrist coupled with his religious beliefs gave him a unique insight into human behavior. Phil and I had many “backyard visits” about world problems and the human condition
One day we were discussing problems in our public schools and Phil asked, “Do you know what would solve those problems?”
“What?” Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
For 15 years the hit TV show, Survivor, has captivated viewers while becoming a legend in the world of reality TV.
Every year they mix it up with different cast members, novel twists and a new location. But the premise is pretty much unchanged. Every week they have a different contest to see who will win immunity and keep them from getting booted off the Island!
Survivor contestants try to gain support from one another. It’s a matter of trusting one another, but the reality is…no one trusts anyone else! Why? Because the last remaining survivor will win a million dollars! Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
The New York Times editorial headlined it as “A Moment of Grace.” The article began with this observation:
“In an age whose crabbed sense of justice finds expression in dismal phrases like “zero tolerance” and “three strikes and you’re out,” the events in a Long Island courtroom on Monday came as an undeserved gift, something startling and luminous.”
It all began when Ryan Cushing and 5 other teens went out “for a night of joy riding and crime.” After stealing a credit card, they bought some DVD’s, video games and then some food at the grocery store. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Once there was a little boy, Ryan, who wanted a watch.
Day in and day out Ryan pestered his parents about getting him a watch. His parents put him off every way they could. Finally he drove his parents to the breaking point. His father told the youngster that he didn’t want to hear another word about a watch from him.
Well, for the rest of that week the Ryan said nothing about a watch. He knew that to do so would certainly result in his parents’ displeasure and probably some discomfort for him! Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
As a part of our 2015 theme on FUNDAMENTALS OF FAITH, the Hickman Mills Church where I preach in Kansas City, MO, is working on reading though the Bible this year.
We’ve just finished Exodus and are moving into Leviticus. It’s easy to get bogged down in that section of Scripture. But in the midst of all of the statutes, ordinances and laws pertaining to the various offerings there is a message God is communicating to Israel.
Israel belonged to God. They were His people. They were to be different from heathen nations. They were to be separate. Set apart. And distinctive. They were to abstain from idolatry, immorality and iniquity. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Several years ago I heard a story about a psychology professor who believed that parents should not punish or spank their children. His motto: ”Just love your children.
Although he had no children of his own, whenever he saw a neighbor scolding a child for some wrongdoing, he would say, “You should love your boy, not punish him.” Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
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