Pastor's Blog (Page 37)
all things laid bare
Someone once said, “Integrity is who you are in the dark–when no one is watching.” Consider the following. Some con men in New York City came up with a scam. To pull it off, they appealed to Average Joe’s lack of integrity. They got a bunch of cardboard boxes and stuffed them with bricks and newspapers until the weight felt right, then put…
at what price greatness?
Reid Stowe recently completed an 1152-day nonstop sea voyage. Mr. Stowe, 58, stayed aboard his schooner Anne these three-plus years without returning to land or restocking. He built his 70-foot two-masted sailboat to handle the rigors of the deep. And she did. Short, stubby masts and super-thick rigging enabled Anne to survive a freak wave off of Cape Horn that rolled…
pardon for all
Approximately 45,000,000 turkeys are desperately hoping for a pardon this Thanks-giving season. Turkey pardoning was first mentioned by President Harry Truman in 1947, but there is no evidence to support that he actually pardoned the turkey. Uh oh. President John F. Kennedy spared a turkey days before his assassination, but the bird never received a formal pardon.…
bow down
Quite a fuss has been made over President Obama bowing to Japanese Emperor Akihito.1 Some contend he was just trying to be polite–bowing is a common social gesture in this part of the world. Others are appalled or even angry, convinced he is communicating deference and subservience to Akihito as a superior. I don’t intend to weigh in on that debate. But the…
at what price freedom?
At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1919, an armistice was signed that ended the fighting of the Great War — World War 1. They called it Armistice Day. Every November 11 thereafter, businesses would close their doors at 11 a.m. to honor those who had served in that awful war. With the passing of time it has come to be known as Veterans Day…
a listening heart
Time didn’t allow it Sunday, but I wish we could’ve looked at one more “listening” story. Here’s the Cliff Notes version.1 King Zedekiah — alarmed by the invading Babylonian army — sent word to the prophet Jeremiah: “Please pray to the Lord our God on our behalf.” Apparently, Zedekiah is following the example of his…