Of Death and Taxes
Fri, April 22nd, 2011 @ 7:41 am Comments Off
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin in 1789
Today, like many others judging by the insufferably long line at the post office, I sent my check to the IRS. But then I just heard that about half of Americans do not pay any income tax. So maybe one is more certain than the other. Which is why I have been thinking more on the fact of death lately. Or rather, I should say the death of death has been on my mind. Read more about Of Death and Taxes
Happy New Year!
Fri, December 31st, 2010 @ 4:43 pm Comments Off
It’s that time when we start thinking about the future. Call them goals, resolutions, changes, hopes or dreams. Here are a few of mine for the church in 2011.
1. Cure the ‘Keys Disease‘
A Bible Study “Pearl”
Wed, December 15th, 2010 @ 10:06 am Comments Off
I am feeling a little better about something today. I would go so far as to say I am even feeling somewhat validated. And it is about something that has been bothering me for about two and a half years ago. Here’s the story.
It begins at youth camp in the summer of 2008. The theme that year was “Kilimanjaro: The Secrets of the Kingdom.” The Bible study that week was on the parables in Matthew 13 that discuss the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. All was well and good until we got to verses 45-46, which is often called the parable of the pearl of great price. I was familiar with it, had heard it taught on. The lesson was pretty straightforward, the discussion centering on the idea that the kingdom of heaven was like a priceless pearl that one would sell all he owned to have. And that is when I noticed something. Read more about A Bible Study “Pearl”
Reality Check
Mon, August 23rd, 2010 @ 10:36 am 2 Comments
I did it. I have registered for the Miami Half Marathon. I am willingly paying good money to go out and run 13.1 miles. I like to think of it as the next step in my running evolution. I have run several 5K races. Even placed 2nd in my age group in a race last year. (I’m not going to say which one because then you may go online and see how few there were in my age group, not to mention my time.) I have run the 7 Mile Bridge race 3 times. Which is over half of a half marathon. So I figure 13.1 miles is the next challenge. Another distance I can say that I have done. Read more about Reality Check
Whitewater Lessons
Wed, August 18th, 2010 @ 2:05 pm 1 Comment
For the last few years on our summer vacation, one of the highlights of our trips has been whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River. This summer was no different. Except it was. And a lot. Let me explain.
The Nantahala is mostly made up of class II rapids, making it rather tame by rafting standards. So tame in fact that you can rent a raft and head down the river with no guide. But only after they try to scare you with the video that tells you how you can die doing it! After the video, our family boarded the bus and headed up river to begin our adventure, just like before. Only this was the first trip that we had a raft to ourselves and I was to sit in the back and act as guide. Like I said, this time things were different. Read more about Whitewater Lessons
My New Bible
Tue, August 17th, 2010 @ 4:50 pm Comments Off
So I got a new Bible for Father’s Day. I held my old one up a few weeks ago during a sermon, and the gift idea was born. And as you can see by the picture, my old Bible was looking quite the worse for wear. The binding along the spine is peeling off. The edges are quite tattered. Just a few letters are still visible from the engraving. And then there is that crease right down the middle of the cover. I think that comes from folding it back to keep my place when speaking, a habit I probably picked up by copying one of my favorite peachers (just don’t know which one.)
Of Thrones and Grace
Tue, August 17th, 2010 @ 10:33 am Comments Off
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
What do you focus on when you read/hear/quote that verse? I imagine many of us camp out on the word boldly. And with good reason. To be able to approach God in prayer is one of the greatest privileges we have as Christians. We can come with confidence that He hears us. We can know with confidence that He answers. Read more about Of Thrones and Grace