Grace and Mercy. These two words are often used together in the New Testament.
Detailed definitions are often provided in word studies and commentaries on the meanings and differences between grace and mercy. However, my friend and preaching colleague, Ken Green, posted the following on facebook that says it very eloquently. Continue reading
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Today is February 19, 2017. It’s just another day. Or is it?
For some it might be a special. An anniversary. A birthday. (Like my wife, Norma Jean). Or some other significant occasion.
Maybe for others it’s a day to relax. Sleep in. Play golf. Or go fishing.
For the workaholic, it might be a day to catch up on some project before Monday. Continue reading
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We live in a culture today that has elevated one’s personal happiness to an inordinate, unhealthy, and definitely unscriptural priority.
Leo Rosten, the Polish born Jewish writer once wrote, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. The purpose of life is to matter, to be productive, to have it make some difference that you lived at all. Happiness, in the ancient, noble verse, means self-fulfillment and is given to those who use to the fullest whatever talents God or luck or fate bestowed upon them.” Continue reading
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This morning I’m preaching on “Love is Kind” from 1Corinthians 13:4. Here’s a touching story from that lesson about Joseph Bayly. Three of his seven children died at young ages. So he was intimately acquainted with the pain of death and was all too familiar with what he once called the enemy’s “grim violence.”
From Bayly’s book, A View from the Hearse, he shares this emotional encounter following the burial of one of his sons. Continue reading
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“It’s not a stretch to say that the entire Bible is a book about love,” writes my friend and fellow preacher, Eric Reynolds, from Fayetteville, Tennessee.
Eric continues this thought with these Biblical observations. “Jesus says the greatest commands are to love God and love your neighbor, and that all the law and the prophets hang on these two commands.” (Matt 22:37-40) Continue reading
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In the last week of Jesus’ life, he again finds the temple defiled by the religious leaders. They had turned the court where Gentiles could come and learn about God into a mercenary business, instead of a missionary business.
Jesus said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves” (Matt 21:13). Continue reading
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My wife, Norma Jean, has a little devotional book that relates a neat story about a famous singer scheduled to perform in a Paris opera house. The event was sold out in a short time. Continue reading
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Warren Wiersbe relates the story of a preacher and deacon visiting a prospective member. As they drove up to their beautiful suburban home with gorgeous landscaping there were two expensive cars in the driveway. Through the picture window they saw their prospect relaxing in an easy chair watching a big screen TV. Continue reading
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In the 2007 movie The Bucket List, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman meet in a hospital as roommates where they both learn they are terminally ill.
Nicholson is wealthy, but spoiled. Miserable. And soured on life. Freeman, however, is a middle class auto mechanic who can answer every question on the game show Jeopardy. Continue reading
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Today we hear a lot about inclusiveness in a social or political sense. But it’s important to understand spiritual inclusiveness. The value of each Christian. The role of all members in our church family. The appreciation of everyone’s contribution to our spiritual success.
In a light little ditty, this idea is communicated by an unknown author entitled, “Who Flies the Kite?”
Who flies the kite?
“I”, said the boy, “It is my joy!
I fly the kite.” Continue reading
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