“The further we are away from suffering—our own or someone else’s—the weaker our theology will be.”—–Peter Rosenberger on afr
EASIER TO PREACH AT A FUNERAL
September 18, 2024 By Leave a Comment
It is easier to preach at a funeral than at a wedding.
What is the first thing a preacher has to accomplish when he preaches ?
He must get the attention of the people in front of him.
At a funeral there is less distraction and more readiness to listen for comfort and direction, because of the devastating loss and uncertain future.
A wedding is loaded with nothing but distractions—certainty, confidence, elation, anticipation of positive future starting in a couple hours, to say nothing of fashion finery, smiles about the occasion, and justified focus on two people.
Poor preacher—lots of luck getting attention—usually calls for special techniques.
– – –
Now here is a Bible verse the preacher may meditate on in preparing a wedding message, so he has perspective on the occasion.
“Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart.”
We must not forget the realities of life and death, just because we’re supposed to be happy.
Likewise at a funeral, we must not forget the realities of life and death, just because we’re supposed to be sad.
A preacher must use both opportunities, at a funeral and at a wedding, to include the Gospel message, that we all need Jesus—admit we are sinners, accept Jesus’ payment for our sins, and get our names written in heaven.
OXYMORON – – – OR JUST NOT SO !
September 18, 2024 By Leave a Comment
I’ve been a Christian all my life.
NO PAIN – NO GAIN – – – THEN AND NOW
September 18, 2024 By Leave a Comment
NO PAIN—NO GAIN
Fine motivational poster/slogan for youth fitness, generally based on fact.
Now, for seniors, the saying takes on a different wording, also largely based on fact.
PAIN—NO GAIN
IN WAR, NO SUBSTITUTE FOR . . .
September 18, 2024 By Leave a Comment
“In war, there is no substitute for victory.”
“The prerequisite to peace is victory.”
“Peace through strength.”
– – –
DEI—Diversity, Equity, Inclusion—is the antithesis, the opposite of the above quotes, the opposite of standing for truth, fighting for truth, resisting the “broad road that leads to destruction.”*
The three words of DEI seem to call for passivity and submission (weakness), instead of strength and conviction—except for those imposing and enforcing DEI on everybody else.
DEI condemns anyone who believes in truth and defends what is right and rejects what is wrong.
The call for openness, acceptance, tolerance becomes the strongest agent for judging and rejecting and eliminating anyone who does not comply.
– – –
DEI in reality is a complete oxymoron—
DIVERSITY
—positive – polished presentation to accept all kinds of ‘new’ ideas for utopia
—negative – oxymoron – reality – create dissatisfaction with what you have, to make socialism seem so desirable (hidden dagger—socialism leads to marxism to communism to totalitarianism to tyranny to death—by the millions—history)
EQUITY
—positive – polished promise of fair and equal for everyone
—negative – oxymoron – reality – create dissatisfaction with injustices of the past—corrected by dismantling existing structures, with total control to make everybody the same to force universal equality—equal poverty, equal slavery
INCLUSION
—positive – polished claims of acceptance, to be all things to all people
—negative – oxymoron – reality – create dissatisfaction over suppression of certain groups, invent blame on other groups, foster unrest, upheaval, and violence—total control takes over, decides who is included, who lives, who does not.
*DEI is the epitome of the “broad road that leads to destruction.”
It sounds so open, so inviting, so easy to enter.
Then reality sets in, brutal force takes over, and evil laughs.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”—–Jesus
Indeed, following Jesus is not easy—He never said it would be.
“You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood, striving against sin.”
TALK = DONE (oh yeah ?)
September 18, 2024 By Leave a Comment
I have a conclusion comment about
–discuss (talk)
–discussed (talked)
–disgusted (talked+ed)
– – –
“Over the years, I have observed that nearly every conversation about what needs to get done—actually ensures that it doesn’t get done ! ! !”
– – –
(article on this site NO WASTED)
– – –
Funny how saying something exempts from doing something.
Funny how saying something makes you feel like you did something.
Funny how saying something makes you feel free to forget about it.
– – –
Apply this to politics and politicians—next time you hear someone talking (even the good guys who seem to stand for the right things).
So, repeating the above for emphasis, to get you to apply it to real people that come to mind as you read it again—
“Over the years, I have observed that nearly every conversation about what needs to get done—actually ensures that it doesn’t get done ! ! !”
– – –
(article on this site NO WASTED)
– – –
Funny how saying something exempts from doing something.
Funny how saying something makes you feel like you did something.
Funny how saying something makes you feel free to forget about it.