The word “kin” comes from a common Teutonic word. Kin has to do with family—those who are related and share a common bloodline, a common ancestor. People used to refer to their relatives as kin folks. Continue reading
IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! The Suffering Servant’s Victory
I occasionally eat at a Wendy’s for lunch. It’s close to my office. I like their burger better than other chains. Plus they give me free drinks! But I’m often reminded of their founder, the late Dave Thomas. Remember his commercials? He was affable. Humble. And just down-to-earth.
Once Thomas was asked what made him so successful. His answer? “My MBA!” But he didn’t mean a graduate degree in business education. He called it a “mop and bucket attitude.” For him no task was too menial. He simply rolled up his sleeves and joined in to get the job done. Great leaders are like that. Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
Jumping to Conclusions
“This is plagiarism at its worst! You did not create this!” recently wrote one of my readers.
The reader continued to chastise me saying, “An old black preacher (I can’t remember his name, but I have the entire sermon on CD!) wrote and preached this about 7 years ago! Write your own sermons, man!” Continue reading
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A Veteran’s Day Tribute
Here’s a past and present day salute to those who serve our country with honor, dignity and courage. Thank you. And may God bless you.
During the Iraq war in 2004 the Wall Street Journal ran a front page story about the “new training” the Marines were receiving.
In addition to being drilled in combat skills and heavy weaponry, they were receiving instruction regarding respect for the Iraqi citizens. The Marine commanders borrowed the maxim from the Hippocratic Oath: “First do no harm.” The philosophy behind the new protocol was not intended to put the Marines at unwarranted risk, but defuse hostility and suspicion. The article called it a “reprogramming campaign” that teaches these skilled soldiers to ask questions first and shoot later.
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GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: Philippians 4:7
Bill Crowder tells the story about the time he was scheduled to teach at a Bible conference outside the US and was waiting for his visa to be approved. It had been rejected once, and time was slipping away. Without the visa, he would lose the opportunity for ministry, plus his colleagues in that country would have to find another speaker at the last minute.
During those stressful days, a co-worker asked Bill how he felt about it all. Bill told him he was experiencing “peaceful anxiety.” Continue reading
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A Worthy Woman’s Legacy
On this day in history, November 10,1925, a baby girl was born in Butler County, Kentucky. She was the third of seven children. However, her birth went unnoticed by the world. Nor will it be listed among the important events on this day.
While her upbringing was simple and unsophisticated their family was close-knit, bathed in love, and based on Christian values and virtues. When she turned 18, she moved to Indianapolis to work in a factory. There she met the man of her dreams, would marry, quit work and begin a family. She would be unknown to anyone outside of her immediate family and friends. She would be a homemaker and help her husband in carving out a middle class lifestyle. Continue reading
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Word of the Week: Discernment
In The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey tells the story about riding the subway in New York City early one Sunday morning. People were resting or reading. It was a calm and peaceful ride.
Suddenly a man entered the subway car and the whole scene changed. His children were loud, rambunctious, and generally disrupting what had been a tranquil morning. Yet, the dad sat idly by seemingly oblivious to the situation.
Covey said he was irritated at the man’s insensitivity of the other people around him. Finally Covey said “Sir, your children are really disturbing a lot of people. I wonder if you couldn’t control them a little more?” Continue reading
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Tune In
Robert W. Herron once wrote that “good listening is like tuning in a radio station. For good results, you can listen to only one station at a time.”
Ever find yourself traveling and driving out of a station’s range? The next thing you know, you are hearing static, plus another station trying to come in. It’s very annoying and distracting. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Unity in the Cross
My good friend, Ralph Walker, recently gave me a book by Mark Templer entitled The Cross of the Savior. I’ve just begun to read it, but it looks very good. The back cover promises “a fresh perspective on the cross of Jesus.”
“The message of the cross was perplexing to Jews and Gentiles alike–a scandalous stumbling block to the Jews and a meaningless act of self-sacrifice to the Gentiles,” writes Templer. “But to us as Christians it is power and wisdom of God, the focal point of our faith. It is the light that shines in our darkest night. It is the hope that keeps us sane when all are losing their heads. It is our lifeline when we are drowning in the muck. It is our only hope in a dark and sinful world.” Continue reading
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Should Preachers Care About People’s Thoughts and Feelings?
“If you’re not offending someone, you’re not preaching the gospel,” wrote blogger Mike Duran.
His statement reminds me of an expression I remember hearing from older preachers many years ago, “Just preach the Truth and let the chips fall where they may.”
Now, I understand the gist of both comments. In fact, Mike correctly writes about occasions where Jesus’ preaching was offensive to the Pharisees, Sadducees, and political leaders of His day. He was also plain-spoken with Peter and the other apostles when they needed to be corrected or rebuked. Continue reading
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