With Christmas fast approaching, I’m reminded of the 90-year-old lady who, one Christmas, found buying presents a bit much.
So she decided to give checks to all of her family and friends. She bought a nice card with a thoughtful message to mail with the checks. At the bottom of the card, she wrote, “Buy your own present,” signed her name, then sent them off. Continue reading
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I can remember as a child my mother scolding me for something I did in public that was improper by saying “There is a time and a place for everything. And this isn’t the time or the place.”
When we became parents, we taught our children the same value. Now they are working to pass that on to their children. Of course, it’s a never-ending job when kids are small to help them understand what is proper in private is not necessarily proper in public.
Our word of the week, propriety, sounds old-fashioned and outdated, but it is a much-needed virtue today. Continue reading
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There is a Chinese legend about a group of elderly, cultured gentlemen who met often to exchange wisdom and drink tea. Each host tried to find the finest and most costly varieties, to create exotic blends that would arouse the admiration of his guests.
One day when the most venerable and respected of the group entertained, he served his tea with unprecedented ceremony, measuring the leaves from a golden box. The assembled epicures praised this exquisite tea. Continue reading
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The other day we were driving through downtown Atlanta on the way to Florida and saw for the first time the eye-catching Corey Tower.
Corey Tower is a massive, 300-foot tall structure located where 1-20, I-75 and I-85 converge. It claims to be viewed by over 1 million people each day and is “labeled as one of Atlanta’s most powerful branding icons.” Its centerpiece is a 2000 square foot digital display with messaging and graphics 24 hours a day.
As we drove through the city we were struck by its simple, but profound three-word message: Continue reading
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During the past month on the road, we have not been watching very much TV, especially here in the Smoky Mountains. Except for a bit of morning news and an occasional Hallmark movie at night Norma Jean and I have preferred the beauty and serenity of our surroundings.
However, we have seen enough to long for the mid-term elections to be over. The political ads and the rhetoric is heated and vitriolic on both sides. Now in the aftermath of the terrible mass shooting at the Philadelphia synagogue, there are renewed calls for civility among our political leaders. Continue reading
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Yesterday Norma Jean and I worshiped with the brethren in Cosby, Tennessee, and I preached for them at the morning service. It was a pleasure to fellowship with these fine folks again.
Olie Williamson has labored with this church for over 20 years. He and his sweet wife, Mary have done a good work at Cosby. And the current state of the congregation is evidence of his patience, preaching and Bible teaching.
Olie is 86, but he is active and energetic. He loves the Lord. Loves the brethren at Cosby. And loves the Truth. We have been recipients of their hospitality or more than one occasion. And appreciate their kindness and fellowship. Continue reading
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This week Norma Jean and I are in the Dayton, Ohio, area, where I’m holding a meeting for the Kettering Church. We lived here and worked with this fine congregation back in the mid-1970’s. It’s a pleasure to return and see the wonderful work in which they are engaged.
Our theme is “Pressing toward the Prize.” The point of the meeting and the thesis of the lessons can be summed up in our word of the week. Forward.
Writing from a Roman prison, the aged apostle Paul, toward the end of his life, wrote these challenging words. Continue reading
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In his excellent book “Renewing Your Spiritual Passion,”Gordon MacDonald makes this observation about passion. “It is hard to measure and difficult to pin down. But you know when you have it, and you are quite aware when you don’t.”
MacDonald continues, “One feels passion; it seizes you! Passion stimulates human performance: superior or excellent performance, strange or bizarre performance, compassionate or sacrificial performance.” Continue reading
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I don’t know if the political discourse in our country has reached an all-time low, but it’s probably pretty close.
Coarse. Crass. And crude. Are three words that come to mind. Along with insulting. Accusing. And insolent.
The extreme polarization in our country has been on public display during the Senate Judiciary hearings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Much has been spoken and written about due process, respecting women, telling the truth, as well as fairness, judging the validity of testimony, and the importance of a single vote. Continue reading
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Last night Norma Jean and I worshiped with the Temple Terrace Church and heard a fine lesson presented by Nathan Caldwell.
Nathan is from Wainfleet, Ontario, Canada, where we spent the summer and enjoyed our association with his parents, Rob and Sharon Caldwell. He preaches “part-time,” as we often express it, and does a good job.
His sermon was entitled “Our Purpose in Life” and focused on the human need to find fulfillment. Continue reading
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