Politicians from President Eisenhower to President Ronald Reagan, including President Bill Clinton, and Secretary Hillary Clinton often quote or refer to a statement purportedly made by Alexis De Tocqueville. However, the quote is not in any of his publicized works. The quote even made in into President-elect Trump's campaign slogan. This alleged quote states, "I sought for … Continue reading Making America Great
Church
Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign
Now that the song from Five Man Electical Band (or if you are younger - Tesla) is stuck in your head, I want to talk about church signs. Not the sign for the congregational name, but those marquee or digital message signs. I have a love-hate relationship with these signs, although they don't know it. I … Continue reading Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign
Expatriate Patriotism
Sunday is an anniversary of an event that momentarily changed the United States. Most, if not all of us, who were alive and aware that day fifteen years ago will always remember the Eleventh of September. The images are forever implanted in our minds eye. We still see the Twin Towers of the World Trade … Continue reading Expatriate Patriotism
Church Assemblies circa A.D. 150
I found this quote nearly 30 years ago and I keep it bookmarked in the source. It is in Cairns, Earle E., Christianity Through the Centuries: A History of the Christian Church (Zondervan:Grand Rapids) 1981, pp. 83. Quoting from The First Apology by Justin Martyr (A.D. 150-155) and the Didache (A.D. 90-150), Cairns records: "The service, … Continue reading Church Assemblies circa A.D. 150
The Beauty of Christ’s Body
Yesterday I read a piece in the Huffington Post from and author who was disappointed in the congregation of the Lord's Body that she attended from childhood. She shared an incident or two that would be enough to disillusion anyone. Sadly, using large brush strokes, she in many ways blames every church of Christ. After … Continue reading The Beauty of Christ’s Body
Breakfast of Ministers or Lessons from WH
Wheaties may be the breakfast of champions, but for Will Sharp, J Hall, and I that honor belongs to Waffle House. Sometime in the last year, we began meeting every Tuesday at Waffle House for breakfast. We take this time to talk about anything, but especially the work at Central. Will is the Campus Minister … Continue reading Breakfast of Ministers or Lessons from WH
You Are Missed
They weren't here. I did not see them. I am looking at the list of "absentees" from worship this past month and like every month, I wonder, "why are they not attending regularly?" Is it the preaching? Is it our congregational singing? Are we not welcoming? Do they not feel important, needed, and appreciated? Do … Continue reading You Are Missed
Take Your Hat Off and Stay
This is an edit of a post from 2012. With all the political correctness going on and people not wanting their feelings hurt by being told they are wrong, I thought I would update and share. A well-to-do family hired a maid to keep the house and laundry clean. All the first day the new maid … Continue reading Take Your Hat Off and Stay
Voting the Lethargic Ticket
When I was a teenager, I was reading through a BC Comic book. In one particular strip, Peter and Curls were discussing an upcoming election. There discussion then sums up how many of us feel 30-40 years later. Peter asked Curls if he was voting for the Apathy Party or the Lethargic Party. Curls replied, … Continue reading Voting the Lethargic Ticket
Hitchhiker’s Church History
Douglas Adams quotes to his readers from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe’s entry on Galactic Civilizations. According to the Guide civilization pass through three stages before their demise. The stages are: Survival, Inquiry, and Sophistication otherwise known as How, Why, and Where. Adams explains it in terms similar to this: Survival - “How are … Continue reading Hitchhiker’s Church History
Driving Thought 