Those of us who preach receive a variety of post-sermon responses. One of my most remembered, was a good-intentioned, yet devastating comment from a dear lady who said, “Bro. Dan, every sermon you preach is better than the next one.” Think about it. That’s a comment, not a compliment. We who preach cringe when someone…
From Iowa to New Hampshire to South Carolina we’ve been hearing how to make America great. Want-a-be-Presidents act as if America is no longer the greatest nation in the world and assure us, if elected, they will exalt us to new levels of greatness. Solomon, considered by his contemporizes as the wisest man of his…
A recent study of a major symphony revealed how orchestra members perceived each other. Percussionists were seen as insensitive, yet fun-loving. String players were perceived as arrogant and stuffy. Brass players were judged as loud. Woodwind players were described as quiet, though a bit egotistical. With this diversity of feeling for each other, members of…
I got caught by the police! Red handed! On Christmas Day! Every year I purchase Starbucks’s Gift Cards, drive around on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day giving them to Police Officers with a quick, “Thanks for working on Christmas.” This is done anonymously in the tradition of one of the early versions of Santa Claus,…
“Remember the Reason” proclaimed the Googled banner on my Christmas morning Facebook post. So, how did we do? In the midst of the now-normal Christmas activities, did we remember the real reason for the season, or did the birth of the Christ-child get lost in the tinsel and tunes of the holidays. I confess that…
One of my prayers this Christmas revolves around a word, actually two words. These two words make all the difference in how Christmas is observed. For many people, Christmas is an event – by definition, an observable occurrence, a gathering. It is an event marked by parties, gifts, parades, decorations, family gatherings, etc. While these…
“It is possible to work in a bakery and lose one’s appetite for bread” so said Vance Havner. I guess that explains why I no longer have a desire for some of the ministry things that I used to do with gusto. I’m currently reading Billy Graham’s new book, “Nearing Home” and it’s reassuring to…
This week I will speak briefly to graduates at my own Alma Mater, my last official function as President of the Alumni Associations’ Board of Directors. I’m not sure how much graduates actually hear at commencement services, but should some be listening, I will tell them that from this day forward, their University days will…
Sophocles, an early Greek playwright, said, “When a man has lost all happiness, he’s not alive. Call him a breathing corpse.” He must have been correct. By the thirteenth century Thomas Aquinas, an Italian philosopher and scholar said, “There is within every soul a thirst for happiness.” So, we do need something to make us…
Nine out of ten could be unacceptable. The week-end Quarterback who throws nine incomplete passes out of ten attempts is unacceptable. The student who misses nine questions out of a ten question exam, is unacceptable. The salesperson who fails nine times to make a sale when offered ten good prospects, is unacceptable. Jesus understood this…