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  • Eugene Adkins 6:31 am on May 13, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge, ,   

    It’s About Time (This is a “Nudge”) 

    Much of life is about time, and time is that commodity that captures the human imagination. Even Pink Floyd made a few bucks, and amazingly quite a bit of sense, singing about time to a bunch of spaced out brains.

    The Bible encourages us to place a great emphasis on spending the time we’re given wisely with verses like:

    wrist watch

    Take care then how you are living, not as unwise, but as wise; Making good use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16 - BBE)

    So give your advice. There are probably a lot more answers that you might think of at first, so take some time to think about it.

    What are some wise ways we that need to be spending our time?

     
    • J. Randal Matheny 9:47 am on May 13, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Getting away from the time wasters, first off, and finding ways to invite those we know to know the Lord.

    • Ron Thomas 9:54 am on May 13, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      For me, down time is good. Too much of it is a waste, but a little, in my view is not. During the evening hours I could do much better than I do. I generally work about 6-7 days a week – and it is not work to me at all. On occasion, however, some additional down-time is good. Today, I will play some golf. I have to balance that “play” with any corresponding guilt that might come along.

  • Eugene Adkins 7:09 am on March 28, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Forgivness, , , Nudge   

    Nudge: A Question About Grace 

    God’s grace is truly dynamic!

    I was thinking about the grace of God and wondered to myself (and now to you), “Does God’s grace cover sins because it converts souls, or does it convert souls because it covers sin?”

    What do you think? It is one or the other, or is it both?

    Think about it and chip in. I have my answer, but I’d love to hear yours!

     
    • Ron Thomas 2:57 pm on March 28, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      God’s grace teaches us to deny ungodliness(Titus 2:11-12), thus God’s grace has us to deny the continuation of our sins and then He covers them. Otherwise, it seems to me that both would work.

      • Eugene Adkins 10:02 pm on March 28, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Ron. Titus 2:10-12 is exactly the place I was thinking of when it comes to sins being covered because of our conversion by grace. On the other hand I was thinking of the woman in Simon the Pharisee’s house when it comes to being converted by God’s grace because it covers (Luke 7:36-48). She desired God’s grace through Jesus because she knew/believed that it would cover her sins, i.e. she was “converted” simply because God’s grace gave her the opportunity to have her sins covered.

        I don’t know if dichotomy is exactly the right word to describe what I was getting at, but I believe dynamic hits the nail pretty close to the head. Thanks again.

    • Don Ruhl 3:48 pm on March 29, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      I would say that it does both like faith. Faith saves us, but it also keeps us saved. Faith converts our souls, covering our sins simultaneously, but the turning of our souls from sin increases our faith.

      • Eugene Adkins 4:34 pm on March 29, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        I agree that the answer is both. I hope no one sees my question as splitting a hair that’s not there. Maybe it’s kinda like asking which is more important in keeping a paper up on the fridge – the magnet or the metal underneath.

        It’s just interesting to me how both the options are the right answer but the answer can depend upon the perspective. For one who wants to be closer to God, the covering of sins is the benefit. For those who want to have their sins covered, being closer to God is the benefit (see the Titus and Luke reference made to Ron).

        It was just an interesting, entertaining and entreating thought to me. Thanks for chipping in, Don.

        • Don Ruhl 11:37 am on March 30, 2013 Permalink

          I do not think it is splitting a hair, but just helping us to probe deeper in the things of God.

  • Eugene Adkins 4:05 pm on February 17, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , John 1, Nudge,   

    My Sunday Morning Sermon 

    I continued the sermon series that I started last week in John’s gospel. This week’s title was “Things Are Looking Up”

    I used John 1:14-18 to talk about how the “Word of God” got ”Wrapped Up”

    I used John 1:19-28 to talk about how John “Spoke Up” about the Messiah

    I used John 1:29-34 to talk about how God’s will started “Opening Up” for John

    After some expository/exegete preaching from these verses with those headings I used them to make some applications for us. Here’s a little bit:

    1) There’s a good reason to get wrapped up in the story we read about Jesus. That’s because He cares. We have a mediator who feels for us because He felt for us (Hebrews 4:15-16).

    2) We need to be willing to speak up and go on the record for Jesus. If John was willing to speak up for the coming Messiah then we should be willing to speak up for the Messiah who has come (Matthew 10:32-33).

