Sound Words (Page 20)

Priorities It is now Thursday evening and I have this article to write and a weekly bulletin to publish. Two sermons need to be finished. Welcome slides and readings have yet to be updated in PowerPoint. I still have obligations to my employer. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has presented an unending list of challenges in my son’s purchase and registration of a pickup truck. I promised to help my in-laws Friday night and Saturday. No pressure, right? Ordinarily this would…

Work Mondays have become the universal symbol representing dislike for work. Transitioning from a traditional weekend of rest, recreation and worship to focused endeavor can be challenging. “It feels like a Monday” is a common response to the question, “How are you today?” regardless of the weekday on which the question is posed.  While some dread work, many are absorbed in it. Some are so deeply invested in their work that they have no identity outside of their occupation. Others…

This World is Not My Home This world is an astounding place. Immense oceans, majestic mountains, enormous canyons, and fertile plains exist in an abundance of vibrant colors. The planet is populated with living things which are alike in kind but distinctly individual. This is true of snowflakes, grains of sand, blades of grass and of people. God is due the credit for all of it. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1 NKJV) “The…

Worry It is human nature to be concerned. Health, finances, relationships, children and plans consume our thoughts and our time. We wonder about present circumstances and the future implications of decisions. We plan, forecast and analyze in an effort to predict and control outcomes. Doing so without considering God is arrogant on our part. “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make…

Worship The first allusion to worship occurs in Genesis chapter four where we find “Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat.” (Genesis 4:3-4 NKJV) Knowing that Abel’s offering was the result of faith we rightly conclude that he was acting in obedience to God’s commandment. (Romans 10:17) Following the birth of Enosh to Seth, son of Adam and Eve, “men began…

Youth Oh, to be young again! How many times has that thought crossed our mind or have those words crossed our lips? There are so many reasons to cherish youth. The early years of our existence on this planet are typically filled with health and happiness. Children have unlimited energy, enthusiasm, and optimism. They are quick to laugh, eager to love and quick to forgive. Children are the perfect example of godly character. “Then Jesus called a little child to…

Respect Mankind has tremendous capacity to surprise. Perhaps I have become disillusioned living in proximity to a sizable city where manners and courtesy are in short supply. Gracious grammar has been replaced with curt and casual replies. “Thank you” has been replaced with “no problem”. “I’m sorry, that was my fault” is now “my bad”. The lack of respect is most apparent while commuting. That experience can range from frustrating to downright terrifying. My preference is for a more peaceful…

Zeal To have zeal is to have great energy or enthusiasm. That energy is usually directed toward a cause or area of interest in our life. Such was true of the Apostle Paul. “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death,…