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
Crosses. You see them everywhere. On houses of worship. On grave markers. As ornate pieces of jewelry worn as a necklace, 
bracelet or even earrings.
We celebrate the cross. We glamorize it. We even romanticize it. We all know what it means. It’s the symbol of Christianity. It represents salvation. It reminds us of Jesus. Continue reading
Filed under Cross, It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
Several years ago Dr. Richard Wiseman of the University of Hertforshire in England did a serious study to determine the world’s funniest joke. Over 40,000 jokes were submitted. Rated. And judged.
The experiment demonstrated that people in different parts of the world have varying tastes in humor. Americans like jokes with a character who’s made to look stupid. New Zealanders, Australians and Brits prefer jokes involving word play. Germans had no preference in jokes.
But, here’s the joke that won first place regardless of gender, geography or age. Continue reading
Filed under Humor
Lillian Quigley, in her children’s book, The Blind Men and the Elephant, recounts the famous fable of six blind men who encounter an elephant for the first time. In the story each man touches a part of the elephant and draws his own conclusion of what an elephant is like. Continue reading
Filed under Freedom, Great Bible Verses, Truth
A young man was in love with a farmer’s beautiful daughter. When he went to the farm to ask for her hand in marriage, the farmer said, “Son, you can marry my daughter if you can catch one of my bulls by the tail. I’ll give you three chances.” Continue reading
Filed under Opportunity
When the Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff first came to the United States he jokes that he wasn’t prepared for the incredible variety of instant products available in American grocery stores.
“On my first shopping trip” he says, “I saw powdered milk–you just add water, and you get milk. Then I saw powdered orange juice–you just add water, and you get orange juice. And then I saw baby powder, and I thought to my self, what a country!” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Word of the Week
Without forgiveness we cannot worship God acceptably. Obviously this is true in terms of our relationship with God, but it is also true regarding our fellow-man. Jesus said, “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt 6:15) Continue reading
Filed under Forgiveness, Sunday Seed Thoughts
Two or three times a year we take a break from blogging. This next week is one of those times. Norma Jean and I will be celebrating our 49th wedding anniversary on August 23rd. We’ve been blessed for the past several years to take a trip during the week of our anniversary.
Typically I will post when away during meetings or some other trips. The year after I began blogging and we took our anniversary trip, Norma Jean asked, “You’re not going to do your blog on this trip are you?” Continue reading
Filed under Blogs
Our Wednesday Bible Class at West Main is studying the history of the Old Testament this quarter. Last night we surveyed the book of Nehemiah.
Nehemiah led the third group of Jews who returned from Babylonian captivity in about 445 B.C. His mission was to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Although he was the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, he demonstrated tremendous wisdom and leadership in his role not only in rebuilding the walls but in spiritual and moral reform. Continue reading
Filed under Leadership
ThePreachersWord 