Motivation!
"Carrot motivation"; dangling a carrot from a stick in front of a donkey as a means of motivating it to keep moving forward. This expression has come to refer to something good being offered -- dangled in front of us -- to motivate us to do something. Generally people... (Continue reading "Motivation!")
Umbrella Faith!
During a time of terrible drought in Southern Georgia, an entire congregation gathered at the old country church building for the purpose of praying for rain. The preacher stood looking at the congregation and said, "Brothers and Sisters, we have met here today to pray for rain. Now I... (Continue reading "Umbrella Faith!")
Don't Strip The Gears!
Someone has said: "Patience is the ability to keep your motor idling when you feel like stripping your gears." Do we ever find it difficult to calmly wait; feeling like stripping our gears? As "Grrr, Grrr, Grrr" is the sound of metal grinding against metal, "Grrr, Grrr, Grrr" becomes... (Continue reading "Don't Strip The Gears!")
Seriously!
"Are you serious?" Sometimes that question is asked when someone either makes a statement about something or mentions something they plan to do. However, what is the actual relationship between what we SAY AND DO? Note a criticism Jesus levied against some of the teachers of that day. We... (Continue reading "Seriously!")
Caller ID!
"Caller ID" (caller identification) on our telephones can be very useful. Looking at it we can see which of our friends has called while we were away, even if no message was left. I often see the numbers of members of our congregation on our "Caller ID", and when... (Continue reading "Caller ID!")
Mothers!
Though today is marked on the calendar as "Mother's Day!" I would hope mothers and all their labors of love are being acknowledged more than merely once a year. I also hope mothers recognize the significance of the role they play in the encouraging and nurturing of their children,... (Continue reading "Mothers!")
This Is It?
The atheist or evolutionist would have us think this is it; this world is our DESTINY. At birth they would declare, "You have arrived, now make the most of it." With such a perspective, is it any wonder so many reach a point where they would declare, "If this... (Continue reading "This Is It?")
Worst Poverty!
It has been noted that some people are so poor, all they have is money. How sad to be so impoverished. Though not everyone may see it that way, when it comes to truly defining life (Luke 12:15) it is the truth. Some have found themselves very lonely with... (Continue reading "Worst Poverty!")
Held In Remembrance!
We may sometimes hold things which are precious in our hand. When such is the case we are careful to keep the hand closed so as to not drop whatever it is. We may also hold a remembrance in our hand. Have you ever written something on the palm... (Continue reading "Held In Remembrance!")
A Good Soldier!
As I drive things catch my attention and my mind gets rolling sometimes faster than the speed of the car. Recently as my wife and I were traveling somewhere, I noticed a car dealership offering a discount to military personnel. Continuing on our way I began thinking about that... (Continue reading "A Good Soldier!")
Maturity!
The statement has been made that "A fool at forty is a fool forever!" What that statement implies is that if one hasn't matured by the time they have reached the age of forty, it is not likely they ever will! Maturing does not instantaneously occur at a specific... (Continue reading "Maturity!")
Dead And Buried!
Some things are buried to be hidden and then dug up later, such as a treasure one does not want others to find. Other things are buried to be left there. Are such sometimes confused? Have some things been buried and lost because the place where hidden was not... (Continue reading "Dead And Buried!")
Mind! How Much?
It has been expressed regarding "mind over matter" that if you don't mind it doesn't matter. However, there are matters of which we ought to be very mindful as they have impact not only for this life, but are of eternal consequence as well. As I was growing up,... (Continue reading "Mind! How Much?")
Larger Than Life!
Most of us have probably seen tall statues which were larger than the life represented. We have seen pictures on billboards also displaying images larger than what is real. And on the "big screen" of movie theaters we have seen action as if we were right there. Such visuals... (Continue reading "Larger Than Life!")
Resisting The Temptation!
Temptation is only a temptation when it touches on a desire within. (i.e. James 1:14) If no desire, no problem. Temptation is unfortunately a reality of life; it will come. (i.e. Luke 17:1) Therefore if the occasions or places of temptation are unavoidable -- and we should avoid them... (Continue reading "Resisting The Temptation!")