Thu, Jul 31st - 11:37AM
ACCEPTED NORMS
The morally 'disordering' influence of television is more
subtle and insidious than direct incitement. What happens
to all of us, unless our powers of moral judgment are acute
and alert, is that our understanding of what is 'normal'
begins to be modified. Under the impression that
'everybody does it', and that nobody nowadays believes much
in God or in absolutes of truth and goodness, our defences
are lowered and our values imperceptibly altered. We begin
to assume that physical violence (when we are provoked),
sexual promiscuity (when we are aroused) and extravagant
consumer expenditure(when we are tempted) are the accepted
norms of western society at the end of the twentieth
century. We have been conned. JOHN STOTT
Comment (0)
|
Thu, Jul 31st - 9:01AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
In all of us, even in good men, there is a lawless wild-beast nature, which peers out in sleep.* -Socrates, philosopher (469?-399 BCE)
*"For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God in my inmost self, but I see in my members another law at war with the law of my mind, making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin." Romans 7:14-25 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Thu, Jul 31st - 8:57AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Lady, this vacuum cleaner will cut your work in half.
Good. I’ll take two of them.
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 30th - 10:08AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
When we think about laying down a life for another we usually think in terms of a singular event. But it is possible for us to lay down our lives over the course of a lifetime, minute by minute and day by day. And it is the work of the Spirit to empower us as we seek to lose ourselves in acts of lovingkindness and sacrificial living.* - Elaine Puckett, professor at Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia
*5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. 6 The LORD protects the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. 7 Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. Psalms 116:5 - 7 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 30th - 8:46AM
Full hearts and empty heads
Christianity lays great emphasis on the importance of
knowledge, rebukes anti-intellectualism for the negative,
paralysing thing it is, and traces many of our problems to
our ignorance. Whenever the heart is full and the head is
empty, dangerous fanaticisms arise. JOHN STOTT
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 30th - 8:37AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Several women, each trying to one-up the other, appeared in court, each accusing the others of causing the trouble they were having in the apartment building where they lived.
The judge, with Solomon-like wisdom decreed, "Okay, I'm ready to hear the evidence...I'll hear the oldest first."
The case was dismissed for lack of testimony.
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 29th - 8:30AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
There is no jail which cannot be made a sanctuary of worship, no jailer who cannot be reached by God's love. The will of God never leads where the grace of God cannot sustain. When you're called to Macedonia, go. When you find yourself in jail, pray. Your Father will grant you his peace, all day long. Is he waiting on your next prayer?* Jim Denison, GodIssues 3/19/09
*6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 29th - 8:22AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
As Barb was getting to know David and his family, she was very impressed by how much his parents loved each other.
"They're so thoughtful," Barb said. "Why, your dad even brings your mom a cup of hot coffee in bed every morning."
After a time, Barb and David were engaged, and then married. On the way from the wedding to the reception, Barb again remarked on David's loving parents, and even the coffee in bed.
Tell me," she said, "does it run in the family?"
"It sure does," replied David. "And I take after my mom."
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 29th - 3:16AM
The yoke of Christ
To bring our minds under Christ's yoke is not to deny our
rationality but to submit to his revelation. JOHN STOTT
Comment (0)
|
Mon, Jul 28th - 8:45AM
CONVERSION OF THE MIND
No man or woman is truly converted who is not
intellectually converted. And nobody can claim to be
intellectually converted who has not brought his or her
mind into submission to the authority of Jesus as Lord. JOHN STOTT
Comment (0)
|
Mon, Jul 28th - 8:37AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"Be inspired with the belief that life is a great and noble calling; not a mean and groveling thing that we are to shuffle through as we can, but an elevated and lofty destiny."* -- William E. Gladstone
*"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live," Deuteronomy 30:19 (NRSV)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Mon, Jul 28th - 8:32AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Why Some Countries CAN'T Go Metric!
If the metric system did ever take over, we'd have to change our thinking to the following:
* A miss is as good as 1.6 kilometers.
* Put your best 0.3 of a meter forward.
* Spare the 5.03 meters and spoil the child.
* Twenty-eight grams of prevention is worth 453 grams of cure.
