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| 99 % True - Thursday, March 04, 2010
There are various types of falsehoods. Some are blatant and obvious while others are subtle and difficult to detect. The first type are a threat to the naïve and unlearned. The second is a problem to anyone who lacks a discerning spirit and a sound commitment to the Bible as the Word of God. Someone wisely once said, “Satan will use 99 percent truths to float one lie.” Paul put it this way, “… a little leaven (lie) leavens the whole lump…” (1 Cor. 5:6). Falsehood spreads, permeating the truth. Something which seems 99% true is 100% false! Think about it!
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| "Some Thing" - Thursday, February 25, 2010
According to a recent Associated Press article, the American Psychiatric Association has decided to change some of it’s diagnostic terminology. Some softening of terms is warranted in order to remove enigmas from particular conditions. For example, “mental retardation” is now “intellectual disability,” a term which seems more fitting.
However, I wonder about lumping such problems as internet addition, gambling addiction, pornography addiction and others into a single category, “behavioral addiction.” The behavior is the result of the mental or emotional condition.
One thing remains unchanged. Regardless of what it is called, the problem is the same as always. For example, gambling addiction will still destroy lives as will any other. Changing the name does not eliminate the problem.
Think how many name changes “sin” has endured: “mistake,” “poor judgment,” “bad choice,” etc. Need I say more?
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| Music Notes - Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sometimes even the best-laid plans are laden with potholes and difficulty. Several years ago my parents told me a story of a long planned trip to attend an outdoors workshop in a neighboring community. When the day arrived, she and my Dad loaded into their van and embarked on their trip. Along the way, they encountered a severe rainstorm that resulted in the cancellation of the workshop, they experienced car trouble, and they drove through road construction that resulted in their van being splattered with tar. After so much anticipation, nothing they planned went as they hoped. Many times we face difficult situations that test our resolve and patience too, especially when things don’t go as we think they should. It is important to remember that the difficulties we face are only temporary hardships. So whether your challenges are great or small, maintain your perspective by keeping your eyes on Jesus, who guides us past our failures and toward ultimate victory.
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| "Quips" - Thursday, February 18, 2010 Some great wisdom comes from one line quips. Here are some I like. “Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.”“Letting the cat out of the bag is much easier than putting it back in.”“Good judgment comes from experience, much of which comes from bad judgment.”“Meanness does not happen overnight.”“A clear conscience makes a soft pillow.”“To belittle is to be little.”And finally: “I don’t suffer from insanity ~ I enjoy every minute of it!”
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| Music Notes - Thursday, February 18, 2010
Citius, Altius, Fortius. This is the motto of the Olympics. Proposed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894, and introduced in 1924, it is a Latin phrase which translates, “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. As you watch the Winter Olympics this month, each athlete that participates in the games will be striving to fulfill one or more of those characteristics in their particular event. It can be exciting to watch as they engage in spirited competitions individually and as representatives of their countries. Likewise, we should strive for excellence in our own race. As we move through life, experiencing all of its joys and trials, let’s be reminded that God calls us to run our race to win. The physical attributes of the Olympic motto may not help us, but if we search God’s Word and pray for His wisdom, we will find all the tools necessary to complete our race in winning form |
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| Music Notes - Thursday, March 04, 2010 I keep waiting for the cold weather to leave for good. Sure, in a couple of months, I will be longing for days with temperatures cool enough to wear jackets and coats, but right now I am ready for spring to come. I want to see the grass grow and watch the flowers bloom. I want my trees to have leaves again. I enjoy the “newness” of spring. Nevertheless, as I write today and see that the weather outside is so pleasant, I know that we are probably not yet completely done with cold weather. I must remind myself that the weather does not always operate according to my preference and schedule. So it is with God, too. Many times we see needs and desires in our lives and in the lives of others and we wonder why God tarries in His response to our prayers for them. We know that God’s word is filled with scriptures that encourage and exhort us to a lifestyle of patience. Why? Because God can see all the things we cannot, and therefore our patience becomes an exercise of faith and trust. So let’s trust God, and understand that His timing and plan is grounded in the perfect knowledge of what has been, what is, and what will be.
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| Music Notes - Thursday, February 18, 2010
Citius, Altius, Fortius. This is the motto of the Olympics. Proposed by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894, and introduced in 1924, it is a Latin phrase which translates, “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. As you watch the Winter Olympics this month, each athlete that participates in the games will be striving to fulfill one or more of those characteristics in their particular event. It can be exciting to watch as they engage in spirited competitions individually and as representatives of their countries. Likewise, we should strive for excellence in our own race. As we move through life, experiencing all of its joys and trials, let’s be reminded that God calls us to run our race to win. The physical attributes of the Olympic motto may not help us, but if we search God’s Word and pray for His wisdom, we will find all the tools necessary to complete our race in winning form.
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Abundant life can be found in Christ when we understand and respect the body machines that God created for each of us to live in ... Our bodies were created for movement, work, and action from the very beginning...read more
(Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST)
As one of 400 million people using Facebook, I joined the social network specifically to extend my ministry ... Today, I'm "friends" with more than 2,200 people, and the number grows virtually every day ... My goal is not to be popular, but to be conread more
(Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST)
Chaplain: "Count your time by reading the Bible"; Customers at a local LifeWay Christian Store donate money to donate 155 Bibles; Partnership with the community is significant to inmates, chaplain said...read more
(Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST)
In this issue of Pastors Today ... Access four new model sermons by Rick Ezell ... These are a part of a series called Inner Workings and serve as the April Extra sermons ... These excellent messages have strong biblical content along with life appliread more
(Mon, 8 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST)
Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research, served as a primary source and interview for a recent news segment titled, "Losing Our Religion..."read more
(Mon, 8 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST)
What is the biggest single reason people give for not sharing their faith Out of all the conferences I've done over the many years, there's always one reason that comes up as the main reason for not sharing your faith, and that is the fear of rejectiread more
(Sun, 7 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST)
The List had a great premise ... Unfortunately, it failed to live up to its potential and ended up falling into that sad category known as, Its not too badfor a Christian movie...read more
(Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST)
Model Sermon by Rick Ezell ... In Biblical thought, the heart was the central organ that controlled all activities thus determining ones character of living ... The heart housed the place where qualities worth having in our lives were first formed ...read more
(Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST)
Knowing God in an intimate personal way will change our minds and our lives ... But how do we know for certain that we know God ... What about those lingering doubts and questions ... This sermon lays to bed the uncertainty of ones salvation so theyread more
(Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST)
Model sermon by Rick Ezell ... A mind that concentrates on God will be revealed in the way that one lives ... The believer will live by faith as this sermon shows ... Abel, Enoch, and Noah ... For them it was all about the faith ... Faith taken serioread more
(Fri, 5 Mar 2010 00:00:00 CST)
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