Struggle. Sorrow. Supplication. These words describe Jesus in Gethsemane’s garden as Thursday turned into Friday.
The apostles? Surely they sensed it. The hour was late. Much had happened. The last supper. Washing feet. Judas’ departure. And the ensuing walk across the Kedron valley with Jesus teaching. Encouraging. Comforting. Promising. Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
In twenty days we will turn the page on 2013 to 2014. You know what that means, don’t you? New Year’s Resolutions!
Typically resolutions go like this. “In 2014 I resolve to….. go on a diet. Exercise three times a week. Pay off my credit cards. Text less. Read the Bible daily. Pray daily. Be a better Christian.
So how did that approach work for you this year? How many resolutions survived the first month? Or the first week? Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
Sunday evening on the way to worship service, I noticed a light mist on my car’s windshield. We had a skiff of snow early Sunday morning. So, I wondered out loud, “Is that a spray from the cars in front of me?” Or is that sleet?”
On the way home, we found out. Continue reading
Filed under Life
I have just finished reading Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard’s book Killing Jesus.
O’Reilly has taken some heat for not affirming that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. While there are numerous references to Jesus as the Christ from prophetic references, the preaching of John the Baptist, and the statements of Jesus himself, that was not the purpose of the book. Continue reading
Filed under Jesus
P. R. Van Gorder tells the story of a sculptor who was showing a visitor some marble figures displayed in his studio. One unusual sculpture caught the guest’s attention. It had two peculiar features. Where the statue’s face normally would have been, the sculptor had chiseled a covering of hair, and on both feet were wings. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
You may have heard your preacher tell the story of the drawbridge operator. One version goes like this.
In the 1880’s in a remote part of Scotland there was a man whose sole job was to operate the drawbridge that spanned a mighty river. Most of the day the bridge was raised so boats could pass safely through it. But at least twice a day a train would come along and the bridge must be lowered. Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
“Listening requires more than opening your ears.” This observation is from Bernard Ferrari’s book, “Power Listening: Mastering the Most Critical Business Skill of All.”
I haven’t read Ferrari’s book but saw this quote in a review while glancing through the Spirit Magazine on a Southwest flight between Tampa and Kansas City. The article appeared on their “Life Apps Conversationator” page.
“Ferrari proffers advice on smart conversation habits. Here are five to try.” Show Respect. Listen to everyone. Be quiet. Understand emotions. Ask questions. This brief overview shares some examples on how to be an effective listener in business settings using those techniques. Continue reading
Filed under Communication
Last Sunday while we were in Florida for Thanksgiving, Norma Jean and I visited the SkyviewChurch in Pinellas Park. In the mid-1980’s we were a part of that church-Family. So, it was good to return and see old friends and enjoy fellowship.
For the past 28 years Charles Murray has preached for Skyview and now serves as one of their elders. He’s a good man. And a fine gospel preacher. I’ve been thinking about his sermon. It was Biblical. Practical. And relevant to the needs of our day. His text was 1 Cor 12:31-13:1. Continue reading
Filed under Love, Uncategorized
Some of the recent facebook posts about law and grace reminds me of the story of the 80-year-old woman who was arrested for shoplifting. When she appeared in court, the Judge asked her, “What did you steal?”
“A can of peaches,” She replied.
When the Judge asked her why, she said that she was hungry. “How many peaches were in the can?” asked the Judge.
“Six.”
The Judge said, “Then I will give you six days in jail.”
Before the Judge could pronounce the sentence, the woman’s husband spoke up and asked if he could say something. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
“If you could have the perfect family,” asked Barbara Walters on “The View, “What would you like?”
“Anyone who will love me,” replied Davion.
All of his life, he’s been waiting for a family. For fifteen years he’s lived in foster care. Waiting. Praying. Hoping. Now he decided to take matters into his own hands. Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
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