* Give a man 2.5 centimeters and he'll take 1.609 kilometers.
* Peter Piper picked 8.8 liters of pickled peppers.
Comment (0)
|
Sun, Jul 27th - 8:29AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"You can no more separate yourself from your influence than you can separate yourself from your shadow as you walk in the noonday sun."* (George Truett)
*A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Sun, Jul 27th - 8:22AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Boss: You should have been here at 8.00 a.m.
Employee: Why what happened?
Comment (0)
|
Sat, Jul 26th - 8:57AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Men who are bald at front of their heads are good thinkers.
Men who are bald at the back of their heads are good lovers.
Men who are bald at front and back think they are good lovers.
Comment (0)
|
Fri, Jul 25th - 8:40AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"Be inspired with the belief that life is a great and noble calling; not a mean and groveling thing that we are to shuffle through as we can, but an elevated and lofty destiny."* -- William E. Gladstone
*"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live," Deuteronomy 30:19 (NRSV)
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Fri, Jul 25th - 8:33AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
When I was a newly commissioned Lieutenant in the Army, I was assigned as a temporary assistant in an administrative office in a Military Intelligence unit. One day a long came around with a cover sheet instructing all assigned officers to read it and initial it as indication of their compliance. I figured it meant me too, so I read and initialed it.
However, a few days later, it came back addressed specifically to me. An attached note read:"You are not permanently assigned to this unit and are thus not an authorized signee. Please erase your initials and initial your erasure."
So I did
Comment (0)
|
Thu, Jul 24th - 8:38AM
The authority of truth
There is only one authority under which the mind is free,
and that is the authority of truth. The mind is not free
if it is believing lies. On the contrary, it is in bondage
to fantasy and falsehood. It is free only when it is
believing the truth, and this is so whether the truth in
question is one of science or of Scripture.
Comment (0)
|
Thu, Jul 24th - 8:28AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A man and his wife were making their first doctor visit prior to the birth of their first child.
After everything checked out, the doctor took a small stamp and stamped the wife's stomach with indelible ink.
The couple was curious about what the stamp was for, so when they got home, the husband dug out his magnifying glass to try to see what it was.
In very tiny letters, the stamp said, "When you can read this, come back and see me."
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 23rd - 8:51AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Fear makes us give up before we even begin.*
*1After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” Genesis 15:1 (NRSV)
6Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the LORD your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NRSV)
8It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NRSV)
20And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; 1 Samuel 12:20 (NRSV)
9If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 23rd - 8:44AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
One of my husband's duties as a novice drill instructor at Fort Jackson, S.C., was to escort new recruits to the mess hall. After everyone had made it through the chow line, he sat them down and told them, "There are three rules in this mess hall: Shut up! Eat up! Get up!"
Checking to see that he had everyone's attention, he asked, "What is the first rule?"
Much to the amusement of the other instructors, 60 privates yelled in unison, "Shut up, Drill Sergeant!"
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 22nd - 10:00AM
Do Right and You'll feel right!
You don't feel your way into good behavior; you behave your way into good feelings. Neil Anderson
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 22nd - 9:58AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
The treasure of Love is in our ability to share Love.* Michael G. Maness,
*Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 1 John 3:18 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 22nd - 9:57AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A guy came home to his wife and said, "Guess what? I've found a great job. A 10 a.m. start, 2 p.m. finish, no overtime, no weekends and it pays $600 a week!"
"That's great," his wife said.
"Yeah, I thought so too," he agreed. "You start Monday."
Comment (0)
|
Sun, Jul 20th - 9:59PM
SPURGEON'S GOLD
It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.
Spurgeon's Gold.CHARLES SPURGEON
Comment (0)
|
Sun, Jul 20th - 8:21AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"We aim above the mark to hit the mark." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
*"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48 (NRSV)
"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.} Matthew 5:48 (NRSV)
"Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is." 1 John 3:2 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Sun, Jul 20th - 8:16AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Once upon a time there was a famous sea captain. This captain was very successful at what he did; for years he guided merchant ships all over the world. Never did stormy seas or pirates get the best of him. He was admired by his crew and fellow captains. However, there was one thing different about this captain. Every morning he went through a strange ritual. He would lock himself in his quarters and open a small safe. In the safe was an envelope with a piece of paper inside. He would stare at the paper for a minute, and then lock it back up. Afterwards, he would go about his daily duties.
