A couple of years ago I had a meeting in Wellandport, Ontario, Canada. Norma Jean and I stayed with our good friends Mike and Sherry Stephens.
During the week Mike was telling me about the wood mantel above his fireplace. It was a beam from his grandfather’s barn in Lincoln County, Kentucky. When I went to look at the beam, sitting on it with other pictures was a stone plaque engraved with these words that I’ve not forgotten. Continue reading
Filed under Sunday Seed Thoughts
Last week in a post from 1Corinthians 13:5, we wrote about “(Love) keeps no record of wrongs.”
In response, one of our regular readers, Stephen, commented, “forgiving someone isn’t a license for them to keep on running over you (continue hurting you through their actions).” He then mentioned the analogy of Lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown and asked that I write about this issue.
It was a classic every football season for several years in the Peanuts comic strip. Charlie Brown practicing his place kicking and Lucy holding the football.
Filed under Forgiveness, Love
“Great Bible Themes” is the focus of the 36th annual Southside Lecture. My preaching colleagues and I began with four fundamental lessons that speak to human need and God’s empathy for the human race.
Don Truex addressed “The Disastrous Effects of Sin.” Roger Shouse shared “The Vastness and Beauty of God’s Love.” Kenny Moorer expounded on “The Wideness of God’s Mercy.” And I spoke of “The Joy of Fellowship with God.”
These four great themes deal with the reality of life. The nature of mankind. The need that is common to us. And the nature and personality of our Creator. Continue reading
In his Thought for the Day, Alan Smith tells the story of a patient who had skipped a Doctor’s appointment. When he finally showed up, this conversation ensued.
Doctor: “I see you’re over a month late for your appointment. Don’t you know that nervous disorders require prompt and regular attention? What’s your excuse?”
Patient: “I was just following your orders, Doc.”
Doctor: “Following my orders? What are you talking about? I gave you no such order.” Continue reading
Filed under Love
Paul Fritz calls them “the triad of Christian virtues.” R. Davies wrote, “These three graces form the essential elements of the Christian character. An unknown author referred to them as the “the holy and beautiful sisterhood of Christians virtues.”
And what are they? Continue reading
Filed under Great Bible Verses
Doctor: “I see you’re over a month late for your appointment. Don’t you know that nervous disorders require prompt and regular attention? What’s your excuse?”
Patient: “I was just following your orders, Doc.”
Doctor: “Following my orders? What are you talking about? I gave you no such order.” Continue reading
Filed under Love, Relationships
The Protestant reformer Martin Luther called it “the gospel in miniature.”
Biblical Commentator William Barclay wrote that it is “the very essence of the Gospel.”
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy stated, “This is the promise that bears hope for the hopeless.”
Gospel preacher, Robert Jackson, entitled it “The greatest sentence ever written.” Continue reading
Filed under Gospel
It’s early Thursday morning. The darkness has given way to dawn here in Wainfleet, Ontario, Canada. Coffee is brewing. It’s going to be another great day!
However, there’s a bit of sadness setting in. Today is our last day before returning home. While it’s always good to get home, this trip has been special. It has been a week of firsts. Our first trip to Niagara Falls. My first meeting with a church in Canada. The first time we’ve spent the week in a 5th wheel RV. And the first time we’ve eaten French Fries with gravy!
But more importantly it has been an opportunity to share the gospel and enjoy fellowship with the Wellandport brethren. They’ve been gracious. Giving. And Generous. In their encouragement. Kindness. And support. And none more so than our hosts for the week, Michael and Sherry Stephens. Continue reading
Filed under Love
“How do we hold to “both” values that homosexuality is a sin but that gays shouldn’t be discriminated against? — or in Africa, killed”
This question was one of several that I began answering yesterday raised by one of my regular readers. It was in response to a post last week “What is Truth?”
The same reader previously asked a very probing and important question regarding the Christian’s attitude and treatment of homosexuals. Continue reading
Filed under Homosexuality, Love
George Matheson, born in 1842, was a Scottish minister and hymn writer. In his teenage years Matheson was diagnosed with a disease that would render him blind by age 20.
However, he was undeterred by this potential setback. Determined to get an education, Matheson entered the University of Glasgow and graduated with honors. Continue reading
Filed under It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
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