“You’re the busiest retired preacher I know,” quipped a friend of mine one day.
Of course, it depends how you define “retired.” When we left full time, local church work in May 2018, it was never our intention to fully retire from preaching, teaching, writing, and in whatever ways I could be used in ministry. This year has been no exception. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Greetings from Chilly Florida,
Yep. It does get cold in Florida. It didn’t even break 70 degrees yesterday. This morning it was in the lower 40’s. And tomorrow morning it’s predicted to be in the upper 30’s here in Citrus County. Brrrr! It will be tough, but we’ll survive. Seriously, it’s a nice time of year to experience more mild temperatures. Look’s like a predicted mid 70’s for Christmas day. Sweet Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
“Nowhere are we told to celebrate Jesus’ birthday nor are we told when it is! History tells us they didn’t even celebrate birthdays at all in those days.” recently posted Phillip Martin.
Phillip’s post continues with a detailed description of the events of Jesus’ birth,. However, he concludes his post with this poignant thought. “There is no Golgotha if there is no Bethlehem!” Continue reading
Filed under facebook friday
“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?”
This humorous take on the seemingly increasing passage of time from the philosopher Dr. Seuss, definitely rings true for many of us who are older. It seems that the years are gathering speed. Continue reading
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With Christmas just a week away, maybe you can relate to the 90-year-old lady who decided buying Christmas gifts had become a bit too stressful.
However, she wanted to give her family and friends something. So she decided to write out a check for everyone and include it in her Christmas card. With a personal note wishing each a “Merry Christmas” she added, “Buy your own Christmas present this year.” Signed her name. And sent them off.
Filed under Discipleship
The cold blooded murder of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson on a New York City Street was shocking. But even more shocking is the reaction of a sizable number of people following the apprehension of the murderer.
Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old who committed the crime, was well educated and came from family of privilege, apparently felt aggrieved by the health care industry and was making a statement.
According to multiple new sources on both the left and right, ”Mangione’s arrest has turned him into a symbol of resistance for those frustrated by the U.S. health care system.” Wanted posters have popped up around New York City with the pictures of other Health Care CEO’s. Some in social media have hailed Mangione as a hero. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Over seven years ago I received a call from my Uncle, David Key, informing me that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
Early on he wondered if he had a year left. After a treatment protocol was established, doctors believed he might have two, maybe three years. However, he made it more than seven. He just passed from this life December 2, 2024. Continue reading
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Norman Vincent Peale relates this story from his book, Power of the Plus Factor:
”Once walking through the twisted little streets of Kowloon in Hong Kong, I came upon a tattoo studio. In the window were displayed samples of the tattoos available.”
“On the chest or arms you could have tattooed an anchor or flag or mermaid or whatever. But what struck me with force were three words that could be tattooed on one’s flesh, ‘Born to Lose’.” Continue reading
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It was on this date, December 10, 1896, that Alfred Nobel died. Exactly five years to the day, the first Nobel prizes were award in Stockholm, Sweden, in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature and peace.
In his will, Nobel directed that the bulk of his vast fortune be placed in a fund in which the interest would be “annually distributed in the form of prizes to those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.”
However, as the late Paul Harvey used to say, here’s the rest of the story. Continue reading
J. Upton Dickson, who brands himself as a Christian humorist, joked after writing a pamphlet called “Cower Power,” that he was thinking about founding a society called D.O.O.R.M.A.T.S.
It is an acronym for “Dependent Order of Really Meek and Timid Souls.” Their logo would be a yellow caution light. And their motto would be “The meek shall inherit the earth…if that’s okay with everybody.” Of course, Upton quipped, the society didn’t last very long when someone objected! Continue reading
Filed under Fundaments of Faith
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