For years this went on, and his crew became very curious. Was it a treasure map? Was it a letter from a long lost love? Everyone speculated about the contents of the strange envelope.
One day the captain died at sea. After laying the captain's body to rest, the first mate led the entire crew into the captain’s quarters. He opened the safe, got the envelope, and opened it and... The first mate turned pale and showed the paper to the others.
Four words were on the paper; two lines with two words each:
Port Left
Starboard Right
Comment (0)
|
Sat, Jul 19th - 11:06AM
Salvation is freedom
To be saved by Jesus Christ is to be set free. JOHN STOTT
Comment (0)
|
Sat, Jul 19th - 9:36AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
God is holy, righteous, just, and wise enough to save by grace through faith without violating His holiness, righteousness, or justice.*
*Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (NRSV) "For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God, without deceit, just and upright is he;
Comment (0)
|
Sat, Jul 19th - 9:32AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
These two persons are discussing whether the state of Hawaii is pronounced 'Havaii,' or 'Hawaii.'
So there they stood arguing and arguing, until they decided to ask a person that was walking by.
So they asked a gentleman: 'Excuse me sir, is Hawaii pronounced 'Hawaii' or 'Havaii?''
The gentleman said, 'Havaii.'
So they both looked at each other, and as the gentleman was leaving, one of the two said to him, 'Thank you.'
The gentleman replied by saying, 'You're velcome.'
Comment (0)
|
Fri, Jul 18th - 8:30AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
“....eternal obligation of Righteousness.... ....Now that "the fullness of time has come" it is at once our duty and our blessedness to accept complete emancipation and to "stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free."* R. W. Dale
*5:1For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NRSV)
22But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the advantage you get is sanctification. The end is eternal life. Romans 6:22 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Fri, Jul 18th - 8:21AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Q. What’s the difference between a man and a government bond?
A. Bonds mature.
Comment (0)
|
Fri, Jul 18th - 8:12AM
True freedom
True freedom is not freedom from responsibility to God and others
in order to live for ourselves, but freedom from ourselves in
order to live for God and others. JOHN STOTT
Comment (0)
|
Thu, Jul 17th - 8:52AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"Your net worth doesn't equal your personal worth." Remember the source of your personal worth. You are not what you do, or have, or how you look, or what people think of you. You are the child of God. You are on your way to heaven this morning. What matters is not so much what you have when you are alive, but what you have after you die. Today is the dot before the line, the moment before the eternal. If Jesus is your Lord, you will forever be the child of the King of Kings. Your net worth is far less than your personal worth to God.*
*36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Mark 8:36 (NRSV)
19Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Cor 6:19
Comment (0)
|
Thu, Jul 17th - 8:46AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Q. Why can’t a Podunck dial 911?
A. He can't find the eleven
Comment (0)
|
Thu, Jul 17th - 8:39AM
WHEN WE GET FREEDOM
Freedom is much misunderstood. Even those who talk loudest and
longest about freedom have not always paused first to define what
they are talking about. A notable example is the Marxist orator
who was waxing eloquent on the street corner about the freedom we
would all enjoy after the revolution. 'When we get freedom,' he
cried, 'you'll all be able to smoke cigars like that,' pointing
to an opulent gentleman walking by.
'I prefer my fag,' shouted a heckler.
'When we get freedom,' the Marxist continued, ignoring the
interruption and warming to his theme, 'you'll all be able to
drive in cars like that,' pointing to a sumptuous Mercedes which
was driving by.
'I prefer my bike,' shouted the heckler.
