I caught the last snippet of a commercial where someone was identified as a celebrity landscaper. Well of course—why just be a landscaper when you can be a celebrity landscaper? The possibilities are endless: celebrity school teacher, celebrity pharmacist, celebrity construction worker. And let’s not forget the kids—we can have celebrity teenagers, celebrity children, and celebrityContinue reading “Celebrities or Servants?”
Category Archives: community
Building the Patience Bridge
I heard a college president speak to a group of honor students. He congratulated them on their academic achievements and then went on to make the point that what would determine whether they would be successful in their chosen fields wouldn’t be their technical or academic knowledge—but the utilization of their soft skills. He notedContinue reading “Building the Patience Bridge”
A Tree in the Rocks
Saul had come out to take his life. And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God,” (1 Samuel 23:15-16). When we were living in central Arkansas, one of our favorite places to go was Pinnacle Mountain, located just west of Little Rock. As the picture suggests, it’s not much more than aContinue reading “A Tree in the Rocks”
Brand Names and Brotherhood
“Church” is a relational word! It is used in the New Testament to speak of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:20-23, 2:19-22), or our relationship with other Christians in the assembly, a local congregation, or the universal body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12:13). In fact, a quick look at the names used in the NewContinue reading “Brand Names and Brotherhood”
Is the Church a Hospital?
The church is a hospital for sinners . . . is a truth worth telling! Jesus’ justification to the Pharisees for His embracing of tax collectors and sinners was that they were sick and in need of a physician (Matthew 9:9ff). He went on to say that had the Pharisees understood the prophets, they would know that GodContinue reading “Is the Church a Hospital?”
A Day at the Zoo and Buyer’s Remorse
If it’s a good one, a zoo can be a great place to go. For suburbanites, it’s a vivid reminder of what the big world outside of theirs is like. But to all, it’s a menagerie of sights, sounds, and smells. The sizes, colors, and shapes God has employed in His creation of the animal kingdom is astounding—koalaContinue reading “A Day at the Zoo and Buyer’s Remorse”
A Crime Against the Church
There was a serious issue at Corinth. The problem was they had exalted certain disciples among them (specifically Paul and Apollos—see 3:4ff). While there’s nothing wrong and plenty right with having leaders who model correct attitudes and behaviors (11:1), the situation at Corinth went far beyond that. The disciples had not only put Paul andContinue reading “A Crime Against the Church”
It Happened in a Waiting Room
I had one of my knees replaced not long ago, so I’m going to physical therapy three times a week. I suppose as therapy places go, this one is neither huge nor small—somewhere in between. I like to get there a few minutes early to check in and not be rushed. There’s almost always someoneContinue reading “It Happened in a Waiting Room”
Life or Death?
The NY Times daily newsletter (The Morning) had a piece in it by John Ismay called, The Weapons of War. It was a sad piece of journalism. (That has nothing to do with the way the article was written and absolutely everything to do with the subject matter). Ismay detailed the bombs, missiles, drones, and systemsContinue reading “Life or Death?”
Protective Isn’t Always Productive
Melissa Kirsch writes The Morning newsletter on Saturdays for the NY Times. Because it’s the Saturday edition, her lead piece isn’t about hard news—it’s usually lifestyle oriented. As Kirsch says, “My beat is broadly about how to live a meaningful life.” Saturday’s edition contained this gem: My retreat into books while on the train isContinue reading “Protective Isn’t Always Productive”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 