A friend of mine from Florida, Pat Weinmann, posted the above photo on my facebook page. I clicked, and it has been shared 34,000 times and liked by more than 9,000 people. So, it definitely resonated with many viewers.
I appreciate Pat sharing it. And the message is accurate. A successful 30-minute sermon is preceded by hours of research, reading, prayer, and study. In fact, it is often the cumulation of years of preparation that results in the presentation. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Growth
My late college room-mate, David Lewis, used to write a blog called “the mannaman’s blog.” His goal was to impart the bread of life from Jesus. In one of his post he relates what it was like for a Jewish boy growing up in Israel who desired to be a Rabbi.
“To be a Rabbi was the greatest thing in the whole world. Because they knew the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) was the passion of the Rabbi, they spent most of their time in the synagogues and schools learning it. Unbelievably, by the time they were 10, if they were able to memorize all five books, they were given a special invitation to become part of a gifted and talented program where by age 14, the goal was to memorize the entire Old Testament.” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Several years ago I attended a seminar and heard a guy, Mike, tell the story about going to a movie. The movie began and the projector wasn’t correctly focused so that the images on the screen were distorted. After a minute or so and the problem was not corrected, a fellow stood up and turned back toward the projectionist and yelled FOCUS!” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Focus, Life
If you asked me, “Do you work-out?” I would say, “Yes. Usually on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.”
However, in the past month, I’ve been away on two trips that’s affected my regular routine. Yesterday, I realized that it had been more than three weeks since I had worked-out. I had gotten out of the habit. And it was hard to get going again.
As I pushed myself to finish the Elliptical machine, I thought of the parallel spiritually and was reminded of Paul’s exhortation in I Timothy 4:7-8. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
“When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song,” tenor Luciano Pavarotti relates. “He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teachers college. On graduating, I asked my father, ‘Shall I be a teacher or a singer?’ Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Hey baseball fans, ready for a trivia question? Who was Clint Courtney?
Don’t bother checking Cooperstown. He never made it to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He never became a baseball legend. He wasn’t a great player. He didn’t break any records–only bones. He wasn’t a power hitter. He only hit 38 home runs in his entire career. He had little speed on the base paths. And to quote one sports writer, “ As for grace and style, he made the easiest play look rather difficult!” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
George Whitfield conducted outdoor evangelistic campaigns in the 1700’s throughout the American colonies, a period of revival called the “Great Awakening.”
Thousands responded to his Gospel message. Once he was asked how many were converted after one of his sermons. He replied, “We’ll know in five years.” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Yesterday Norma Jean and I spent the day driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. The leaves appear to be at their peak and it is gorgeous. But to break up the drive we stopped at Mount Mitchell and walked to the top. It’s the highest peak East of the Mississippi.
We also stopped at Linville Falls and hiked from the Ranger station to the Falls. The trail was rocky. Uneven. And overgrown with roots. There were places where the trail was slippery. Rugged. And steep. In fact, it was uphill…both ways! Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living, Discipleship
About three weeks ago I experienced some lower back problems. Again! Since moving I had neglected regular visits to the Chiropractor. Now I was paying the price. Fortunately, through the recommendation of a friend I’ve found a good Doctor and am receiving excellent treatments.
But I learned something that surprised me. I was asked to sit on an exercise ball. Hold my foot off the ground for 30 seconds. I could only do it for 5 seconds! The Doc said the muscles that control my balance were weak. He pointed out that often when we work-out we think of aerobic exercise or weight training, but neglect the core. The weakness of those muscles will affect my back! And have an impact on his adjustments holding. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Discipline
Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus.
Do you know who they are? In what book of the Bible are they mentioned? Old or New Testament? You won’t find them in Hebrews 11–The Spiritual “Hall of Fame.”
More than likely they are reserved for the answer to a Bible Trivia game. They are filed under Miscellaneous. Unidentified. Or unknown.
Give up? Continue reading
Filed under Encouragement
ThePreachersWord 