And so the dialogue continued until the Marxist could bear his
tormentor no longer. Turning on him, he said: 'When we get
freedom, you'll do what you're told!! JOHN STOTT
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 16th - 9:00AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
“....Christ's Death—though they know neither how nor why—has done more than either His teaching or His life to constrain and enable them to trust in the mercy of God for the pardon of sin; and because Christ is the Propitiation for the sins of the world, God has responded to their trust, and they are eternally saved. For it is not the doctrine of the Death of Christ that atones for human sin, but the Death itself;”* R. W. Dale
*17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:17 - 18 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 16th - 8:53AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
I was working as a short-order cook at two restaurants in the same neighborhood. On a Saturday night, I was finishing up the dinner shift at one restaurant and hurrying to report to work at the second place, but I was delayed because one table kept sending back an order of hash browns, insisting they were cold. I replaced them several times, but still the customers were dissatisfied.
When I was able to leave, I raced out the door and arrived at my second job. A server immediately handed me my first order.
"Make sure these hash browns are hot," she said, "because these people just left a restaurant down the street that kept serving them cold ones."
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 15th - 7:58AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Doing good to our enemies “....has a power to do what laws and bullets and bombs can never do--namely, bring about transformation in an enemy’s heart. When God flexes His omnipotent muscle, it doesn’t look like Rambo or the Terminator--it looks like Calvary.” (Greg Boyd: The Myth of a Christian Nation. p. 32*
*44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48 (NRSV)
27“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Luke 6:27-29 (NRSV)
35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Luke 6:35 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 15th - 7:53AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
We spend the first twelve months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk, and the next Twenty-four years telling them to sit down and shut up!
Comment (0)
|
Mon, Jul 14th - 8:49AM
True greatness
Why did Jesus equate greatness with service? Must not our
answer relate to the intrinsic worth of human beings, which
was the presupposition underlying his own ministry of self-
giving love, and which is an essential element of the
Christian perspective? If human beings are Godlike beings,
then they must be served not exploited, respected not
manipulated. JOHN STOTT
Comment (0)
|
Mon, Jul 14th - 8:37AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
DON'T ROB GOD! "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," SAITH THE LORD!*
*19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Mon, Jul 14th - 8:32AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
We had built our dream house some years ago, and furnished it with quality pieces as we could afford them. Now the delivery truck carrying the last purchase, a new bedroom suite, was pulling into the driveway.
"Finally!" I exclaimed, flinging open the front door as the driver walked up to the house. "I've been waiting twelve years for this!"
"Don't blame me, lady," he said. "I just got the order this morning."
Comment (0)
|
Sun, Jul 13th - 7:46AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
“...(W)e must repudiate as demonic the attempt to drive a wedge between evangelism and social action.”* (Radical Discipleship by Christopher Sugden @1981 p. 172
*1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; Isaiah 61:1 (NRSV)
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, Luke 4:18 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Sun, Jul 13th - 7:41AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources Officer asked a young Engineer fresh out of MIT, "And what starting salary were you looking for?"
The Engineer replies, "In the region of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package."
The interviewer enquires, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5-weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental, company matching retirement fund to 50% of salary, and a company car leased every 2 years say, a red Corvette?"
The Engineer sits up straight and says, "Wow! Are you kidding?"
And the interviewer replies, "Yeah, but you started it."
Comment (0)
|
Sun, Jul 13th - 7:34AM
Nothing wasted, everything used
It seems to me fully compatible with our Christian
doctrines of creation and redemption that we should talk to
ourselves somewhat as follows: 'I am a unique person.
(That is not conceit. It is a fact. If every snowflake
and every blade of grass is unique, how much more is every
human being?) My uniqueness is due to my genetic
endowment, my inherited personality and temperament, my
parentage, upbringing and education, my talents,
inclinations and interests, my new birth and spiritual
gifts. By the grace of God I am who I am. How then can I,
as the unique person God had made me, be *stretched* in the
service of Christ and of people, so that nothing he has
given me is wasted, and everything he has given me is
used?' JOHN STOTT
Comment (0)
|
Sat, Jul 12th - 8:16AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
TInstead thinking about things you do not have, spend the day thanking God for the things you do have.* Terry Austin
*7 Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Psalm 37:7 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Sat, Jul 12th - 8:10AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Recently on a routine police patrol parked outside a local neighborhood bar the officer noticed a man leaving the bar so intoxicated that he could barely walk. The man stumbled around the parking lot for a few minutes with the officer quietly observing.
