“What’s in a name?” opined Juliet in Shakespeare’s famous play Romeo and Juliet.
Her answer: “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”
This idea has often been applied religiously. Throughout my years of preaching I’ve heard people say, “There’s nothing in a name!”
But, is that really so? Continue reading
Filed under Christian, Word of the Week
“The gift without the giver is bare.” —James Russell Lowell
These words by the America poet remind us of the importance of giving with the right spirit, and the right attitude, No one wants to receive a gift that is given by compulsion. But a gift given with care and consideration, with purpose and pleasure is one that is appreciated Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
With all the bad things going on in the world around, it’s time for a little humor to begin our Saturday. The following are reputed to be answers that students of various ages gave on quizzes from their Bible classes. Continue reading
Filed under Humor
“Too often, we judge other groups by their worst examples, while judging ourselves by our best intentions.”
This memorable line is by former President George W. Bush as he spoke at the memorial service for the 5 slain Dallas police officers. Mr. Bush was brief in his remarks. Only 6 ½ minutes. But they were passionate. Powerful. And penetrating. His words have been tweeted. Retweeted. Posted on facebook. And the subject of newspaper articles and TV news shows. Continue reading
Filed under Relationships
I have some great facebook friends who post some meaningful, insightful and often challenging thoughts that inspire and encourage me. The following is from Sheri Mauck, the wife of a preaching colleague, Tony Mauck, that she posed a few days ago.
“If you are a grown-up Christian who was ‘raised right’, learning the Bible in Bible class, hearing sermons, singing songs and you think you already ‘know’ the Bible so you don’t read it EVERY DAY, because you ‘already know it’, you will find that you are struggling to grow.” Continue reading
David DeWitt tells a funny story about Chippie the parakeet. He was simply minding his own business and singing his song one day when his owner decided to clean out his cage with the vacuum cleaner. The phone rang and the lady went to answer it and that was when things began to go horribly wrong for little Chippie. Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses, Love, Uncategorized
“What advice would you give young black men to overcome their fear?”
This question was posed by a reporter to Dallas Police Chief, David Brown, in a news conference Monday.
I love his answer. Continue reading
Filed under America, Relationships
“Do you believe?”
This question was asked by Jesus to two blind men who cried to him for sight. Their response was “Yes, Lord.” Immediately they received their sight. (Matt 9:27-31)
To a blind beggar who Jesus had healed of his blindness, he asked, “Do you believe?”
But the question was far greater than Jesus’ ability to heal him. For he already had received his sight. The question spoke to his Deity. Do you believe I am the promised Messiah? was what Jesus was really asking. Continue reading
Filed under Faith, Word of the Week
“We’re hurting,” solemnly declared Dallas Police Chief, David Brown, in a news conference Friday following the senseless shooting by a sniper Thursday night that killed five cops.
Hurting. It describes the Dallas police force right now. Families are hurting. Their professional colleagues are hurting. The greater community is hurting. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Yesterday morning after writing and publishing my post, I went outside to get the newspaper–The Dallas Morning News. There it was in bold black letters on the front page. AMBUSH.
Numerous articles described the horrific and chaotic scene Thursday night when a sniper began shooting police officers during a peaceful protest in downtown Dallas.
Turning on the local TV station filled in the up to date details of the heart breaking tragedy that ensued. The attack on the Dallas police is ironic. By all accounts the DPD has been a model to other cities in terms of community relations. Reforms in the past six years of excessive force complaints have dropped from 147 to 13. The murder rate in Dallas is the lowest since 1930. Continue reading
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