Ecclesiastes 12:10

  Consider a man that most would consider the epitome of a good man. He serves at his church, he gives of his means, he prays daily, never misses Bible class, and has no vices to be seen. He has the “pure and faultless” religion James tells us about, he helps widows and is concerned for the kids. Yet this man, on certain occasions when he is mad or challenged when he is tired or frustrated, will say sometimes he shouldn’t. Just a slip of the tongue. He didn’t mean much by it.  An angry outburst, a half-truth, a bit of gossip, a hint of slander, an insult, a dig, not much of anything. Just some words.  Now what does that make of his religion?  The Bible says it is worthless. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. James 1:26  Wait, he is a good man! What about all the things he does?  It's just some loose talk!  Consider what Jesus tells us in Ma...

  In the story of the prodigal son, we see a young man who leaves home to go into the far country. There he falls into a life of sin and excess. His funds from the inheritance run out but then something tragic happens, a famine. This famine means there isn’t enough for the people of that land much less this young outsider. They let him watch the pigs but won’t even let him eat their slop.  It’s only then that the boy realizes the foolishness of his choices and the need to go home. He thinks he will only be accepted as a hired man, not a son but the hunger has burned away his pride. He does not care anymore. Yet his father accepts him back, it even seems he has been watching the road longing for his return. A celebration ensues, rejoicing over the lost one that has come home.  Have we considered however what got him to come home?  If not for the famine the young man may never have had the epiphany that he needed to come back. Famines are terrible things and they don’...

   After the recent Olympics, I am sure you have heard about the medals the athletes have received. While Gold, Silver, and Bronze are the ones we see most often given, there is a fourth medal that may be the greatest of all.  The Pierre de Coubertin is given to those who epitomize good sportsmanship or particularly noteworthy contributions to the Games. A rare award, it is only handed out when the Olympic committee believes someone has truly earned it. For instance, in 1988 Lawerance Lemieux, a Canadian sailor, received it for abandoning his race when he saw some other competitors capsize. In second place at the time, He knew the men were injured and in danger of being taken out to sea, so he pulled them from the boat and waited till help arrived. He was unable to catch back up and finished in 11th place.  Another time it was awarded to an Austrian Bobsledder who gave a critical part to his rival that allowed them to win the gold and keep him from it. The award ...