Contributed by Scott Jensen on May 15, 2008
When you take a public speaking class, you’re often told that an attention getting step is one of the best ways to keep your audience focused on what you want them to hear. People tend to notice when you say something that seems out of place or show something people can look at. I once used a
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Denomination:
Lutheran
THE GREAT OMISSION
Dallas Willard is a professor at the University of Southern California's School of Philosophy. He is also a Christian lay person. And he writes books. Lots of books. One of his books is entitled The Great Omission. And what he does in that book is this: he shows how the church
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Denomination:
Presbyterian/Reformed
Contributed by Larry Vinson on Jun 17, 2008
I have a lot of friends in ministry, and one in particular had a chance to say what he had been waiting to say to his now former church when he resigned from his position. He had only been there six months, but it was long enough to realize that there were some problems within that particular
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Denomination:
Christian/Church Of Christ
It is like the brand new, high tech fire helmets sent to a big city fire department to try recently. They were shiny, reflected light, had adjustable sizes, even a built in radio receiver. There was only one problem. When they were exposed to high heat they melted. But our lives are like that.
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Denomination:
Methodist
Contributed by Betty Johnson on Sep 22, 2008
In a little fishing village in Scotland, the people gathered to welcome home a fishing vessel that had been away at sea for many days. As the boat neared the shore, the men gazed eagerly toward the dock where a group of their loved ones were waiting. The skipper, looking through his telescope,
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Denomination:
Wesleyan
My brother-in-law, Bob, works in the San Angelo school district. He said one day a bunch of the staff were car-pooling from one place to another for a meeting. When he got in his truck, a guy he didn't even know jumped in the passenger seat and said, "I'm riding with you. You're the only one of
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Christian/Church Of Christ
Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Dec 31, 2008
based on 3 ratings
| 8,750 views
Forgiveness is Freedom
Forgiveness is surrendering my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness does not pretend there was no offense; it does not dismiss wrongdoing. It does not say, "Oh, that's all right; forget it." True forgiveness is realistic.
Lewis Smedes gave a great definition:
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Denomination:
Pentecostal
Contributed by Todd Catteau on Feb 24, 2009
Linda was on vacation, playing the slot machines. It was her first time in a casino, and she wasn’t sure how the machines operated.
"Excuse me," she said to a casino employee. "How does this work?" The worker showed her how to insert a bill, hit the spin button, and operate the release
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Denomination:
Christian/Church Of Christ
based on 1 rating
| 5,248 views
GIVING, GREED AND SALVATION
A very old rich skinflint in declining health finally gets serious about his eternal state. He goes to the local pastor and asks what he can do to account for the fact that he’s never given God much time or given the church a dime. The pastor just looks at him with that
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Denomination:
United Methodist
Contributed by Paul Wallace on Mar 25, 2009
Love is patient and kind. Sometimes we need to be careful what we say and learn to think on our feet to say positive things about people. The story is told about a 6’ 10 “ Texan who walked up to the counter at McDonalds, slammed down his big fist and said to the girl behind the counter, “I want
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Denomination:
Wesleyan
Contributed by Bobby Scobey on Jul 20, 2009
In A View from the Zoo, Gary Richmond, a former zoo keeper, has this to say:
Raccoons go through a glandular change at about 24 months. After that they often attack their owners. Since a 30-pound raccoon can be equal to a 100-pound dog in a scrap, I felt compelled to mention the change coming to a
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Denomination:
Pentecostal
Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Aug 16, 2009
WORTHLESS SLAVES
Rewards from God are never merited as something God owes us but come as a free gift from his grace. Jesus brought this home at another time with a short story. Suppose you had a slave plowing the fields. Now when that slave came in, would you say, "Sit down and I’ll get you some
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Denomination:
Lutheran
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 19, 2009
based on 1 rating
| 3,245 views
GOOD JEALOUSY
Dennis De Haan illustrates:
Shep, the newest member of our family, is a young Shetland sheepdog who openly displays his jealousy when I kiss my wife. He doesn’t snarl or bite, but in the language of barking he seems to be saying, "Hey, Master, you belong to me!" His jealousy gives
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Denomination:
Independent/Bible
Contributed by Rodelio Mallari on Dec 13, 2010
SIN IS LIKE A RACCOON
In A View from the Zoo, Gary Richmond, a former zookeeper, has this to say:
Raccoons go through a glandular change at about 24 months. After that they often attack their owners. Since a 30-pound raccoon can be equal to a 100-pound dog in a scrap, I felt compelled to mention
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Denomination:
*other