Sound Words
SOUND WORDS, JUNE 23, 2024
WHAT’S WRONG WITH ‘SITUATIONAL ETHICS’? Joseph Fletcher (1905-1991), an Episcopal priest, was the most famous proponent of “situation ethics.” In a book entitled “Situation Ethics: The New Morality” he formalized a view that is commonly accepted by many individuals. Here are some quotes from Fletcher’s book: “For the situationist there are no rules – none at all.” p. 55 “And therefore what is sometimes good may at other times be evil, and what is sometimes wrong may sometimes be right…
SOUND WORDS, JUNE 16TH, 2024
THE PRIVILEGE OF PRIVATE PRAYER Prayer is such a privilege, such an exalted advantage. It implies connection to the Almighty, an adjoining to our Creator. What joy to pray and know we will be heard. What unspeakable joy! “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if ye ask anything according to His will, He heareth us” (1 John 5:15). I doubt there could be a better or more blessed assurance than to know that God not…
SOUND WORDS, JUNE 9TH, 2024
UNTIL WE HAVE EARS Men seldom see things alike. It’s not that reality wears so many faces; it’s just that men choose to look at things differently. Some people in Jesus’ day were sure that He was the Son of God, but they were in the minority. Many very religious people thought He kept the wrong company—prostitutes, well-known extortioners, notorious people. And, after all, “a man is known by the company he keeps.” He said He spent His time with…
SOUND WORDS, JUNE 2, 2024
WHAT IF EVERYONE IN THE LOCAL CHURCH WAS LIKE YOU? People make up local churches. Thus, the stronger the individual Christians are who make up a particular local church, the stronger that church is. What if everyone in the local church was just like you? Would it be a church that is strong or weak? Would it be a church that is pleasing or displeasing to Christ? If everyone in the church was like you, what kind of attendance would…
SOUND WORDS, MAY 26, 2024
GENTLENESS I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4:1-3) In a world full of annoyances, frustrations, disagreements, misunderstandings, and short tempers, disciples of Jesus have been called to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.…
SOUND WORDS, MAY 18, 2O24
DEALING WITH OTHERS Dealing with others is not always easy. What should I say? How much should I believe of what I hear? Is there another side to the story I’ve been told? Am I being fair in my dealings with others? These and other questions must be answered. When we deal with others there is always the potential for differences to arise. When those differences come it is easy to forget to use some common sense rules in our…
SOUND WORDS, MAY 11, 2024
WHY DOESN’T THE LOCAL CHURCH CONTRIBUTE TO BUSINESSES THAT HELP PEOPLE? The church we read about in the Bible belongs to God and was planned by Him before the creation of the world (Eph.3:8-11). It was to make known the wisdom of God (3:10). It was built by Jesus Christ, our Lord, (Matt.16:18), who is its foundation (1 Cor.3:11), and was purchased by His precious blood (Acts 20:28). When God raised Christ from the dead, He gave Him all authority…
SOUND WORDS, MAY 5, 2O24
MESSY ACCOMPLISHMENTS I was talking with my infusion nurse this week about difficulties starting IVs on people who are “hard sticks” (like me). She told me a story about when she was new working in the ER and not sure if she was going to make it at the job. One night they were short-staffed, and despite the fact she was inexperienced, she had to start an IV on a particularly hard case, an older lady with no veins to…