Have you heard the one about the kindergarten Bible class teacher who was teaching her children about the Golden Rule?
To illustrate the importance of helping and serving others she told the parable of the Good Samaritan. She pointed out that he was good because he served the need of someone who was hurting and desperately needed his help.
The teacher concluded by saying, “Remember, children we are here to serve others.” Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
Seventeen years ago we were living in Spring Hill, TN. And I was preaching for the Jackson Heights church in Columbia. As I was preparing to leave for the office Norma Jean hollered for me to come into the family room. “A plane has hit one of the twin towers,” she yelled in disbelief.
Like millions of Americans we were stunned as we watched another plane hit the 2nd tower. Then the Pentagon was hit. Soon there was a report of the crash in PA. Later we learned of the heroism that prevented another catastrophic strike.
That day I did not go to the office. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
During our recent trip to the Mediterranean, we heard many stories from our tour guides about ancient Rome and Greece. Often they would preface their narratives with the phrase, “legend has it.”
One such legend involves Julius Caesar’s conquest of Britain in the first century B.C. When he landed with his Roman legions, he took a bold step to ensure the success of his military campaign. He ordered his men to march to the edge of the Cliffs of Dover, and he commanded them to look down on the water below. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
I just came across a facebook page “Animals Are People Too” no doubt inspired by PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
The page features photos of people and their animals. One post says, “My current relationship status.” And it shows a person’s hand with a wedding ring and a ring on the paw of their pet.
Founded in 1980 as a non-profit organization with 400 employees and claiming 6.5 million members and supporters, PETA is an “animal rights” organization that sees no difference between human beings and animals. Continue reading
Filed under Creation
Last night Norma Jean and I attended the mid-week Bible Study service at the Downers Grove church in suburban Chicago where my friend and former college classmate Steve Wolfgang preaches. After being out of the country for 25 days, it was good to be “home.”
Steve’s class focused on the mission of the church. As an assignment, he had asked the class to write a “mission statement” either collectively or individually. As someone who has worked with churches through the years in developing Biblical mission statements, I was interested in hearing what the class had to say. Continue reading
Filed under Purpose
A father asked his Son, “If three frogs were sitting on a limb that hung over a pond, and one frog decided to jump how many frogs would be left?”
The little boy grinned and said, “That’s easy, Dad. Two.” Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
For the past 25 days Norma Jean and I have been traveling through the Mediterranean as we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. We embarked in Athens and disembarked in Rome. Along the way we’ve enjoyed delicious food, seen ancient archeological sites dating back to Bible times and marveled at the beauty of God’s creation. As you can imagine there have been many highlights on such a venture.
Sunday, however, ranks at the top of our experiences when we met with the Christians in Rome for worship at the VIA SANNIO church.
Filed under Fellowship
Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?”Pontus Pilate asked Jesus at His trial.
The power in Jesus’ day resided in Rome. Everyone knew it. Their empirical rule reached across the known world. The power was evident in their army. Their outposts of culture. Their massive building programs. Their roads. And, of course, their ruler. He was Pontifex Maximus.
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In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change the TV channel. “What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over? asks Linus “These five fingers,” says Lucy. “Individually they’re nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single fist they form a weapon that is terrible to behold.”
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Hopefully we’re not going to suffer ship wreck this week But thought I might re-blog this post for your reading pleasure and encouragement today
“God himself could not sink this ship,” replied a deck hand as Sylvia Caldwell marveled at the majesty of the great Titanic and wondered aloud if it really was unsinkable as advertised.
Talk about famous last words!
It was on this day 104 years ago, April 15, 1912, that the “Unsinkable Ship” sank in the icy waters of the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg late on the 14th. 1517 people died in that disaster.
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