October 15, 2013 · 6:53 am

Today We Sail On!

Sailing

Yesterday’s facebook “Perryism”, posted by my friend  Perry Hall: “Columbus Day, the day we celebrate a man who got lost and didn’t stop to ask directions.”

Well, Perry, I’m not so sure there was much celebrating yesterday!   Except for banks being closed and not receiving any mail, I really couldn’t tell it was a holiday!  Of course, Columbus Day is about as popular today in the media as the NFL Washington Redskins.

Yet, Columbus was a great explorer.  And while we bear the name of Amerigo Vespucci, who reached the continental mainland in 1497, Christopher Columbus is honored and remembered for discovering “the New World.” Continue reading →

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October 14, 2013 · 7:09 am

Word of the Week: Victory

Nike

Twenty-five years ago the advertising agency of Wieden and Kennedy teamed up with a fast growing shoe company, Nike, to produce the most iconic slogan in all of sports “Just Do It.”

To celebrate and  commemorate this anniversary, Nike has recently launched a new ad campaign called “Possibilities.”  The first 90 second commercial featured NBA super-star LeBron James and Tennis champion Serena Williams with actor Bradley Cooper narrating.  More ads have been released in the past few weeks.

The “Possibilities” ads proclaim you are capable of more.  Push your perceived limitations.  Overcome your challenges.  Just Do It!

The commercials are engaging.  Motivating!  Inspiring! A brilliant move by Nike.   But do you know what Nike means? Did you know Nike is a Bible word? Continue reading →

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October 11, 2013 · 5:27 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! From Darkness To Light

Cross.Tomb.Darkness.Light

Lloyd Leavitt has lived all of his life in Barrow, Alaska.  For 57 years he has endured the cold.  The snow.  The sub-zero freeze that blankets the little town on the farthest northern tip of the state.  But he’ll tell you that what really gets to him are the weeks of continual darkness.

In Barrow the sun sets on November 18 and it doesn’t rise again until January 24th.  For sixty-five days the sun doesn’t shine!  “There comes a time,” Leavitt says, “when you don’t know if it’s morning or evening; you get confused.”  Continue reading →

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October 10, 2013 · 6:35 am

Twelve Things I Know About Heaven, Part Three

Heaven.3

Max Dawson is a friend of mine and a fellow preacher.  Following Monday’s first post about heaven, Max made this observation.

“Lots of folks say they have gone to heaven. They then come back to tell us all about what heaven is like. The Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 12:1-6) was caught up to heaven. Whatever it was that he saw and heard, he said it “is not lawful for a man to utter.” Amazing that folks claim to be able to tell something that the apostle was not permitted to tell.”  Continue reading →

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October 9, 2013 · 7:12 am

Twelve Things I Know About Heaven, Part Two

 Heaven.2

Eben Alexander is a board certified neurosurgeon.  In 2008 he was driven into a coma by a mysterious bacterial meningitis.  On the seventh day he surprisingly began to awaken.  He claims that during the coma he was taken on a journey into the next life by an angelic being and actually talked to God! Continue reading →

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October 8, 2013 · 6:57 am

Twelve Things I Know About Heaven, Part One

Heaven.1

“Heaven is for Real” is the story of a four-year old boy, Colton Burpo, who almost died on the operating table during emergency surgery.  When he recovered, Colton claims that he went to heaven.  The book is written by his father, Todd, a Nebraska  preacher, who describes what heaven is like.

It has sold over one million copies and was #1 on the NY Times best seller list.

Why the popularity?  The interest?  The intrigue?  Because people wonder what happens after death.  They want some answers into the next life.  They are curious about heaven and want to know what it’s like. Continue reading →

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October 7, 2013 · 7:23 am

Word of the Week: Stimulate

Stimulate

Robert Schuller tells a story about a banker who always tossed a coin in the cup of a legless beggar who sat on the street outside the bank. But, unlike most people, the banker would always insist on getting one of the pencils the man had beside him.

 “You are a merchant,” the banker would say, “and I always expect to receive good value from merchants I do business with.” Continue reading →

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October 4, 2013 · 7:05 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! In Honor and Memory of Ted Brewer

TedBrewer(This post was the second most viewed by our readers in2013)

I’ve said it before.  I hate death.  I hate the sorrow it brings.  I hate the emptiness it leaves.  I hate the relationships it ruptures.  I hate the burden it bears.

And Death ever lurks.  Looking over our shoulder.  Sneering. Leering.  Waiting to strike.  Leaving its hurt.  And about the time we’ve had some healing, death invades our homes and hearts again.

It seems to be happening all too often lately.  Last Sunday I received one of the calls.  I knew by the voice.  The tone.  The words that said, “Have you heard…..”  This time is was my friend Ted Brewer. Continue reading →

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October 3, 2013 · 6:48 am

The Battle Belongs to the Lord

Bible.Soldier

There is a war that is raging!  We can deny it.  Dismiss it.  Or Ignore it.  But the war is real.  The battles are intense.  And the conflicts impact us all.

The war I’m writing about today is not in Afghanistan.  Syria.  Or Kenya .  I’m not discussing current culture wars in America.  Nor am I referring to the conflicts between political parties, or the battles between the White House and Congress.

The war that concerns me is more serious than all of those combined.  Continue reading →

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October 2, 2013 · 7:16 am

Stewardship of Talent and Treasure

        Stewardship.Time.Talent.Teasure

Rick Ashley, in his book Sinai Summit , tells the story of an American Jew visiting the land of his parents.  He went to visit the famous teacher Rabbi Chaim.  When the American entered the home of the Rabbi, he was amazed at the stark living conditions.  All that Chaim had was a table, a bench, and a little pallet.

Shocked, the visitor asked, “Rabbi, where is all your furniture.”

Chaim responded to his guest, “Where is all your furniture?”  Continue reading →

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