“If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans,” is an old aphorism often attributed to Woody Allen. But’s it probably older than Allen. Its origins may be from an old Yiddish proverb.
This morning as we’re preparing to check-out of the house we’re renting in Temple Terrace, I recalled when we arrived we were going to attend the Florida College Lectures. Then a student contracting the measles forced the school to cancel lectures. Something unheard of. Plans altered. Continue reading
John Piper once wrote that sin (lust for example) “gets its power by persuading me to believe that I will be more happy if I follow it. The power of all temptation is the prospect that it will make me happier.”
Piper’s observation reminds me of a true story that occurred several years ago. To protect the innocent, as well as the guilty, I will refer to the two married couples as Jason and Judy and Matt and Jen. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Joe went to a psychiatrist for a problem that had plagued him for years– fear that someone was under his bed at night.
“Doc,” he pleaded, “You’ve got to help me. I’m going crazy. I can’t get a good night’s sleep.”
“I can cure you in 6 months,” said the doctor. “If you will come 3 times a week, I will rid you of your fears.”
“How much do you charge?” asked Joe. Continue reading
The 18th century, French Philosopher, Voltaire, was a prolific writer, known for his wit and biting criticism of Christianity. He believed in “reason.” And thought there was no need for God.
Voltaire once wrote, “If in the market of Paris, before the eyes of a thousand men and before my own eyes, a miracle should be performed, I would much rather disbelieve the two thousand eyes and my own two, than believe it.” Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
For those of you who may have missed one of our posts this past week, here’s a brief summary. And the quick links to get you caught up.
Looking in the mirror won’t correct your problems, but it does show they exist. However, seeing they exist and actually doing something about them is two different things.
Filed under Uncategorized
Watching ESPN yesterday as they discussed the delay of the Major League baseball season, I heard Jeff Passion offer this insight:
“The idea that we know what’s going on 2 hours from now, let alone 2 weeks from now is just not the case.”
The global pandemic caused by the threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is creating wide-spread uncertainty, fear, and even panic. We haven’t experienced this much disruption of our daily lives since the 9/11 attacks. In fact, in some ways it seems worse Continue reading
“Old. Just the sound of it incites an almost immediate negative response,” wrote Dee Bowman in The Joy of Growing Old in Christ.
“Old cars break down. Old houses demand work. Old clothes get holes in them. Old equipment doesn’t work right. Old trash stinks. Old tires get slick and dangerous.” And on and on the list goes. Continue reading
Filed under Age
“I just can’t believe it,” gasped Rose Crawford as the doctor lifted the bandages from her eyes. For the first time in her life Rose saw a beautiful world of color.
Crawford, who had been blind for 50 years since birth, underwent a delicate surgery in an Ontario, Canada, hospital that restored her sight. But here’s the sad and stunning part of the story as related by David Sargent. Continue reading
Filed under 20/20 Vision Series
Augustine, the theologian who lived in the 4th and 5th centuries, is generally regarded as the greatest of the early “church fathers.” His writings are classics. And he is often quoted.
However, Augustine, the future bishop, was not baptized until he was 32 years old. Prior to his conversion he engaged in a ten year illicit relationship. The story is told that one day following his conversion, he was approached by his former mistress. When Augustine saw her, he turned and quickly walked away.
The woman followed after him calling out, “Augustine! It’s me! It’s me!” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
“It is one’s attitude at the beginning of a difficult undertaking which, more than anything else, will determine its successful outcome” wrote William James, often called “the father of modern psychology.”
Today’s Bible reading, Numbers 12-14, is a great illustration of that fact. It describes a familiar Bible narrative when Israel stood on the brink of inheriting the land of Canaan. Moses sent out 12 men to spy out the land and their report resulted in death and disaster for Israel.
By the way, do you know how many men of war died during the wilderness wanderings? (I’ll give you the answer at the end of this post). Continue reading
Filed under Attitude
