Missouri minister William Hooper tells a story about a mother working in the kitchen and hearing her 7 year-old son screaming at the top of lungs.
When she ran into the next room to see what was wrong, she discovered her 2 year-old daughter was pulling her brother’s hair.
After unclenching the baby’s hand she says to her son who’s very angry, “You have to overlook this. Your sister doesn’t know what it feels like to have her hair pulled.” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
The late Erskine “Erk” Russell was an American football, basketball, track and baseball player and coach.
For 17 years Russell served as the defensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs (1964-1981). As the first head coach of the Georgia Southern Eagles (1981-1989), he revived the program from a “40 year dormancy” and “established a standard of excellent during his tenure.”
Known for his creative but unorthodox methods Russell once pulled this stunt at Georgia Southern to discourage his players from getting involved in drugs. Continue reading
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“In the deep recesses of man’s soul lies an overwhelming yearning toward the Creator,” penned A. W. Tozer in the beginning lines of his book “Experiencing the Presence of God.”
That yearning has been described and depicted in various ways by a variety of authors over the years.
Mike Cope calls it a “holy hunger.”
Martin De Hann refers to it as a “radical reliance.” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder, Psalms
“Conscience tells us that we ought to do right, but it does not tell us what right is–that we are taught by God’s word,” once wrote the 19th century editor and author H. C. Trumbull.
This text deals with matters of conscience, Christian freedom, and personal responsibility. It speaks to our relationship to fellow Christians to respect their conscience, while not allowing others’ conscience to be our guide. Continue reading
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John W. Gardner, who wrote the book “Excellence” says we have the potential to make a difference, not only in our own lives. But also in the lives of those we meet.
Gardner illustrates that point by relating the true story of a cheerful gentleman who invested his life in others.
When the old fellow met people he never asked the conventional questions that we usually ask such as “What do you do for a living?” He always asked, “What have you done that you believe in and you are proud of?” Continue reading
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Names mean something.
For instance in America when you hear the name Patrick Henry, you think of patriotism, heroism, and courage. “Give me liberty, or give me death!” he proclaimed.
On the other hand, Benedict Arnold conjurers up thoughts of betrayal, treason and disgrace. Continue reading
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Good Samaritan Hospital. Good Samaritan Clinic. Good Samaritan Society. Good Samaritan Inn. Good Samaritan Community. Good Samaritan Church.
Good Samaritan Academy.
All of the above plus Samaritan’s Purse, Samaritan Project, Samaritan Ministry and many more institutions of mercy derive their name from today’s text and its hero, identified for all time as “The Good Samaritan.” Continue reading
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Today’s text reminds us of the popular hymn penned by Julia H. Johnston (1849-1919), “Grace Greater Than Our Sin.”
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured–
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt {shed}
In Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul takes them (and us) from the depths of despair and Satan’s snare to the heights of greater hope and infinite glory. Continue reading
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Remember the Ukrainian born comedian Yakov Smirnoff who began his career in Russia, then migrated to the United States? He’s actually still performing in Branson.
When Smirnoff first came to the US he said that he was not prepared for the incredible variety of instant products available in grocery stores. “On my first shopping trip, I saw powered milk. You just add water, and you get milk.” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Sunday our family visited the Skyview Church in Pinellas Park where Charles Murray serves as one of the pastors as well as a preacher.
His sermon text was from Psalm 136 on the topic of “Thanksgiving,” which is a wonderful passage for us to ponder prior to our American Thanksgiving Day. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder, Psalms
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