The church is full of hypocrites.
White people are racists.
Black people hate white people.
Men are all afraid of commitment.
Poor people are lazy.
Rich people are greedy. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Mark Twain
Waving The Bible
President Trump has been criticized this week for his photo op when he walked from the White House to the historical St. John’s Church that had been set on fire by some protestors and was photographed waving a Bible.
There are conflicting news reports whether the President ordered peaceful protestors cleared from the area to walk to St John’s. Or if Attorney General William Barr had already ordered the protestors to be moved back a block for safety. Continue reading
Filed under Bible
Lord, Give Me Wisdom
“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
These familiar words, often seen on plaques, were written by the American theologian, Richard Niebuhr, and is commonly known as “The Serenity Prayer.” They speak to challenges we all face in life. But the ability to properly deal with our ever changing and often unexpected circumstances hinges on wisdom. Continue reading
I’m Not Ashamed of the Gospel
The 19th century American Humorist, Samuel Clemens a.k.a. Mark Twain was known as a critic of organized religion. He often poked fun at preachers and their preaching.
One Sunday Twain attended a Sunday service. Afterward, he met the preacher at the door and said he had a book at home with every word he preached that morning.
The minister assured him that the sermon was an original. Twain still held his position. So the preacher demanded to see this book. Twain said he would send it over to his office the next morning. Continue reading
Filed under Gospel
Finding Joy In All Circumstances
I have seen the above snow scene with its accompanying advice posted on facebook several times lately. And most recently by my preaching colleague John Maddocks in Toronto, Canada. I suspect John will have opportunities for a lot of joy this winter.
While this thought may elicit a chuckle, it speaks to a universal truth and a Biblical principle. Accept the inevitable. Learn to be content. And find joy in all circumstances.
The apostle Paul expressed it this way. Continue reading
Filed under Joy
Burn Your Bridges
This story may be apocryphal, but it is said that when Alexander the Great, who created an empire that stretched from his home in Macedonia to India, arrived in Persia in 334BC he ordered his ships burned.
As his few thousand troops were facing a few hundred thousand of the enemy, one of his commanders asked, “How will we get home?” Continue reading
Filed under Christian Living
4 Reasons To Read the Bible
In his book, “God in My Corner,” former heavyweight boxing champion, George Foreman, shares this personal story about the Bible.
“In 1974, before I went to Africa to fight Muhammad Ali, a friend gave me a Bible to take along on my trip. He said, “George, keep this with you for good luck.”
“I believed the Bible was just a shepherd’s handbook, probably because the only verse I knew was “the Lord is my shepherd.” But I was always looking for luck, so I carried that Bible with me. I had lucky pennies and good luck charms, so now I added the “lucky” Bible to my collection of superstitious items.” Continue reading
Filed under Bible
Word of the Week: Obedience
The American Humorist, Mark Twain, told it, so it must be true! Supposedly he once overheard a prominent and wealthy businessman, known for his ruthless behavior, brag, “Before I die I’m making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Then I’m going to Mt.Sinai, climb to top and read the Ten Commandments.” Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
A Drastic Change!
Wow! I awoke this morning to find that Fall is gone and Winter has come to Kansas City! The thermometer on my porch reads 20 degrees!
So, I turned to Action 41 Weather to learn what was going on. With charts and graphics, Meteorologist Kalee Dionne explained it had something to do with a cold Arctic air mass dipping down into the United States. Well, I believe it! And Kalee didn’t make me feel better my reporting it was actually 18 in Lee’s Summit with a wind chill of 7 degrees! Brrrr! Continue reading
Filed under Change
Word of the Week: Kind
Marilyn Irlbacher. You’ve probably never heard of her. And I doubt you will remember her name. But you won’t forget her story.
She was only eight years old. Living in a less than desirable foster care home. She worried about the 50 cents she owed her school for some lost books. Unless she paid the fine, Marilyn wouldn’t get her fourth-grade report card.
When she was told that was the case, little Marilyn ran from the school-house in tears. She didn’t have 50 cents. And the very thought of asking her foster parents for the money terrified her. As she ran down the street, she didn’t see the tall man in her path until she ran into him.
“Here’s the rest of the story” In her own words. Continue reading
Filed under Kindness, Word of the Week
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