After what seemed an eternity and trying his keys on five different vehicles, the man managed to find his own car which he fell into. He was there for a few minutes as a number of other patrons left the bar and drove off.
Finally he started the car, switched the wipers on and off (it was a dry night), flicked the hazard flasher on and off, tooted the horn, and then switched on the lights. He moved the vehicle forward a few inches, reversed a little, and then remained stationary for a few more minutes as more patrons left in their vehicles. At last he pulled out of the parking lot and started to drive slowly down the street.
The police officer, having patiently waited all this time, now started up his patrol car, put on the flashing lights, promptly pulled the man over and carried out a breathalyzer test. To his amazement, the breathalyzer indicated no evidence of the man having consumed alcohol at all!
Dumbfounded, the officer said, "I'll have to ask you to accompany me to the Police Station. This breathalyzer equipment must be broken."
"I doubt it," said the man, "Tonight, I'm the designated decoy."
Comment (0)
|
Fri, Jul 11th - 8:57AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"People are about as happy as they make up their mind to be."* Mark Twain
*"Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." Acts 27:25 (KJV)
"And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Matthew 9:2 (KJV)
"But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." Matthew 14:27 (KJV)
"For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." Mark 6:50 (KJV)
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (KJV)
Comment (0)
|
Fri, Jul 11th - 8:54AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
At work, my dad noticed that the name of an employee was the same as an old friend. He found the man's e-mail addy and sent him a message.
When Dad received a reply, he was insulted and fired back another e-mail:
"I have put on some weight, but I didn't realize it was that noticeable."
His friend's hastily typed message, with an apparent typo, had read:
"Hi, Ron. I didn't know you worked here, but I did see a gut that looked like you in the cafeteria.
Comment (0)
|
Thu, Jul 10th - 8:49AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
Some years ago, Mother Teresa was opening a new orphanage in New York City when a news conference broke out. A reporter shouted out the question, "How will you measure the success of this?" The tiny Albanian nun turned, smiled into the glare of the cameras, and said quietly, "I don't believe our Lord ever spoke of success. He spoke only of faithfulness."* (Jim Denison, Resident Theologian for the Baptist General Convention of Texas)
*2Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NRSV)
21His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21 (NRSV)
10“Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. Luke 16:10 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Thu, Jul 10th - 8:43AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
For months Bill had been Lynn's devoted admirer. Now, at long last, he had collected up sufficient courage to ask her the most momentous of all questions.
"There are quite a lot of advantages to being a bachelor," Bill began, "but there comes a time when one longs for the companionship of another being, a being who will regard one as perfect, as an idol; whom one can treat as one's absolute own; who will be kind and faithful when times are hard; who will share one's joys and sorrows."
To his delight, Bill saw a sympathetic gleam in Lynn's eyes. Then she nodded in agreement.
Finally, Lynn responded,
"I think it's a great idea! Can I help you choose which puppy to buy?"
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 9th - 8:37AM
LOVE & SERVIVE
If love and truth go together, and love and gifts go
together, so do love and service, since true love always
expresses itself in service. To love is to serve. We are
left, then, with these four aspects of Christian life
forming a ring or a circle which cannot be broken -- love,
truth, gifts and service. For love issues in service,
service uses the gifts, the highest gift is the teaching of
the truth, but truth must be spoken in love. Each involves
the others, and wherever you begin all four are brought
into operation. Yet 'the greatest of these is love' (1
Cor. 13:13). JOHN STOTT
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 9th - 8:32AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
The enabling grace of God not only forgave me of my sin, but Jesus paid the debt and set me free. The new birth not only results in forgiveness of sins, but Jesus paid the debt and set me free.*
*17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!2 Cor 5:17
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 9th - 8:27AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
My therapist told me that I could find inner peace by finishing what I start. So far today, I've finished two bags of chips and a chocolate cake. I feel better already! (PROVIDED BY DAN LAYNE!)
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 8th - 8:30AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
There is a hard law…When an injury is done to us, we never recover until we forgive.* - Alan Paton
*12And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. 14For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:12-15 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 8th - 8:20AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
The newly-married husband came home from the office to find his young wife in floods of tears. "Darling, whatever is the matter?" he asked.