    3) If we want God’s will to open up for us then we need to open up His word. Faith in Jesus is found only in the word of God (Romans 10:17) and if we want to learn about the will of God for our lives when it comes to the Lamb of God then we need to open the word that teaches us all about it.

    I’m trying to figure out a way to post this sermon’s (and last week’s) audio to the website. I can get the audio file off of my phone and onto my computer, but from there it’s a little more tricky for me. I’m no techie but I’m trying.

     
    • J. Randal Matheny 6:09 pm on February 17, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      Looks good! If you’re hosted on wordpress.com, you’ll have to upgrade to be able to post an audio file. If you lack for options, I can put you on FPress/Posterous, and you can email it to there, then link to it.

      • Eugene Adkins 7:14 am on February 18, 2013 Permalink | Reply

        That’s what I pretty much figured out. As far putting them on FPress/Posterous I can email them to you for you do as you like, but I don’t want you to have to go out of your way for this. It’s nothing that needs/has to be done; I was just playing around with some new tech and thought I would give it a shot.

  • Eugene Adkins 5:52 am on January 4, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Nudge, ,   

    Nudge: What Do You Know About The “Tech”nical Gospel? 

    I have some tech questions:

    Does anyone know of any good, free Bible related apps?

    Also, do you know of any apps (and things like podcasts) that are put out by the brotherhood?

    If you have found one (or several) to be particularly useful in your studies, share what you know.

     
  • Eugene Adkins 6:33 am on December 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Nudge,   

    Nudge: Why Does God Encourage Children to be in Subjection to their Parents? 

    It’s not really open for debate – from the 10 Commandments of Moses’s Law, to the 6th Chapter of Ephesians, to the scathing rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees concerning the personal care (or the lack thereof) for their parents and ultimately God in Mark 7, God says children must take note of their parents when it comes to writing the chapters of their life story.

    So here’s the nudge: Why is this such an important issue to God, and what about honoring parents who do not care for God or for His way of life?

    I’d love to hear your answers, especially to the later part since so many young people (including Christians) deal with this family situation in our culture today.

     
  • Eugene Adkins 6:26 am on November 27, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge,   

    Nudge…What Song Would Jonah Have Sung? 

    I didn’t ask (maybe I should have), but I don’t think Randal will mind if I use a “nudge” to try and get some conversation going this morning. It’s been a long while since I’ve seen one anyways. So here you go. Let me know what you think.

    One of the amazing things to me about some of God’s people recorded in the Bible was their ability to sing in hard or even perilous times. Take Paul and Silas for the easiest example. Shackled in a stinking prison with open wounds on their body – and they’re singing at midnight…loud enough for other prisoners to hear them. Wow!

    Here’s the nudge, if you so choose to participate: One person that comes to mind when it comes to facing a perilous time is Jonah. I know the scriptures say nothing about him singing, and I’m not trying to make them say it; but if Jonah was to have sung a song in his temporary jail cell, what do you think it would have been? For example, I think he could’ve sung, “Where Could I Go?” This is especially true when it comes to the chorus that echoes, “Where could I go, O where could I go, Seeking a refuge for my soul? Needing a friend to save me in the end, Where could I but to the Lord?

    What say ye when it comes to what sang he?

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 8:57 am on March 22, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Nudge, road trips,   

    Nudge: Road-trip essentials 

    Road tripAnswer if you dare: List your must-haves for a successful road trip, especially if it’s unusual. Why do you consider it essential?

    With the hassle of air travel, perhaps the road trip is experiencing a revival, would you say? Unless fuel prices are keeping people home.

    Thanks to plinky for today’s Nudge question.

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    • Weylan Deaver 9:04 am on March 23, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Coffee is good (though not as good as the kind Randal drinks in Brazil). And a sense of humor, especially in a mini-van full of teens.

      • Chad Dollahite 11:10 pm on March 24, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Agreed, Weylan…it’s nearly a must! I’ve had some of that Brazilian coffee (via David Fowler), & it’s pretty stout stuff. I did discover, quite by accident, that to get the best flavor out of it, you have to use an old-school percolator. It was pretty good before, but when I used that old percolator, it was really good!

  • J. Randal Matheny 8:17 am on March 15, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge,   

    Nudge: Confess a wasteful habit 

    Nudge...

    Nudge... (Photo credit: Four Doxn)

    Plinky suggested this Nudge today: Confess a wasteful habit of yours.

