I'm wondering did anyone catch the No-Spin-Zone last night? Am I the only one who thinks somebody needs to call Bill O'Reilly, invite him to lunch, and explain some Bible facts to him? Last night's episode of the "Bold-Fresh" Factor-Man feeding biblical advice to Bill Maher, fell short of a few loaves and fishes. Someone...puleeze, explain to the two Bills how important the Old Testament is to Christians and what we believe. The Old Testament is not a bunch of "allegory" and fiction. Bill Maher thinks the entire Bible is filled with fantasies--not just allegories. He corrects Bill … [Read more...] about Bill O’Reilly Feeds Bill Maher Stale Bread
AN IRAQI MEET AND GREET
A member of our Sunday School class asked if any of we ladies would be interested in visiting with an Iraqi lady for an hour or so a week to teach her conversational English. The class-member is a soldier and knows her husband from Iraq (he'd been his interpreter there). Now he is here furthering his education as a linguist/interpreter. A group of ladies volunteered to help his wife learn English, and I am among them. We'll meet this afternoon at 3 to just introduce ourselves, chat a bit, and let her acquaint herself with our faces. That way, when we show up at her door sometime in the … [Read more...] about AN IRAQI MEET AND GREET
Ways to Show Appreciation for Your Minister’s Wife
Offer to babysit so she can have a date-night with her husband. Bring her homemade goodies for the children. Give her a pedicure gift certificate. Give her a spa treatment day. Take her to lunch, or invite her to your home for lunch. Have a card shower for her--have everyone send a dollar in the card. Offer to do alterations or any other sewing needs she has. Give her a manicure certificate. Organize meals for a week for her and give her a break from cooking. Be nice to her children; love them like they are yours. Have her children over for a play-day with … [Read more...] about Ways to Show Appreciation for Your Minister’s Wife
QUARRELING AMONGST US
IS IT POSSIBLE TO STOP IT? I talked with someone last week who was new to blogging. I noticed a comment he'd made in a stream where we Baptists were arguing and debating theology. He wrote that it seemed as though folks were talking past one another in order to make a point. I asked him to email me and he related, "Our intra-mural squabblings give us a bad name. It belies an intolerance below the surface that is neither Christ-like, nor good for the work of the kingdom." The apostle Peter said, "In your hearts set Christ apart as holy, as Lord. Always be ready to give a defense to … [Read more...] about QUARRELING AMONGST US
WEIGHING IN ON THE MOSQUE AT GROUND-ZERO
When I first heard of the mosque being built at Ground Zero in New York City, I questioned the wisdom of choosing that site. It wasn't till conversations got heated, reheated, and burned to a crisp that I began to truly make up my mind about it all. I fluctuated between sympathies to one side, and "how dare they" to the other. Some say it's a matter of sensitivity to those who lost loved ones on 9-11 that the Muslim Mosque should choose another site. I empathize, I truly do. I have difficulty in sharing what I believe is more important. As a Christian, I think, it is because of the … [Read more...] about WEIGHING IN ON THE MOSQUE AT GROUND-ZERO
What’s In Store for Orlando and Beyond
I find so much of what Solomon says in Ecclesiastes as utterly profound. His writings do not seem sad to me like I've heard others say they are to them. It's brilliant. The wisest man in Old Testament history comes to the conclusion that life is futile; "all is vain". Life is a continual repetition of things. Indeed, "what has a man left of all his labor and the striving and vexation of his heart...all his days are but pain and sorrows, and his work is vexation and grief; his mind takes no rest even at night..."(2:22,23) The wisdom in this passage is that man has nothing left of all his … [Read more...] about What’s In Store for Orlando and Beyond
Am I Better Than You?
Have I always lived in perfect harmony with others? Have I never pointed a finger of judgment at another living soul? Have I looked at brothers and sisters in Christ with eyes of a merciful Savior or with judgmental eyes of man? When I stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account for what I have done in the body, will there be a single time I could be ashamed of myself? Have I completed every task? followed through on every commitment I ever made? Told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Always? Do I keep secret the gifts of tithes and offerings I … [Read more...] about Am I Better Than You?
There is more to Holiness than Abstaining
Abstain from those things which are ungodly. Abstain from that which appears ungodly. Abstain from specific things scripture clearly defines as sin--gossip, talebearing, strife, pride. Abstain from foolish and unwise things. Abstain from impurity--in thought, word, or deed. Can you manage that? Hmmmn. I tried for ten minutes and couldn't get past the "thought" portion. For instance: while I was writing that first paragraph I thought of all the folks who'd assign particulars to each sentence. I thought of arguments it may provoke. I thought irritating thoughts about irritating people. I … [Read more...] about There is more to Holiness than Abstaining
THE TEN-PERCENT FACTOR
Ever heard that ten-percent of the people carry ninety-percent of the church? Around ten-percent are the tithers. Ten-percent are the mission-minded. Ten-percent are the leaders, the teachers, the servants. Many preachers lament that if everyone in the church tithed, the church could take care of all the needs of the church and have far more ministries. "Everyone in the church." Unfortunately, "everyone" is never going to do that. Not everyone is going to tithe and not everyone is going to serve. Why should we be surprised? It's nothing new. Remember when Jesus healed the ten lepers? He … [Read more...] about THE TEN-PERCENT FACTOR
WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT YOUTH TODAY?
We've all heard it before. You know. "What's the matter with youth today?" No matter the generation, folks have their "tisk, tisk, tisk" commentary. When I was growing up, they shook their heads at kids who wore their hair like Elvis, and dressed like characters from "Grease". Then came The Beatles, and kids let their hair grow. I don't even want to talk about Haight Ashbury and the years of "love" and Woodstock. But in every generation there are "those" kind of kids who give all kids a reputation of being like them. The same is true for youth-groups. In some churches, the youth meet to … [Read more...] about WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT YOUTH TODAY?