“The Bible is not an end in itself, but a means to bring men to an intimate and satisfying knowledge of God, that they may enter into Him, that they may delight in His Presence, may taste and know the inner sweetness of the very God Himself in the core and center of their hearts,” wrote A. W. Tozer, in The Pursuit of God.
“The primary purpose of reading the Bible,” opined James Merritt “is not to know the Bible but to know God.” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
“Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing,” opined Oscar Wilde the Irish poet, playwright, and novelist.
Since Wilde lived in the 19th century, I wonder what he would think today?
In an age of ethical relativism, moral degradation, and spiritual malaise, it almost seems as if everyone and everything has its price. But there are some things that are priceless. They have value beyond monetary measure. Beyond a price tag. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
My wife, Norma Jean, is a wonderful cook. This is not just the opinion of a prejudiced husband, just ask anyone who has been the recipient of her culinary delights.
Among the favorites of our kids, grandkids and college students are her homemade rolls. She uses the receipt from my Mom, and so they are affectionately called “Mattie Rolls.”
I asked her “how much yeast does it take to make a batch?” She said two tablespoons will make 48 rolls. The yeast is mixed into the other ingredients and is unseen, but produces a wonderfully delicious result. Continue reading
Filed under Parables of Jesus, Passage To Ponder
Richard Swenson is a physician, futurist, and author who wrote a book entitled, “Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives.”He describes modern society as harried, hassled, and overloaded with no room left for rest.
Dr Swenson observes, “Overload is not having time to finish the book you’re reading on stress. Margin is having time to read it twice. Overload is fatigue. Margin is energy. Overload is red ink. Margin is black ink. Overload is hurry. Margin is calm. Overload is anxiety. Margin is security. Overload is a disease of our day. Margin is the cure.” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Steve Shepherd tells a story about some construction workers who drove to their local lumber yard. One of them walked into the office and said, “We need some four-by-twos.”
“You mean two-by-fours, don’t you?” The clerk asked.
The man said, “I’ll go check,” and went back to the truck. He returned and said, “Yeah, I meant two-by-fours.”
“All right. How long do you need them?” asked the clerk. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder, Psalms
The author Norman Vincent Peale was known for popularizing the “Power of Positive Thinking.” He once related the story of a stranger recognizing and approaching him on a New York City.
“Please, Dr. Peale, you have to help me, I’ve got some problems, and I just can’t handle them any more,” the man cried desperately as he grabbed him by the lapels of his coat.
“If you will let go of my coat,” Peale replied, “I will take you to a place that is full of people who don’t have any problems. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder, Psalms
The late Herb Caen was a journalist and humorist who wrote a a daily column for the San Francisco Chronicle. He once wrote this humorous piece.
“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle; when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
In one of his sermons W. A. Criswell told a story about the president of a great railway system who died.
“The funeral service was held at two o’clock on a weekday afternoon. At that exact moment, every train came to a dead stop. Every wheel ceased to turn. Every workman dropped his tools. Every clerk turned from his files. For three minutes, the entire vast railway system came to a complete stop.” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Church growth. It’s a topic of interest to most preachers and pastors. Especially, as we witness the decline of so many churches today. And too often see young people leaving the church.
If you google church growth you will receive 402,000,000 responses in .50 seconds, which offer these insights. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon and a little brother and sister were playing “Noah and the Ark.”
An old shoe box was their ark. The bathtub was their flood. And all their plastic, toy animals were safe in the ark.
After the flood was over, they decided to offer a sacrifice to God. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Passage To Ponder
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