    Doesn’t matter what’s being wasted, be it time, paper, gas, room heat, you name it. What do you do exactly that causes something to be wasted?

    If confession is good for the soul, who knows but it may also be good for the budget and the environment?

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    • Rick Kelley (@rickkelley365) 8:33 am on March 15, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Here goes: I run the water the whole time I brush my teeth. *wiping brow* I feel better. :)

    • Eugene Adkins 4:14 pm on March 15, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I don’t always clean my plate.

  • J. Randal Matheny 8:47 am on March 8, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Nudge   

    Nudge: What magazine to be editor of 

    Here’s a little Nudge for Fellows and friends, coming from a suggestion on Plinky:

    If you could be an editor for any magazine, which would you choose? It can be print or ezine, religious or other. Be sure to tell us why you chose as you did.

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    • Richard Mansel 9:55 am on March 8, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I’m happy where I am. If I was paid it would be even better. :)

    • Eugene Adkins 5:51 pm on March 8, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      It would be something similar to Bulletin Digest whether in print or on-line. I love collecting articles that are short in length but long in the lasting department for our spiritual hearts, minds and lives. Bulletins can be such a powerful tool when they’re properly used. I love seeing bulletins with more Bible lessons than congregational updates.

      But that’s just me :)

    • Ron Thomas 3:50 am on March 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Having never thought of this before a quick thought that comes to mind – apart from the local bulletin – is the Carolina Messenger (http://carolinamessenger.com/). David Pharr has been very kind to me through the years in printing many articles that I have submitted. Consequently, I have a bias in that direction. Moreover, I like the editorial policy that David has been operating under: a strong proponent of what the Scriptures teach, a refusal to become engaged in hobbies, and a measured tone In all. **** In my biased opinion, David does a fantastic job. When he “hands over” the editorial position, I am hopeful that the new editor will follow the same and that he will be a man of the Carolina’s.

  • Stephen R. Bradd 9:55 am on February 10, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge   

    Humor 

    I love to laugh & enjoy good humor! Occasionally, I mistakenly take it too far (with folks who don’t share the same liberal sense of humor).

    My sense of humor is broad. The Three Stooges really tickle my funny bone, but I’m open to any type of clean humor (whether “intellectual” or “stupid” humor). This is one reason why I enjoy preachers’ meeting so much. :)

    My favorite all-time line–Moe says (as a serious compliment) to Larry–”Ya know, for a guy with no brains, you’re a genius!!”
    LOL

     
    • B.Esudas 9:25 pm on February 10, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I too like them brother. It helps to get the attension of the audience and to make them better understanding of the sermon.

    • J. Randal Matheny 11:08 am on February 11, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Great line from Moe!

  • Richard Mansel 4:29 pm on February 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Nudge   

    Nudge, Nudge, Smirk, Smirk 

    Randal asked if we have a sense of humor. I’ve been told I have a good one. I love humor and can’t resist it. I have funny thoughts running through my head most of the time.

    I have what is called a dry sense of humor that can be described as observational. I can usually rift off of the things I see around me quite easily. I also love witty repartee. It helps to read a lot to have more ammunition.

    I am often thinking of funny replies to what people post on Facebook. But I try to resist. :)

    I love puns and smart humor. I see humor in almost everything. I can sit at WalMart or watch TV and think of almost non-stop jokes. I always wanted to be on Mystery Science Theater 3000.

    Crude humor doesn’t have a place with me. In fact, my creed is, “Humor should amuse, not abuse.” I don’t believe in cruel humor because the Golden Rule dictates my life. If I don’t like it, I’m not doing it to others. Hence, I don’t taunt or cruelly mock others because I don’t want them turned on me.

    Getting laughs with crude talk is too easy and therefore pointless. It’s like one comedian said about performing his comedy routine to a drunk audience. “If you make them laugh it doesn’t count. They’re drunk. They’re always laughing.”

    It is disturbing that true humor is almost dead in popular culture. All they have left is the crude, easy joke. I think that either says something about the intelligence of the entertainment business or the public. Or, both.

    I am dismayed that so many people fail to see humor in Scripture. In fact, some people see it as offensive to even suggest that there is humor in God’s Word. It is somehow sacrilegious.

    How can you read Elijah mocking the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), Balaam and the donkey (Numbers 22) and Micaiah and Ahab (1 Kings 22) and a host of others without laughing?

