October 28, 2015 · 6:25 am

GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: Colossians 3:23

Work Pottery

Most of you have probably shopped at a J. C. Penny store. The Founder, James Cash Penny, called his first dry goods store The Golden Rule, because he believed in that principle and intended to build his business as its philosophical cornerstone.

“I believe in adherence to the Golden Rule, faith in God and the country,” Penny said.

I don’t know Penny’s religious affiliation, but it is said that he didn’t smoke or drink, and in the early days of his stores demanded the same from his employees. He once said, “I would rather be known as a Christian than a merchant.” Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Great Bible Verses

Tagged as , ,

October 27, 2015 · 7:40 am

5 Suggestions For Developing Patience

farmer on his tractor plowing the field, rural wyoming

In Charles Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip, Charlie Brown asks Linus “What would you do if you felt that nobody liked you?”

Linus responds “Well, Charlie Brown, I guess I would take a real hard look at myself, ask if I am doing anything that turns people off, How can I improve myself? Do I need to change in some way? Yep. that’s my answer Charlie Brown.” Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Patience

Tagged as , ,

October 26, 2015 · 7:07 am

Word of the Week: Adopted

adopted

Yesterday, October 25th , marked a special birthday for the Welievers.  It was 37 years ago that our daughter, Rachél, was born into our family, although her actual birthday is June 4th.

What? Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Word of the Week

Tagged as

October 25, 2015 · 5:33 am

Sunday Seed Thoughts: Open

American author David W. Augsburger whose works revolve around Christianity once wrote, “An open ear is the only believable sign of an open heart.”

This principle is important in all of our relationships.  In our families.  Communities. And professions. Openness is also vital in spiritual relationships. On this Lord’s Day it is important that we enter into worship with an attitude of openness. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts

Tagged as ,

October 22, 2015 · 2:16 am

7 Principles of Personal Growth

Personal Growth

Last night I ended a very enjoyable meeting with the brethren in Anderson, Indiana. They are served by three good men who Shepherd the flock, including Carl (Mac) McMurray who also ministers in the Word.

The attendance was good. The singing was inspiring. The fellowship was warm and friendly. And the brethren were very receptive to the Word. It was the kind of meeting that every preacher enjoys. I’m sure I received as much, if not more, encouragement than I gave. Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Growth

Tagged as , , ,

October 21, 2015 · 5:50 am

GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: James 1:2

Jas 1,2

My favorite author, anonymous, tells the story about his grandfather who worked in a blacksmith shop when he was a boy. He would relate stories of how he had toughened himself up so he could stand the rigors of black smithing.

One story was how he had developed his arm and shoulder muscles. He said he would stand outside behind the house and, with a 5-pound potato sack in each hand, extend his arms straight out to his sides and hold them there as long as he could.

After a while he tried 10-pound potato sacks, then 50-pound potato sacks and finally he got to where he could lift a 100-pound potato sack in each hand and hold his arms straight out for more than a full minute! Continue reading →

2 Comments

Filed under Great Bible Verses

Tagged as , ,

October 20, 2015 · 2:37 am

Serving A False God

Mount Olympus 

Mt Olympus, in ancient Greece, was once regarded the abode of the Greek gods. The deities believed to have dwelt there were Zeus, the king of the gods; his wife Hera; his brothers Poseidon and Hades; his sisters Demeter and Hestia; and his children, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Athena, Hermes and Hephaestus.

I am reminded, however, of a quip by D. L. Moody who once wrote, “You don’t have to go to heathen lands today to find false gods. America is full of them.” Continue reading →

3 Comments

Filed under America

Tagged as , , ,

October 19, 2015 · 6:29 am

Word of the Week: Leadership

spiritual leadership

 

This week finds me in Anderson, Indiana, with my good friends Carl (Mac) and Lorna McMurray, where I am preaching in a meeting at the church where Mac ministers.

Our theme this week is “Spiritual Leadership: Every Believer’s Commitment to Growth.” In the business world we think of a leader as the CEO or president of the company. On a sports team the coach or manager is the leader. And in the church we consider our Elders or Shepherds as the spiritual leaders. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Word of the Week

Tagged as ,

October 18, 2015 · 5:18 am

Sunday Seed Thoughts: Relevant

Seed Thoughts

We often hear the plea for preachers to make the Bible relevant to our modern culture. I think I know what is meant by that statement. However, we don’t have to “make the Bible relevant,” it is relevant. It is pertinent to the problems of our day.

There are answers to the issues we face today in the 21st century. The complex moral and ethical concerns with which learned men grapple can be solved by seeking God’s eternal Truth. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts

Tagged as ,

October 16, 2015 · 6:50 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Laughing in the Face of Death

Ressurection Joy

I’m not in the habit of reading random obituaries, but this one dated August 7, 2012 grabbed my attention.

Virginia Dean Whalen Farless got the last laugh Tuesday evening

According to the obituary in the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal Mrs. Farless was the source of smiles, laughter, jokes and funny stories. It read in part.

“She chuckled in the face of death from the time she was born, the baby child of Thaddeus and Lottie Whalen in Harrison County, KY, on May 10, 1932. She had severe asthma and on many occasions, the doctor predicted to her older brother Gerald that she would not live through the night.”

“She not only lived, but laughed a lot, when she graduated from Oddville High School (perfect), as a funny pastor’s wife in SC, KY and Ashland City, TN, a Kentucky Colonel, and a nurse at Deberry Prison. “ Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!

Tagged as