Posts from 2022 (Page 6)
SOUND WORDS, FEB 27, 2022
VICTORY Everyone loves the feeling of elation that comes with winning. This is especially true when the victor comes from a disadvantage to pull off the win. It is one thing when your favorite team pulls off a win. It is even better when you are a contributing member of the winning team. Personal victories are exponentially more gratifying than all the others. There can only be one winner in any competition. For some, the thrill and glory of victory…
SOUND WORDS, FEB 20, 2022
For Who is our Hope…? As one reads Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, his love, care, and concern for this group of Christians was quite apparent. “…constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)” Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy shared the greatest worldly connection possible with the Thessalonians: faith, love and hope in Jesus. When Paul…
SOUND WORDS, FEB 13, 2022
VIRTUE Ruth first caught Boaz’s eye as she gleaned in his fields. He made inquiry and learned that she was the young Moabite who accompanied her mother-in-law, Naomi, home. Boaz insisted Ruth remain with his young women to glean. He also ordered his young men not to touch her or to interfere with her work. Knowing of her relationship and devotion to Naomi, Boaz instructed the young men to intentionally leave additional stalks behind for Ruth’s benefit. Naomi sent Ruth…
SOUND WORDS, FEB 6, 2022
WAITING Sleeping, eating and other life sustaining activities consume a significant portion of our lives. We embrace these activities because they are necessary for survival. A multitude of recreational pastimes eat away at the balance of our waking hours. Waiting is also a necessary task, but we typically despise the hours spent in limbo. According to a Timex survey, Americans wait: on average 20 minutes a day for the bus or train, 32 minutes at the doctor, 28 minutes in…
SOUND WORDS, JAN 30, 2022
WANT Want is defined as a lack of or a wish for something. We often think of living in poverty as being “in want”. Poverty is determined relative to the prosperity of each culture. The Apostle Paul relates poverty to our attitude. “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have…
SOUND WORDS, JAN 23, 2022
Weakness Weakness is an unfavorable attribute regardless of one’s perspective. Peace between nations often lies in the perception of military strength and the emotional fortitude of a nation’s leadership. An imbalance between the two emboldens enemies and demoralizes the citizenry. Weakness may be exploited by enemies and consequently, nations may fall. This scenario has played out many times since the beginning of time. Citizens of fallen nations became servants of the oppressor. Opportunity to escape is rare. Exploitation of weakness…
SOUND WORDS, JAN 16, 2022
Wealth King Solomon was blessed with great wealth. This benefit was bestowed upon him because of his humble request for wisdom rather than for fame or fortune. “And God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life-but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king-…
SOUND WORDS, JAN 9, 2022
Anchor of the Soul One of the great and comforting images presented in the book of Hebrews is Jesus Christ as our great high priest ever standing in the presence of Almighty God (Heb. 4-7). That image alone is more than I can completely understand, but the fact He is interceding for you, and I is absolutely awesome. Under the Law of Moses, the Levitical high priest had the privilege and great responsibility of interceding for the nation of Israel.…