Motivational speaker, trainer, and author Glenn Van Ekeren, illustrates the benefits of giving through the life of John D. Rockefeller.
Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil Company, was considered the wealthiest American of his time. Yet, it is said that by age 58 his life was a wreck. He worried that his success was temporary. Van Ekeren writes “He became sick physically, mentally and emotionally. There was no humor, balance, or joy in his life. Continue reading
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The story’s told that once President Franklin D. Roosevelt was preparing a speech and he needed some economic statistics to back up a point he was trying to make. His advisers said it would take six months to get accurate figures.
“In that case, I’ll just use these rough estimates,” FDR said, and he wrote down some numbers in his text. “They’re reasonable figures and they support my point. “Besides,” he added as an afterthought, “it will keep my critics busy for at least six months just to prove me wrong.” Continue reading
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Some pundits have called tomorrow’s election the “most consequential mid-term election in history.” This follows what was labled two years ago as the “most consequential Presidential election in history.”
Although I didn’t research it, you could probably find many past elections in the storied history of America as being called “the most consequential.”
Now, I’m not minimizing the importance of exercising our right to vote. Norma Jean and I have already voted and carried our ballot to our drop off site. Interestingly, a friend saw my “I voted” sticker and joking said, “Did you vote for the right people?” (At least I think he was joking.) Continue reading
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“I didn’t feel anyone cared whether I was there or not.”
This was the response of 75% of the respondents who were asked in a survey why they had left the church.
Not surprisingly, research has shown that the more relationships a person develops in a congregation, the less likely they are to leave, or become inactive.
A British preacher, Daniel Harman, offered this observation. Continue reading
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We’re in the Smoky Mountains this week and bears are everywhere. Not just literal bears, but stuffed animal bears, ceramic bears and wood carved bears you can take home for a souvenir.
There’s a man here in Cosby that will carve you a full sized bear standing up. It reminds me of the story of a man who carved art out of logs using a chain saw. His specialty was carving the shape of an angry bear. He loved for people to ask him how he did it. His answer? Continue reading
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From the Best of Bits and Pieces is this humorous story.
Everybody but Sam had signed up for a new company pension plan that called for a small employee contribution. The company was paying the rest.
Unfortunately, 100% employee participation was needed; otherwise the plan was off. Sam’s boss and his fellow workers pleaded with him to sign the new pension plan, but he wouldn’t do it. Continue reading
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Last Thursday evening Norma Jean and I were privileged to attend the Florida College Leadership Dinner and hear former Vice-President Mike Pence share a message about servant-leadership.
Mr. Pence spoke of qualities that have served him well as he’s navigated the world of business and politics. From his humble beginnings growing up in a small Indiana town, to a seat in Congress, to the Governors’ mansion in Indiana, to the Vice Presidency, Mr. Pence emphasized the importance of faith, family and service. Continue reading
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Norma Jean and I have recently returned from a trip to Ontario, Canada. We drove 4,000 miles. During the entire time, I used a GPS.
My #1 GPS choice is WAZE. But occasionally, I would use Google maps. Or Apple. And once in a while the GPS on my Ford Expedition.
The GPS mapped the way for us to arrive at our destination. It provided the most direct route. When obstacles such as road closures, traffic jams, or road construction occurred, the GSP either offered us a brief detour or advised us to stay the course because the slowdown would be brief. Continue reading
Filed under Renew in '22, Word of the Week
This week I’m teaching the adult class for the Wellandport VBS. They’re using the Shaping Hearts for God Series, “Having a Heart For God.” It’s centered around the narrative of King David.
When you think of David, what qualities come to mind? Continue reading
Filed under Heart, Word of the Week
I recently read about two men who were coaches in the National Football League. Both won two Super Bowls. Both are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both were considered winners in their profession. But each had different life priorities.
The first was a college coach, but when he became a head coach in the NFL he divorced his wife of 26 years saying that he no longer needed “the social prop of a spouse” which was helpful in recruiting college players. He said that winning football games was his #1 priority in life. And his two sons were #2 Continue reading
Filed under Renew in '22, Word of the Week
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