What words, thoughts or mental pictures come to your mind when you hear the word “meek”?
Weak? Wimpy? Wishy-washy?
In the minds of most people a meek man is a “Mr. Milquetoast” kind of character scared of his own shadow. A “yes man” always giving in to others. Or a fellow like Uriah Heep out of a Charles Dickens novel, wringing his hands and whimpering, “I’m so humble, you know, so very humble.” Actually, he was more creepy than meek! Continue reading
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Words change their meaning. Become euphuisms. Or are highjacked by pop culture to mean something totally different than intended.
There is a classic scene in 1986 movie, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” where the Principle, Mr. Ronney, is discussing with his secretary, Grace, the problem of a wise guy who’s been skipping school.
Ronney says, “I don’t trust this kid any further than I can throw him.” He worries that Ferris Bueller will be a bad influence on the student body and undermine his ability to govern the school Continue reading
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Polycarp was a second century Christian who lived at the time of Roman persecution.
This godly man, one of the bishops of the church at Smyrna, managed to escape persecution for almost his entire life. However, at age 86, he was suddenly a target of the Roman government.
Friends urged him to flee and go into hiding. Polycarp refused. When the soldiers came to his door, he let the them in and said, “God’s will be done.” Historians record that he was brought before the local proconsul, Statius Quadratus, who interrogated him in front of a curious crowd of bystanders. Continue reading
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Our son, Kenny, likes T-shirts. I don’t know how many he has. And he may not even know! But he has lots and lots of T-shirts!
He especially likes T-shirts with a message. And he likes to give them to others. Several years ago, Kenny gave Norma Jean and I matching T-shirts with a two-word message: “Do good!” When ever we wear them, we receive positive comments. And, of course, we are reminded in a pretty overt way to practice the message we are proclaiming! Continue reading
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“It is impossible to rightly govern without God and the Bible, once affirmed our first President George Washington.
In his farewell address, September 19, 1796, Washington said, “The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of right and order which Heaven itself has ordained. … Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” Continue reading
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“Lord, have mercy!”
It’s an expression I heard frequently as a boy when we went “down to the country.” “Lord, have mercy!”
I can remember hearing my Granny Key say it. “Lord, have mercy!”
I also remember ten men in the Bible saying it too. “Jesus, Master, Have Mercy on Us”. Continue reading
Filed under Mercy, Word of the Week
The American Humorist, Mark Twain, told it, so it must be true! Supposedly he once overheard a prominent and wealthy businessman, known for his ruthless behavior, brag, “Before I die I’m making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Then I’m going to Mt.Sinai, climb to top and read the Ten Commandments.” Continue reading
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Russell Sedelmaier had cleaned Ivon and Eileen Harris’ home once a week for five years. He had the keys to their home. They trusted him. He was a man described by those who knew him as “easy-going, even friendly.” And while Sedelmaier had his share of trouble, hard luck, and minor skirmishes with the law, no one saw this coming. Certainly not the Harrises. Continue reading
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Today Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of our greatest Presidents. However, at that time he had many political enemies including Edwin Stanton, who looked down on Lincoln with great disdain. Among other unkind epithets, Stanton described Lincoln as “a long armed ape,” an “ignoramus” and “the original Gorilla.”
However, when it came time to replace Simon Cameron, his first Secretary of War, Lincoln appointed Stanton to the job. His Cabinet was shocked. But Lincoln believed Stanton was the best man for the job. Continue reading
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Several years ago, I heard a story that came out of the Special Olympics in Seattle. Nine contestants, all physically or mentally handicapped, assembled at the starting line to run the 100 yard dash.
The gun sounded. And off they went! Well, not exactly in a dash! But with a zest and enthusiasm to run the race. However, one little boy stumbled and fell. As he tumbled to the track, he began to cry. The other eight heard him. Stopped. And slowly returned. Continue reading
Filed under compassion, Word of the Week
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