This week finds Norma Jean and me attending the Florida College Lectures, as well as sneaking in some time with our grandchildren. As I have reflected on the lecture theme, “Inquire of Past Generations: Lessons From Church History,” a central thread has emerged in all of the presentations. Continue reading
Last night Norma Jean and I attended the opening session of the Florida College Lectures and heard the keynote address by Dr. David Edwin Harrell, Jr on the subject “What Shall We Do With History?”
Ed, as he’s known by those in our fellowship, is a social historian with an impressive academic resume. He served as a professor at six universities including the University of Georgia, the University of Alabama in Birmingham and Auburn University. He has been published in professional journals, edited and authored several books, spoken at dozens of conferences, and is recognized as an expert on Religious history as evidenced by his many interviews on national news programs. Continue reading
Filed under Florida College Lectures
“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience,” once wrote Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, the philosopher and Jesuit priest who trained as a paleontologist and geologist.
While experience is something, as one sage expressed it, that we sometimes wish happened to someone else, it is a necessary part of life. Experience teaches us and provides personal knowledge that helps us acquire skills. Gain insight. Develop maturity. And grow in wisdom. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
My Bible reading this morning in Ephesians 3 reminds me of a story once told about the late, legendary golfer Arnold Palmer.
Palmer once played a series of exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia. The King was so impressed with Palmer both as an athlete and a person than he proposed to give him a gift. One of Palmer’s choosing. Continue reading
Filed under God
If Jesus were alive today with the availability of modern technology would He podcast the Sermon on the Mount?
According to Mercer Schuchardt, associate professor of communications at Wheaton College, the answer is “No.”
My friend and preaching colleague, Ralph Walker, recently shared with several preachers an article in Christianity Today by Schuchardt entitled, “How Podcasts Hurts Preaching. Continue reading
Filed under Worship
Charles Spurgeon once referred to R. C. Chapman, the British evangelist, as “the saintliest man I ever knew.”
One morning Chapman was asked how he was feeling. “I’m burdened this morning!” was his reply.
However, his happy countenance contradicted his words. So the questioner exclaimed in surprise, “Are you really burdened, Mr. Chapman?” Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
“So, I hear that you’re retiring,” a friend said to me recently.
“Don’t use the ‘R’ word,” I replied.
“Oh, I thought you were leaving West main?”
“Well, I am at the end of May. But I’m not retiring from preaching.”
After a puzzled look, I explained that I am leaving local work, but seeking a more flexible schedule that allows for a broader ministry in the brotherhood. Although I will turn 70 in March, my health is good and I still feel very energetic.
Since my December post announcing this new chapter in our lives, some of our plans have taken shape. In addition to my love of preaching, are traveling and enjoying the fellowship of brethren in other locations. So, we are going to combine the two for a period of time.
This summer we are spending 7 weeks in Welland, Ontario, Canada. The church in Wellandport will serve as our “home base.” Their preacher and my friend, Michael Stephens, is my liaison to the Canadian brethren. We’ve already scheduled a gospel meeting, a VBS, a men’s class and some studies on “Evidences” at Wellandport. As time permits, there will be other opportunities throughout Ontario.
Following this, we will take our annual anniversary trip in August to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. This will take us to both Rome and Athens where we look forward to meeting and worshiping with brethren in those cities.
When we return we have Fall meetings already scheduled. In addition to meetings in Texas, currently, we have speaking engagements that will take us to Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. Possibly we could add one or two more meetings to our Fall schedule.
Sometime in November, we will make our way to Florida, where our daughter, Rachél and her family live. By then, our son, Kenny, and his wife, April, will have moved back to Florida, where she will begin her full-time medical practice. Since our children and grandchildren will be in central Florida, we anticipate making that our “home base” for at least 5-6 months a year. We are working on some potential preaching opportunities around Florida and maybe into the Carribean.
We already have meetings scheduled for 2019 and beyond and are looking to add to that schedule as well as speak on an appointment basis. Hopefully, the Canadian work will serve as a model where we can spend 4-8 weeks in various localities and offer support, encouragement and spiritual edification to the brethren while we are there. We want to be used in whatever way we can serve as the brethren and the Lord see fit for as long as we can.
The Shepherds and the West Main Church Family have been incredibly considerate and understanding of our decision. We are indebted to them for their support during this transition.
During this time we plan to continue ThePreachersWord. We’re looking forward to meeting some of our readers in other localities, especially in Canada and Europe, in the months ahead.
We solicit your prayers on our behalf for fruitfulness in the Kingdom and safety in our travels.
—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
Filed under Preaching
When Henry Kissinger was Secretary of State the story is told he once asked an assistant to prepare an analysis on a certain initiative. After putting in long hours on the project, he gave Kissinger the report. An hour later it was returned with a note to redo it.
The assistant stayed up all night redoing the report. Again Kissinger asked for him to redo it.
After the third attempt, the assistant asked to see Kissinger. “I’ve done the best I can do,” he told the Secretary. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
Owen Bourgaize relates an encounter with a woman who saw him as he drove to his office. After parking his car, the lady standing nearby said, “That’s a nice car, but I wouldn’t want to drive it”
Obviously puzzled Owen asked, “Why not?”
“It’s green,” she replied. “Furthermore the license plate number adds up to 13.” Continue reading
“You have become a man ruled by selfish and perverted desires, a man defined by his daily choices repeatedly to feed that selfishness and perversion. You chose to pursue your wickedness no matter what it cost others,” calmly and deliberately spoke Rachael Denhollander as she addressed former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar in court yesterday. Continue reading
Filed under Gospel
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