February 21, 2021 · 6:30 am

Sunday Seed Thoughts: The Crown

The Bible is filled with powerful symbols to help us gain a better appreciation and develop a deeper insight into God’s eternal plan for our salvation.

As symbols relate to Jesus we see Him as the light of the world. The water of life. The good shepherd. The sun of righteousness. And the lamb of God.

As we assemble for worship today and specially come to communion, there are three powerful symbols that are worthy of our serious reflection when we think of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins.

We’ve already looked at two. The cup and the cross. Today, think about one that’s possibly overlooked. The crown. Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts

Tagged as ,

February 20, 2021 · 6:31 am

Weekly Recap: February 14-19

Good morning from Beverly Hills,

Well, after 33 months of traveling from place to place, we now have a house we can call home.

Now, I don’t get to answer the question “Where do you live?” with the retort, “We’re homeless.” Of course, Norma Jean never did like that answer anyway.

I never dreamed of living in Beverly Hills. Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Weekly Recap

February 19, 2021 · 6:11 am

Friday’s List To Live By #27

Today’s list comes from a piece I published several years ago,  but I think I got the idea from some anonymous article. If anyone knows the source, let me know and I will give them credit.

It encourages us not to listen to our negative, defeated and discouraged self talk, but rather  listen to God.  It’s entitled…

WHO SAYS  SO? Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Friday's List to Life By

Tagged as ,

February 18, 2021 · 6:41 am

“You Shall Be Holy,” Says The Lord

If you’re  following Mark Robert’s daily bible reading chart for 2021, today you begin reading Leviticus for the next 9 days.

Are you getting excited yet?

This is a book often skipped in Bible reading charts. With its many details of sacrifices, religious rites and prohibitions, it’s easy to get bogged down and miss the point for 21st century Christians. Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Holiness

Tagged as

February 17, 2021 · 6:58 am

A Passage To Ponder: Luke 12:22-31

By age 12 he was playing the French Horn. By 15, he was performing professionally with the great Jazz musicians of his era. He was the first black musician to break the color barrier in Hollywood as a composer. He’s earned 27 Grammys, including a Grammy Legend award in 1991. And he achieved notoriety for composing the score of The Color Purple.

However, Quincy Delight Jones Jr, who will turn 87 in March, has suffered a lot of trials in life. He’s been married three times. Endured an emotional breakdown. Survived two brain surgeries. And once faced a life-threatening surgery for an aneurysm. The surgeons said his chances of recovery were 1 in a 100. But he beat the odds.

Following this last operation, he was asked, “What have you started doing differently?” Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Passage To Ponder

Tagged as

February 16, 2021 · 7:13 am

The Danger of Appeasement

Max Lucado, a prolific author and the teaching minister for the Oak Hills Church in San Antonia, Texas, spoke last week at a virtual service for The Washington National Cathedral, a prominent Episcopal church.

His appearance was opposed and generated an online petition signed by 1,500 people demanding the National Cathedral rescind the invitation. Why? Because of Lucado’s view on traditional marriage. Furthermore, they claimed he “has inflicted serious harm” on the LGBT community. Continue reading →

7 Comments

Filed under Sin

Tagged as ,

February 15, 2021 · 7:01 am

Word of the Week: Risk

“Most of us think of risk as a negative situation we should avoid,” writes David Jeremiah in his book, Forward.

“But risk is a part of life, he observes, and it’s a big part of faith. Not every risk is worth taking but if you’re too overwhelmed by fear to correctly assess a situation, you’ll miss many opportunities for growth, increased strength, deeper faith, and success.” Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under Reaching Forward Series, Word of the Week

February 14, 2021 · 4:14 am

Sunday Seed Thoughts: The Cross

The cross is the universal symbol of Christianity.

However, the cross as it’s seen in houses of worship, grave markers, and worn as pieces of jewelry, may be romanticized and glamorized in a way that detracts from its original meaning and spiritual significance.

In fact, the cross may be used to represent something contrary to the principles and precepts revealed in Scripture. Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts

Tagged as

February 13, 2021 · 6:40 am

Weekly Recap: February 7-12

Good morning from Pompano Beach,

We’ve been blessed to enjoy sunshine and 80-degree weather here, while much of the country is suffering from cold, snow, and ice.

Tomorrow, I’m preaching at both Sunday AM services at the Northside Church.  It’s been a pleasure to be with these brethren again and enjoy time with our life long friends Steve and Theresa McAllister.  The real highlights of our travels in the past 33 months have not been so much the places we’ve been or the sights we’ve seen, but the new friends we’ve made, and the old friends we’ve enjoyed reconnecting with.

Monday, we’re leaving and heading back to Citrus County, where we have a very exciting week ahead.  But more on that in a later post.

Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Weekly Recap

Tagged as

February 12, 2021 · 6:11 am

Friday’s List To Live By #26

Today’s list is adapted from “Not Even A Hint” by Joshua Harris. It speaks to the deception of sin.

If you’re missed some of the previous 25 “Friday’s Lists To Live By” click here for all past columns.

10 LIES ABOUT SIN Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Friday's List to Life By