Recently 150 religious leaders met in Nashville, Tennessee, to ratify a statement regarding biblical sexuality now known as the “Nashville Statement.” The group’s organizer stated, “It was our aim to say nothing new, but to bear witness to something very ancient.”
The Nashville Statement consists of a preamble stating its purpose and 14 articles articulating their beliefs. Each of the articles includes a statement of affirmation as well as a denial. Continue reading
Filed under Morality
Monday morning Norma Jean got a text message from our neighbors, Hugh and Linda Bozeman who also are members where we worship at West Main. They were having some family over for a cook out and invited us to join them. Of course, we were glad to accept.
Later that morning, I noticed a facebook post by Hugh that read, “I decided to clean my grill this morning. Couldn’t help but think of Matthew 23:27.”
What’s that verse got to do with cleaning a grill? Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
What do you do when the odds are stacked against you? When nothing you do seems to work? When losing seems inevitable?
Ask the UCLA football team.
Ask the Tennessee football team.
I have been up later than usual the past two nights watching college football. Sunday night Norma Jean said, “Are you watching football?” Continue reading
Filed under Persistence
Today is Labor Day in the United States. It’s a holiday. And ironically many people have the day off work.
Labor Day was first purposed by Peter J. McGuire to honor America’s work force. The first Labor Day celebration was on September 5, 1882, in New York City. Today there will be speeches. Parades. Flags will fly. And folks will bar-b-que.
What is lost on many people today, and sadly some Christians, is the spiritual component to work. The Bible has a great deal to say about work and our relationships in our work. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
We’ve had several calls, texts, and emails from friends around the country about the flooding situation in Texas. We’re in North Texas in the DFW Metroplex and were not affected by the storm. However, many brethren in and around the Houston area were seriously impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
ThePreachersWord is sharing the following information, taken from the facebook page, Church of Christ families: Hurricane Relief Efforts, in an effort to further spread the word about how and who you can help. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
A manufacturing plant was in full swing one day. The company’s massive machine was humming along, taking in the raw materials at one end and churning out the finished product at the other.
Suddenly, the machine stopped and ground to a halt. Workers climbed all over it like ants to get it started again. The plant’s manager stormed out of his office to find out why his multi-million-dollar machine wasn’t making him any money. He listened to his people saying they couldn’t figure it out, and he told them to call a technician. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
There was once an old Scottish woman who went from home to home across the countryside selling thread, buttons, and shoestrings. When she came to an unmarked crossroad, she would toss a stick into the air and go in the direction the stick pointed when it landed.
One day, however, she was seen tossing the stick up several times. “Why do you toss the stick more than once?” someone asked. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
George and Alex Jackson were among the residents who answered the call from local police departments to help those stranded by the floods.
The roads in their neighborhoods were flooded so badly that they looked like canals, but the brothers used their motor boat to provide assistance.
“There’s some older people that needed some attention and we’re trying to convince them the best thing they can do is get out,” George Jackson told “Good Morning America. Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
Before we left on our anniversary trip, many cities and towns were engaged in removing various Confederate statues and flags in wake of the senseless and shameful events that occurred in Charlottesville, VA.
I joked to Norma Jean that the “Six Flags Over Texas” would have to change its name to “Five Flags.” Upon returning, I’ve learned that while they haven’t changed the name, the theme park has decided to remove all the flags and replace them with six American flags. Continue reading
Filed under Heart, Uncategorized
Yesterday afternoon as I watched the news reports of the incredible flooding of Houston neighborhoods, streets, and even interstate highways, I was soon struck by the unselfish kindness of complete strangers coming to the aid of others.
Volunteers were coming with their boats to rescue families trapped in their homes. Older people who were helpless in nursing homes. And some stranded in their cars.
One news commentator observed that it was ”the worst of times bringing out the best in people.” Another said, “Yes, it is neighbor helping neighbor.” Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
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