Archive for church
The Best Valentine’s Gift Ever :: Your Life Laid Down
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Here we are, two days before the most convoluted of all holidays: Valentine’s Day. Shrouded in mystery and uncertainty, this day has become a bit of an aggravation to me over the years. It has been fully embraced by our consumer-driven economy and has become a driving force for sales in most commercial places of business. No one really knows where it came from, but we all know (especially we men) exactly where it’s headed…and it always takes us with it.
I’m not immune to it, either. Not getting something for my wife on this day seems callous, yet bowing down to the goofiness of this money trap is almost more than I can stand. I am among the lucky few who has a wife that honestly doesn’t want the egregiously overpriced flowers on Valentine’s Day, and for that I am so very thankful! But we still play along with cards and a small gift or two. Like I said before, I feel like a jerk if I don’t do something!
So today, I was in Hallmark browsing their card collection in hopes of finding either something really nice and mushy or something absolutely hilarious. I found something in between and settled on it. It was a good card that lacked a certain characteristic I found troubling in probably 85% of the other cards available.
Apology. Read More→
Why Present Tense is Good News For You and Me
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What’s the difference in these words?
Cleansed :: Cleanses
Same word, right? Same idea? Same meaning?
You would be tempted to think so, and in so doing, find yourself on the short side of God’s immeasurable grace.
1 John 1:7 tells us that Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all our sin. All our mess and failings. All that separates us from God. Scroll over that verse and notice the tense there. What if it said “cleansed?” What if it said Jesus’ blood cleansed us of all our sin the moment we accepted Him as Savior? Past tense. Singular event. That would still be a pretty awesome feat.
But what about tomorrow?
And the next day? Read More→
2000 And Counting :: What We Can All Learn From UK’s Historic Acheivement
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On December 21, 2009, the University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball program defeated their opponent, Drexel University, by a score of 88-44, reaching 12-0 and the best start in the school’s decorated history. Even better than back in the days of Adolph Rupp in 1931 who started 10-0. (That colossal structure they play in was named after that man, by the way.)
Well done fellas. Pretty good start, I’d say. Impressive to say the least.
But that was hardly what all the confetti, cakes, guest speakers, former players, excess media coverage, custom printed “UK2K” shirts, commemorative tickets and general hoopla were all about.
Not even close. Read More→
One Coffee Fits All :: How To Find Unity In Diversity
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Seems like a simple request to me. After a good lunch, a well-brewed, full-bodied cup of coffee to finish off the meal seems like an easy wish to grant. Everyone has coffee, right? No big deal. Just place the order and it’s mine.
The problem with that is, of the hundreds of places to purchase coffee, only a fraction of them actually offer a “good” cup of coffee. Or, more precisely, a cup of coffee that lives up to my standards.
So I am left scouring the town to find the truly great cups of coffee, enjoying them only at strange times of the day when I can get free and visit those who serve “the good stuff.”
I suppose my real frustration is, if we all know what constitutes a “good” cup of coffee, why is it so hard to find places that brew one? Why are there so many varieties, degrees, roasts, blends, strengths, sizes, flavors and brands? Why don’t we just find The Coffee and brew it everywhere? Why can’t we just decide which one is the best and get everyone on board? On board with The Coffee. Then, everywhere I go, I can just order a cup of coffee and know exactly what I’ll get. The right bean, the right roast, the right grind, the right water, the right brewer, the right creamer, the right sugar, the right cup…The Coffee. I think I’m on to something here!
But, then again, there are those I run into who would say, “I’d just rather have a cup of McDonald’s coffee.”
WHAT?!!?
Now, don’t get me wrong. McDonald’s has made some strides in bringing a decent coffee to the market, but it’s still way short of being The Coffee. It’s still sub-par. It’s still just ok. Why would you prefer that? Why wouldn’t you want the best? Why wouldn’t you want… Read More→
