The Scottish minister, Alexander Whyte, was known for his positive attitude and uplifting prayers in the pulpit. He always found something for which to be thankful.
One Sunday morning the weather was awful. It was a dark, dreary, and stormy day. One of the deacons remarked, “Well, the preacher won’t have anything to be thankful for on a day like this.” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
My wife, Norma Jean, likes to watch Hallmark movies. I suppose I’ve developed a bit of fondness for them as well. Currently, we’re watching their annual Christmas series.
When the movie begins with friction between the two lead male and female characters, I always turn to Norma and say, “Well, we know how this is going to end.” Even if one of them has a current boyfriend or girlfriend, something will happen to reveal this person was wrong for them. And the newfound love or in some cases, a rekindled relationship from High School is their true love. Continue reading
Filed under Life
“Lord, help us to be grateful” is often an expression of my appreciation in offering a prayer of thanksgiving.
I like the word “grateful.” Too often it seems “thank you” becomes an overworked, trite, mumbled expression with little thought or feeling. It’s easy to hurriedly utter an unemotional “thanks” and be on our way. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
WordPress tells me that today’s post is a major milestone. It’s #2500. Somehow it seems fitting that it fell on a Sunday.
We began ThePreachersWord on January 1, 2012, at ground zero. With no readers and no idea of writing 2500 posts, let alone its far-reaching impact. Today we have thousands of followers all across the United States and all around the world in over 200 countries and territories. Continue reading
Filed under Blogs, Sunday Seed Thoughts
Good morning from Indian Shores Beach,
For the third consecutive year during this adventure, Norma Jean and I are enjoying an extended stay at the beach. Along with some preaching opportunities and our daily writing, it affords some relaxing time to appreciate the beauty of nature and enjoy God’s blessings. Additionally, it’s an excellent time to plan for next year’s activities, to the extent we’re able to do so. Continue reading
Filed under Weekly Recap
Today’s list is a Thanksgiving acrostic, reminding us of our many blessings.
It combines people, places, things, and a fun thought or two. Hope you enjoy it. In fact, you might like to have everyone write their own Thanksgiving acrostic after enjoying a bountiful meal on Thursday.
If you’re new to ThePreachersWord, or missed some of the past 16 Friday’s List to Live by, click here. Continue reading
Filed under Friday's List to Life By
(Monday I was privileged to speak in chapel at Florida College. Today’s blog post is an edited version of that talk.)
In 1959 Walt Disney began looking for land to build a second resort to complement his California park. And he wanted enough land to control the development around his next park.
It wasn’t until 1963 that Disney flew over the Orlando area and finally decided on this location. The process of acquiring the land and building the park took 9 years. Disney died in 1966 before The Magic Kingdom opened in 1971. Continue reading
Filed under Choice
Hans Krause, a minister from Finland, tells a riveting story about the time when a group of theological students was attending a training seminar on pastoral counseling.
One of the members shared some of her childhood experiences that had recently come to the surface. For years on end, she had been sexually abused by a close relative, and there had been nobody to help her.
Hans remembers how everyone listened with deep sympathy to her as she unraveled her experiences and feelings, sobbing, and stammering. Most were dead silent, not knowing what to say or do. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
I don’t know when or who originated the term, “The Divided States of America,” but you’ve heard it. Seen it. And felt it.
The current political polarization is witnessed by the divide between Republicans and Democrats. Liberals and conservatives. Red states and blue states. Trumpers and Never-Trumpers. And religious and non-religious. Continue reading
Filed under Unity
Yesterday I was privileged to worship with and preach for the Palm Springs Dr. Church in Altamonte Springs. When I spoke at the communion service I shared this story and some accompanying thoughts from the book 6 Hours One Friday.
The author, Max Lucado, writes about a Labor day weekend when Hurricane David was devastating the Caribbean and headed toward South Florida. He writes that he and some other guys were trying to figure out how to protect a houseboat they lived on. Desperately they tried to tie it down tight to the dock, trees, moorings, anything they could. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
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