March 24, 2015 · 9:21 am

7 Steps To Overcoming Bad Habits

Habits

With the baseball just around the corner, I’m reminded of a story by Tommy Lasorda, the great Dodger manager, as he described his battle to overcome bad habits.

“I took a pack of cigarettes from my pocket, stared at it and said, “Who’s stronger, you or me?” The answer was me. I stopped smoking.

Then I took a vodka martini and said to it, “Who’s stronger, you or me?” Again the answer was me. I quit drinking.

Then I went on a diet. I looked at a big plate of linguine with clam sauce and said, “Who’s stronger, you or me?” Continue reading →

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March 23, 2015 · 8:44 am

WORD OF THE WEEK: GOODNESS

Goodness

When Norma Jean and I lived in Tennessee we had some wonderful neighbors, Phil and Fe Stack. They were retired Doctors. They were friendly, kind-hearted folks.

Phil’s background as a Psychiatrist coupled with his religious beliefs gave him a unique insight into human behavior. Phil and I had many “backyard visits” about world problems and the human condition

One day we were discussing problems in our public schools and Phil asked, “Do you know what would solve those problems?”

“What?” Continue reading →

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March 20, 2015 · 7:46 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Some Things Are More Important

Cross Gold Pocket

Yesterday was an exciting beginning to the NCAA basketball tournament. There were upsets. Overtimes. Controversial calls. One point victories. And heart breaking losses.

The outcome of each game was important to their, players, coaches and fans. Yet in the midst of the adrenalin rush of these nail-biting contests, I am reminded of a statement by the late and legendary UCLA coach, John Wooden. Continue reading →

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March 19, 2015 · 7:57 am

7 Lessons Christians Can Learn from the Sports World

NCAA Championship Game: Butler v Duke

Do you have your bracket filled out? Now if you have no idea what the question means you are obviously not a basketball fan.

Today begins in earnest “The Road to the Final Four!” It’s  the quest for the NCAA championship in men’s basketball. It’s called March Madness!

The tournament reminds me that the qualities for success in the sports world are so similar to those we need to acquire as Christians. The apostle Paul must have been a sports fan. Because he frequently used sports metaphors to make spiritual points. Consider these two passages. Continue reading →

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March 18, 2015 · 6:45 am

GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE John 4:24

Bible.Universe

I recently read about a congregation that decided to have four different worship services each Sunday to appeal to distinct groups of worshipers.

There was one service for those new to the faith. Another for those who liked traditional worship. The third service was for those who’d lost their faith and would like to get it back. And last service for those who had bad experiences with churches and were complaining about it.

They even identified each service with its own name. Guess what they called them? Continue reading →

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March 17, 2015 · 8:49 am

“Fight Hate With Love”

MegynKelly Isaac Hill

Last week the national news was dominated by the release of a disgusting video from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the University of Oklahoma.

Two fraternity members, Parker Rice and Levi Pettit, have been expelled for their role in leading the racist sing-a-long. The chant included racial slurs of African-Americans, boasting they would never be members of their fraternity. And even included the words “You can hang ‘em from a tree.” Continue reading →

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March 16, 2015 · 8:39 am

Word Of The Week: Trust

Trust

For 15 years the hit TV show, Survivor, has captivated viewers while becoming a legend in the world of reality TV.

Every year they mix it up with different cast members, novel twists and a new location. But the premise is pretty much unchanged. Every week they have a different contest to see who will win immunity and keep them from getting booted off the Island!

Survivor contestants try to gain support from one another. It’s a matter of trusting one another, but the reality is…no one trusts anyone else! Why? Because the last remaining survivor will win a million dollars! Continue reading →

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March 13, 2015 · 7:28 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! The Word Was Made Flesh

Jesus.Names.2

Of all the names, titles and designations that describe and honor Jesus probably none is more unique than the one ascribed by John.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

Word. Jesus is the Word. How do we know? The context tells us.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) Continue reading →

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March 12, 2015 · 7:39 am

Guard Your Heart

Guard Your Heart

According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) heart disease continues to be the number one cause of death in the United States.

Heart disease claims more lives each year than all forms of cancer. This is true for both men and women. Not surprisingly both our federal government and the heath care industry is very proactive in educating the public about heart problems. We are warned about habits that harm the heart. About foods that are unhealthy. The importance of physical exercise. And the need for medical checkups. Continue reading →

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March 11, 2015 · 6:53 am

GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: Proverbs 4:23

Proverbs 4.23

Remember Steve Irwin? The Crocodile Hunter? He lived life on the edge. And his shows were exciting to watch. Do you recall how he died?

Many people thought a crocodile would finally take his life, or at least claim a limb. Irwin survived many dangers. Countless snake bites. Being chased up a tree by a deadly Komodo dragon. Spat on by a red spitting cobra. And being pulled into the water by a massive crocodile. But none of those claimed his life. Continue reading →

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