"Sweetheart," she sobbed, "the most terrible thing has happened! I cooked my very first Beef Bourguignon for you, and I got it out of the oven to season it, and the phone rang. When I came back from answering the phone," she sobbed again. "I found that the cat had eaten it!"
"Don't worry, darling," said her husband. "Don't cry. We can get a new cat tomorrow."
Comment (0)
|
Mon, Jul 7th - 8:16AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
If you want to be like Jesus, do what Jesus does.* Rick Warren
*12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 (NRSV)
6whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked. 1 John 2:6 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Mon, Jul 7th - 8:10AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Smith goes to see his supervisor in the front office.
"Boss," he says, "we're doing some heavy house-cleaning at home tomorrow, and my wife needs me to help with the attic and the garage, moving and hauling stuff."
"We're short-handed, Smith," the boss replies. "I can't give you the day off."
"Thanks, boss," says Smith, "I knew I could count on you!"
Comment (0)
|
Sun, Jul 6th - 7:44AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
"God's best and highest will is for us to love (value) Him with all our hearts, and to love (value) others as ourselves. Do you realize you have everything you need to fulfill God's will and experience His best in your life?"*
*"He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38This is the greatest and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’" Matthew 22:37-39
(NRSV)
"And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Sun, Jul 6th - 7:39AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Joe had asked Bob to help him out with the deck after work, so Bob just went straight over to Joe's place. When they got to the door, Joe went straight to his wife, gave her a hug and told her how beautiful she was and how much he had missed her at work. When it was time for supper, he complimented his wife on her cooking, kissed her and told her how much he loved her.
Once they were working on the deck, Bob told Joe that he was surprised that he fussed so much over his wife. Joe said that he'd started this about six months ago, it had revived their marriage, and things couldn't be better.
Bob thought he'd give it a go. When he got home, he gave his wife a massive hug, kissed her and told her that he loved her. His wife burst into tears.
Bob was confused and asked why she was crying.
She said, "This is the worst day of my life. First, little Billy fell off his bike and twisted his ankle. Then, the washing machine broke and flooded the basement. And now, you come home drunk!"
Comment (0)
|
Sat, Jul 5th - 11:56AM
My Father is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ
As a child of God, I am born of the same Spirit that Jesus was born of. I have the same Father Who Jesus has. Jesus is my Brother, Lord, and Savior. I have the same spiritual DNA as You, Jesus, Your Mother, Brothers and Sisters, and all Brothers and Sisters in Christ. That's enough to rejoice in the Lord alway, and again, I say Rejoice.
Comment (0)
|
Sat, Jul 5th - 8:14AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
... [T]o get, we must give; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. In watering others, we are ourselves watered.* Morning and Evening Devotional.
*25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Proverbs 11:25 (KJV)
Comment (0)
|
Sat, Jul 5th - 8:08AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
“How long have you been working here?” one employee asked to another.
“Ever since the boss threatened to fire me.”
Comment (0)
|
Fri, Jul 4th - 6:33PM
Life in Christ
No-one may dare to claim that he lives in Christ and Christ
in him unless he is obedient to the three fundamental
commands which John has been expounding (1 Jn. 4:24) which
are belief in Christ, love for the brothers and moral
righteousness. 'Living in Christ' is not a mystical
experience which anyone may claim; its indispensable
accompaniments are the confession of Jesus as the Son of
God come in the flesh, and a consistent life of holiness
and love. JOHN STOTT
Comment (0)
|
Fri, Jul 4th - 8:35AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
“One Person who's on your side always, no matter what you do or what the world does to you“... is Jesus Christ.* (Jim Denison, Park Cities Baptist Church
*What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Fri, Jul 4th - 8:29AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Once there was an Antartian that was down on his luck. In order to get some money he decided to kidnap a kid and hold him for ransom.
He went to the playground, grabbed a kid, took him behind a tree and told him "I've kidnapped you."
The Antartian wrote a note saying
"I've kidnapped your kid. Tomorrow morning put $10,000 in a paper bag and put it beneath the pecan tree next to the slide on the north side of the city playground. Signed, An Antartian."
The Antartian then pinned the note to the kid's shirt and sent him home to show it to his parents.
