Category Archives: Word of the Week

July 1, 2013 · 7:36 am

Word of the Week: Integrity

Plants

There is an ancient fable of  an Emperor from China who had no children and needed to choose a successor.

Thousands of children from across the kingdom were called to the palace and were shocked when the Emperor exclaimed, “I have decided to choose one of you.”

“I am going to give each one of you a seed today. One very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!” Continue reading →

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June 24, 2013 · 5:42 am

Word of the Week: Encourage

Robinson.Reese

 This year is the 66th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color-barrier to become the first African-American to play Major league baseball.   The release of the move “42″ and other MLB events have paid tribute to Robinson’s achievements.

His first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers was brutal.  Jackie faced hatred nearly everywhere he traveled. Pitchers threw fastballs at his head. Runners spiked him on the bases.  Ugly insults were hurled from the stands.  And opposing dugouts.  Even the home crowds in Brooklyn taunted him at times. Continue reading →

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June 17, 2013 · 6:38 am

Word of the Week: Care

Care

“Sundays are usually the only time subway’s are peaceful.  But this particular morning in the midst of a quiet time of reading and relaxing the peace scene was shattered when a father with two boisterous children burst in the car.  They were loud, obnoxious, and totally out of control as they raced around the car even grabbing people’s newspapers”

If you were on the subway, what would you think?  How would you feel toward the father?  What would you say?  Well, it happened to Stephen Covey author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.  In the book he describes his irritation.  Continue reading →

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June 10, 2013 · 7:47 am

Word of the Week: Hope

Hope2

Lucy and Linus were sitting in front of the television set when Lucy said to Linus, “Go get me a glass of water!”

Linus looked surprised, “Why should I do anything for you? You never do anything for me.”

“On your 75th birthday,” Lucy promised, “I’ll bake you a cake.”

Linus got up, headed to the kitchen and said, “Life is sure more pleasant when you have something to look forward to.”

Our Bible word of the week is “hope.” Continue reading →

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June 3, 2013 · 6:48 am

Word of the Week: Serve

OthersA Sunday school teacher was teaching her kindergarten children about the Golden Rule and the importance of helping others.  After telling the parable of the Good Samaritan, the teacher said, “Remember, children we are here to serve others.”  Continue reading →

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May 27, 2013 · 7:26 am

Word of the Week: Memory

Memories

Three old men were sitting around Pete’s house one morning drinking coffee and sharing how forgetful they were getting.

The first man said, “Sometimes I get undressed to get into the shower, and suddenly I can’t remember if I’m getting in or getting out.”

The second man said, “Well, sometimes I’ll find myself on the stairs, and I’m not able to remember if I’m going up or coming down.”

Pete piped up and said, “Well, so far I haven’t had that problem. So just “knock on wood” and hope what is happening to you guys doesn’t happen to me.”

Continue reading →

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May 20, 2013 · 6:07 am

Word of the Week: Maturity

Maturity

Our son, Kenny, just turned forty.  But I can still hear him as a little kid saying, “Daddy! Measure me!”  Like most kids he loved to see how much he had grown.   We had a post where I measured him and made a mark.  It was an objective way to see how much taller he was.

But of course we know that maturity is more than just physical growth.  It’s mental maturity.  Emotional maturity.  Social maturity.  Like one sage said, “You are only young once, but you can be immature forever!”

What about Christians?  Do we like to be spiritually measured? Our word of the week is “maturity.” Consider Paul’s exhortation as a personal challenge. Continue reading →

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May 6, 2013 · 8:39 am

Word of the Week: Patience

Patience2Phillips Brooks was a great New England Preacher of the 19th century.  He was known for his poise.  Patience.  And quiet manner.  However, like all of us, the pressure of his work caused him to suffer from periods of frustration.

One day a friend saw the minister feverishly pacing the floor.  Back and forth.  Back and forth.  Like a caged lion.  Finally, he said, “What’s the trouble, Mr. Brooks?” His reply was classic. Continue reading →

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April 29, 2013 · 8:15 am

Word of the Week: Grow

Growth.2

Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village while on a European trip.   As they walked around the quaint little town, one of the tourists saw an old man sitting on a park bench.   In a rather patronizing way, the tourist asked, “Were any great men born in this village?” Continue reading →

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April 22, 2013 · 7:44 am

Word of the Week: Kind

Kindness

Marilyn Irlbacher.  You’ve probably never heard of her.  And I doubt you will remember her name.  But you won’t forget her story.

She was only eight years old.  Living in a less than desirable foster care home.  She worried about the 50 cents she owed her school for some lost books.  Unless she paid the fine, Marilyn wouldn’t get her fourth-grade report card.

When she was told that was the case, little Marilyn ran from the school-house in tears. She didn’t have 50 cents.  And the very thought of asking her foster parents for the money terrified her.  As she ran down  the street, she didn’t see the tall man in her path until she ran into him.

“Here’s the rest of the story” In her own words. Continue reading →

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