IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Three Views of Three Crosses

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

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Does God Have A Sense of Humor?

Giraffe

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

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GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE John 8:32

BlindMen.Elephant

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

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Making the Most of Opportunity

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

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Word of the Week: Disciple

Jesus.Following

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

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Sunday Seed Thoughts: Forgiveness

Seed Thoughts

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

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Our Annual Anniversary Blogging Break

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

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The Character of a Godly Leader

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

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Great Verses of the Bible: Psalm 19:1-2

 

This morning when I turned on my computer, this random screen saver appeared, pictured above. The caption reads: “You’re looking at a spiral galaxy containing upwards of 400 billion stars and 100 billion planets. Ahhh….”

Immediately my mind went to one of the great verses of the Bible, Psalm 19:1-2. “The heavens declare the glory of God, And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.” Continue reading

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The Biblical Answer To Racism

The events last Saturday in Charlottesville, Virginia, fueled by racial bigotry were wrong. Sickening. Shameful. And sinful.

A 32-year-old woman, Heather Heyer, who was “a passionate advocate for the disenfranchised” was killed when a car was driven into a group of counter protestors. At least 19 others were injured. Continue reading

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