... away with it. (It's all a matter of where you pause in the word "Bushel NO." with thanks to Lutheran pastor Earl Pierce) Unfortunately, all too often the church has become the bushel under which we hide the light. A bonfire of insanities is being lit under ... spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power, and of love, and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7). Preacher Wendell L. Griffen reminds us that "Light cannot displace darkness by going under cover. Jesus emphasized that hiding not only frustrates the ...
... than to speak and remove all doubt." That's difficult for a preacher to remember. We are not accustomed to remaining silent. When Oliver Wendell Holmes was asked how one can get elected to a public office, he said, "To be able to listen to others in a sympathetic ... abusive language for those who are nearest and dearest to us. Unleashing sarcasm can cause deep wounds. "Reckless words pierce like a sword ..." (Proverbs 12:18a). Constant criticism will wear a person down and inhibit self-confidence. Parents are ...
... roar, God is near, caring and encouraging, making sure we do not face the darkness alone. But most importantly, God gives us the gift of light which pierces our darkness and liberates us to bloom again. As I reflect on the witness of Paul and Silas, one of the images that keeps coming into ... momentum of evil rolls our way, God takes that momentum, transforms it, and rolls it back into evil’s way. Wendell Wilkie was right when he said, “What a person needs to get ahead is a powerful enemy.” The Chinese ...