The next morning the Antartian checked, and sure enough a paper bag was sitting beneath that pecan tree. The Antartian opened up the bag and found the $10,000 with a note. The note said,
"How could one Antartian do this to another Antartian?!"
Comment (0)
|
Thu, Jul 3rd - 8:46AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
He who believes that God is pledged to provide for him cannot be greedy, anxious, covetous; can only be liberal, and even magnanimous.* The Expositor’s Bible: Genesis p. 34*
*25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25 (NRSV)
33But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NRSV)
Comment (0)
|
Thu, Jul 3rd - 8:40AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Years ago, when our daughters were very young, we'd drop them off at our church's children's chapel on Sundays before the eleven o'clock service.
One Sunday, just as I was about to open the door to the small chapel, the minister came rushing up in full vestments. He said he had an emergency and asked if I'd speak to the children at their story time. He said the subject was the Twenty-third Psalm.
But just as I was about to get up from the back row and talk about the good shepherd, the minister burst into the room and signaled to me that he would be able to do the story time after all.
He told the children about sheep, that they weren't smart and needed lots of guidance, and that a shepherd's job was to stay close to the sheep, protect them from wild animals and keep them from wandering off and doing dumb things that would get them hurt or killed.
He pointed to the little children in the room and said that they were the sheep and needed lots of guidance.
Then the minister put his hands out to the side, palms up in a dramatic gesture, and with raised eyebrows said to the children, "If you are the sheep then who is the shepherd?" He was pretty obviously indicating himself.
A silence of a few seconds followed.
Then a young visitor said, " Jesus, Jesus is the shepherd."
The young minister, obviously caught by surprise, said to the boy, "Well, then, who am I?"
The little boy frowned thoughtfully and then said with a shrug, "I guess you must be a sheep dog."
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 2nd - 7:32AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
God is holy, righteous, just, and wise enough to save by grace through faith without violating His holiness, righteousness, or justice.*
*Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (NRSV) "For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God, without deceit, just and upright is he;
Comment (0)
|
Wed, Jul 2nd - 7:29AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
Shortly after the birth of their second child, a husband offered to take his wife shopping for a new dress. He endured more than two hours of listening to her complaints about which figure flaw each dress accentuated.
As she emerged from the dressing room, having tried on the last selection, she asked for her husband's opinion. By this time he had learned just the right things to say. "It's perfect!" he exclaimed. "It makes your waist look smaller, your legs look longer, and slenderizes your hips."
Just then another lady in the dressing room spoke out. "If there is a dress here that will do that, I'll buy them all!"
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 1st - 10:04AM
TWO WAY CALLING
In general terms, in spite of our specialist callings, every Christian is sent into the world as both a witness and a servant. Whenever we see someone in need, whether that need is spiritual or physical or social, if we have the wherewithal to meet it, we must do so; otherwise we cannot claim to have God's love dwelling in us (1 John 3:16 (NRSV) 16 We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.). Often people have more than one need, and if we love them with God's love we shall do our utmost to relieve their needs. It is then, too, that they are most likely to believe. Verbal witness is not enough. As Jesus said, it is when people 'see our good works' that our light shines most brightly and will give glory to our heavenly father (Matthew 5:16 (NRSV) 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.) JOHN STOTT
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 1st - 8:39AM
LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE!
A company offered tours through the historic district, led by guides dressed in Colonial clothing. While leading a group, one of the guides, tripped and fell, breaking his wrist.
He went to the hospital, and as he sat waiting in the emergency room, a policeman walked by.
Doing a double take at him in his 18th-century garb he asked,
"Just how long have you been waiting?"
Comment (0)
|
Tue, Jul 1st - 8:37AM
THOUGHT FOR TODAY!
The Christian is under both instruction and authority. He looks to Jesus as his Teacher to instruct him, and as his Lord to command him. He believes what he believes because Jesus taught it, and he does what he does because Jesus told him to do it.*
*Looking round at his disciples, Jesus said, 'You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right; that is what I am' (Jn. 13:13).
Comment (0)
|
Back to Blog Main Page
|
|
| About Me |
|
|
Archives
|
| |
Name: Doyle Purifoy
