In Sermon Illustrations:

When Was The Last Time You Took Some Time Out To ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 3, 2007

When was the last time you took some time out to play the age-old children’s game, “Who am I? Well, after the sermon this morning you will be able to tell all of your friends that you last played it at church during the worship service. That is how we are going to start out this morning, with a ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Some Time Ago My Wife And I Were Watching ...  PRO

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 3, 2007

Some time ago my wife and I were watching Biography. It was about the development of the papacy, starting with Peter. Following the ascension Peter went to Rome. He is talked about some in Acts and Paul’s letters so his travel to Rome is taken pretty much at face value. They said, however, that ...read more

Tags: Christian Disciplines, Cross Agony

Denomination: Methodist

When I Was Working On My Undergraduate Degree I ...

Contributed by Keith Broyles on Oct 3, 2007

When I was working on my undergraduate degree I took a couple of classes in geology. Most of the time I was asking myself the age-old question that many students ask as they go through some class that they don’t want to take, “Why do I have to take this class?” As the class went on we talked ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

This Past Christmas, The Dallas Family From Our ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 2, 2007

This past Christmas, the Dallas family from our church gave us a wonderful gift of Noah’s Ark complete with hand-carved animals. The problem is that it is especially fascinating to children. We have had to glue poor Noah back together more than once. After one visit from our grandchildren, we ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Sheep Are Not Particularly Bright Animals. It Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 2, 2007

Sheep are not particularly bright animals. It is not that they occasionally wander off, it is their pattern. It is predictable and expected. They are easily distracted and easily led astray. A story ran in the Washington Post in 2005 telling about shepherds in Gevas, Turkey who watched in shock ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Donald Miller, In His Excellent Book Searching ...

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Oct 2, 2007

Donald Miller, in his excellent book Searching for God Knows What, tells about going to a Bible college where he taught one of the classes. Speaking to this group of Bible students, he told them he was going to present the plan of salvation, but he was going to leave out one key element, and they ...read more

Scripture: John 17:3

Denomination: Methodist

Sometimes You And I Might Think, "When I Get More ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Sep 30, 2007

Sometimes you and I might think, “when I get more money I’ll start tithing.” But most people whom we know who are identified as millionaires or billionaires started out small. And many built what they have done on the tithe. I often think of the example of billionaire John D. Rockefeller, ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

I Like Some Of What Edwene Gaines Writes About ...  PRO

Contributed by Don Hawks on Sep 30, 2007

I like some of what Edwene Gaines writes about although I do not agree with all her views on spirituality. But I have learned enough from her writings that I decided not to be bothered in areas where I disagree. I find her life story and spiritual journey though to be compelling. Years before she ...read more

Tags: Spirit, Eat, The Word

Denomination: Methodist

Twentieth Centuries. His Wife Was A Minister's ...  PRO

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 21, 2007

twentieth centuries. His wife was a minister’s daughter, and their Church was College Avenue Methodist Church in Somerville, Massachusetts [SOURCE: http://www.ethicalstl.org/platforms/platform071199.shtml]. Many of his, matter-of-fact poems still speak vividly to us today. I have always ...read more

Tags: Lord's Prayer, Prayer How To

Denomination: Methodist

In Giving His Personal Advises Near The End Of ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 21, 2007

In giving his personal advises near the end of his classic work A PLAIN ACCOUNT OF CHRISTIAN PERFECTION John Wesley affirms: God does nothing but in answer to prayer; and even they who have been converted to God without praying for it themselves, (which is exceeding ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

In Alford, Lord Tennyson's Epic Poem Idylls Of ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 21, 2007

In Alford, Lord Tennyson’s Epic Poem IDYLLS OF THE KING, “Idyll 12: The Passing of Arthur,” King Arthur is dying. He speaks these inspiring words to his friend Sir Bedivere: I have lived my life, and that which I have done May He within Himself make pure! But thou, If thou shouldst never see my ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

A Want Is Something I Would Like To Have, ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 16, 2007

A want is something I would like to have, something I may wish or long for, something that I find desirable, but it is not something that I must absolutely have. I can live without having all my wants supplied, but all my needs must be met. Some personal examples quickly come to my mind. I had ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Charing Cross Is The Geographical Center Of ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 4, 2007

Charing Cross is the geographical center of London, England, and the location of one of the primary railway stations in the city. The name stems from the fact that King Edward I erected a cross on that site in memory of his wife Eleanor after her death in 1290. “All distances in the United ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

My First Pastoral Appointment Was The Marissa And ...  PRO

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 4, 2007

My first pastoral appointment was the Marissa and Zion United Methodist Charge in St. Clair County, Illinois, about forty miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Zion had only three members and no electricity or running water. In past decades light had been provided in the sanctuary by kerosene, ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Today We Celebrate Holy Communion. In Our ...  PRO

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 1, 2007

Today we celebrate Holy Communion. In our Methodist and Anglican traditions the spirit of repentance has always been at the heart and center in observing this holy sacrament. Traditionally since the publication of the first BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER in 1549 and John Wesley’s 1784 work THE SUNDAY ...read more

Tags: Righteousness, Bread Of Life

Denomination: Methodist

Dr. Norman Shawchuck Has Pastored United ...

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Sep 1, 2007

Dr. Norman Shawchuck has pastored United Methodist congregations in North Dakota and Indiana and is a prolific author and retreat leader in the area of spiritual formation. His contemporary prayer of repentance is so personally powerful: “O God, I surrender to you the habits and sins that, like ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Here Is A Sign That Was Posted On A Bathroom ...

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Aug 30, 2007

Here is a SIGN that was posted on a BATHROOM DOOR Attention Everyone: The Bathroom Door is Closed! Please do not stand there and talk, whine or ask questions. Wait until I get out. Yes, it is locked. I want it that way. No, it is not broken; I am not trapped. I know I have left it unlocked, and ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

One Out Of Three Children In The United States ...

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Aug 30, 2007

One out of three children in the United States are growing up without a father present in the home. Last year in a number of major U.S. cities more children were born out of wedlock than within. The American home is in crisis. Very serious diseases are affecting and infecting our home life. Things ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Two Paddleboats Left Port About The Same Time ...

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Aug 30, 2007

Two paddleboats left port about the same time down the Mississippi River. As they traveled side by side, the sailors began to taunt one another; challenging words were exchanged until finally a race began. After a time, one boat began falling behind; its fuel supply nearly expended. Although there ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Installing Husband 1.0  PRO

Contributed by Kent Kessler on Aug 30, 2007

INSTALLING HUSBAND 1.0 Dear Tech Support, Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance -- particularly in the flower and jewelry applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0. In addition, Husband 1.0 ...read more

Denomination: Methodist