“Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you,” often quipped Leroy “Satchel” Paige the charismatic pitcher of the old Negro League in the 1920’s and ‘30’s.
“Don’t look back,” apparently was Paige’s philosophy both in baseball and in life. Paige could have been bitter about the times in which he lived which prevented him from playing baseball in the Major League because of segregation. It wasn’t until 1948 at the age of 42 he made his debut with the Cleveland Indians. Continue reading
Filed under Reaching Forward Series
The late, great Hall of Fame New York Yankee catcher, Yogi Berra, was famous not only for his on the field heroics, but his funny off the field quips, which came to be known as Yogi-isms.
He once responded about his witticisms, “I never said most of the things I said.”
After a game, when he was asked about going to a certain restaurant, Yogi responded, “Nobody goes to that restaurant anymore — it’s too crowded.”
Here are a few more. Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship, Reaching Forward Series
While I’m not a Presidential scholar, our recent election may have been the most contentious in history. At least in our lifetime, we’ve not seen anything like this since the 2000 Bush-Gore election hinged on hanging chads and was decided in the Supreme Court on December 12, 2000.
At this point, President Trump still has not conceded to presumptive President-elect, Joe Biden, although the electors have met and the states have certified the election. Trump and his supporters believe the election was stolen. So lawsuits have been filed to overturn the results. 100 U.S. Representatives in the House have publicly sided with the President. Continue reading
Filed under God
“To mask or not to mask,” that is the question of our time. Not just in society in general, but among Christians and church attendees.
In the past 8 months, we’ve worshiped with 14 different congregations in 9 different states. Each one has approached wearing masks in worship differently. Some churches requested everyone wear a mask. Others didn’t, and very few wore masks. In some places, it was suggested, but not required. In one church there were masks and no masks sections.
To all Christians everywhere we suggest, “Take off your masks.” Continue reading
Filed under Discipleship
Ray Stedman, a 20th-century evangelical minister and author, once shared a true story about a Houston man who received a letter from a popular international ministry seeking support for their broadcasting.
The ministry embraced a “health and wealth gospel” stating that since God can’t be out given, He will give back to you if you contribute to their cause. They figured if everyone who listened to their broadcast would send $76 their goal would be met. Furthermore, the letter promised that God would return their offering three times over. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
Jeff Strite tells the story about a farmer in a country restaurant who bowed his head in prayer before eating his breakfast.
Two young fellas at the next table thought it was odd and quietly made fun of him as he prayed. When the farmer finished his prayer, they chided: “Hey old man, does everybody out on the farm pray over their meals?” Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
“God hates” is not an expression we often hear.
We preach about the love of God. We sing about it. We write about it. We read scriptures like “God so loved the world…” (Jn 3:16).
But, “God hates”? Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
S. M. Lockridge (1913-2000) was a prominent African-American preacher known for his dynamic, passionate, and fervent sermons. One of his fiery lessons was “It’s Friday. But Sunday’s coming!”
In the early days of our blogging we wrote a column with that title. For two years we looked at the narrative of Jesus’ crucifixion to see the drastic change in people’s lives and the world’s history from six hours that Friday to very early Sunday morning.
Friday was a metaphor for betrayal. Denial. Cowardice. Hate. Suffering. Despair. Defeat. And death. But Sunday symbolized victory. Help. Hope. Healing. Love. Joy. And eternal life. Continue reading
Filed under COVID-19, It's Friday. But Sunday's Coming!
The 16th century German theologian, Martin Luther is credited with saying “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.”
We understand the value of anything is determined by its investment, either in time, money, or personal sacrifice. When Jesus says, “follow me,” he is calling us, not just to hang out with him, or tag along, but to a devout, different, and dedicated, life. Continue reading
Filed under Passage To Ponder
A woman rushes to see her doctor, looking very much worried and all strung out.
She rattles off, “Doc, take a look at me. When I woke up this morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and saw my hair all wiry and frazzled up, my skin was all wrinkled and pasty, my eyes were blood-shot and bugging out, and I had this corpse-like look on my face!”
“What’s wrong with me, Doc?” Continue reading
Filed under Word of the Week
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