    Job was so frustrated with the rants of his ignorant friends that he said, “No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!” (Job 12:2). I find this funny but have pointed that out to congregations and they just stare at me. Maybe that says something about my humor.

    Besides women like a man with a sense of humor. Or, so I’ve been told.

     
    • Mike Riley 6:29 pm on February 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Richard, Oh, to have the humor of the dog in the above picture you posted! HA! HA! (:

  • J. Randal Matheny 1:53 pm on February 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Nudge, sense of humor   

    Nudge: What kind of sense of humor do you have? 

    Sense of humorMaybe the first question should be, do you have a sense of humor? Then, if yes, what kind of a sense of humor do you have?

    There are good and bad styles of humor, says PsychToday. But we’re thinking more in terms of types, like dry or slapstick.

    Is there any correlation between humor and spirituality? Hmm.

     
  • Stephen R. Bradd 8:34 am on February 9, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Nudge, stopped   

    Something I’ve stopped doing recently 

    Answering nudges effectively! :)

    [seriously, I'm with Chad on this one]

     
  • Chad Dollahite 10:55 am on February 8, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Nudge   

    Stopped? 

    The nudge asks for something one has stopped doing recently. It occurs to me that I can’t think of a thing; I did some cutting back, but nothing comes to mind as having been a complete cessation. Perhaps I should think of something to give up…might be to my betterment.

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 7:44 am on February 8, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge   

    Nudge: Something you’ve stopped doing recently 

    Hello, friends and TFR Fellows! Here’s a Nudge from nowhere for you to ponder and answer: Tell us about something you’ve stopped doing in recent days or weeks. It could be something as innocent as playing tiddlywinks or watching some dorky TV program (sorry, that was redundant). Or you might want to delve deeper into your psyche to dish up some serious habit or practice that was doing you in. Do give us a why as well. And if there’s a lesson in it somewhere, all the better.

    TFR Fellows are reminded to please place your replies in a new post, unless it’s a one-word answer, which would be a shame. Other friends and visitors can reply in the comments section below.

     
    • Alice Farough 9:27 am on February 8, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I have given up eating sweets. I started about 3 weeks ago and it has been relatively easy because I am trying to be example to someone who needs to give up something even more important. I needed to give up sweets anyway because I am gaining more and more weight and I have a real penchant for sweets. This has worked so well that pretty soon I am going to try and give up another bad habit I have – wasting time.

    • Eugene Adkins 9:16 pm on February 8, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Um, between preaching, working and helping to take care of my new baby girl over the last 3 months…I have stopped sleeping :)

  • J. Randal Matheny 4:21 pm on December 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge,   

    Nudge: What must the wise know beforehand? 

    I read this in some recent research: “The wise man must not know after but know before.” —Epicharmus (460 BC), cited in C. Spicq, TLNT, 2:472

    I used it on my blog, also, but here’s a question for you to answer in the comments or, if you’re a long-winded Fellow (which is a good thing), in a separate TFR post: What must the wise man know beforehand?

    Yup, I made a Nudge out of it.

     
    • Barbara Ann Oliver 4:25 pm on December 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      That he does not know.

    • Eugene Adkins 6:16 pm on December 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      How about what he himself would do in a certain situation? Or maybe even the real source of wisdom? (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10) Of course this is from a Christian perspective. I have a hard time giving opinions from any other perspective now…but if you ask my wife she says I do very well with seeing things from a “man’s perspective” especially when it comes to stinky things like perfume :) But she knew that before she married me – there’s another answer for your question!

      Good question.

  • J. Randal Matheny 8:12 am on September 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Nudge   

    Nudge: worth remembering 

    Memories

    What have you done lately that’s worth remembering? Worth adding to your treasury of memories? Worth telling your grandkids about a few decades down the road?

    It could be a trip, a good deed, a funny event, an important step in your life, a new habit begun, or an old one surrendered.

    The Nudge is back today with a singular question.

    I pray you have something to share.

    If not, make a memory, as they say. Embark on a new venture.

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 11:17 am on July 7, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Nudge, ,   

    Nudge: Surprised to learn 

    Part of the process of getting to know another person is learning more about him, facts, history, likes and dislikes, hobbies, experiences.

    What is one of the things about you that people are surprised to learn?

     
  • Ron Thomas 6:16 am on May 26, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: emotional response, , Nudge   

    Response 

    Replying to the nudge, I had two primary responses. First, my response was toward the audacity of the man and his disregard and convoluted manipulation toward his mishandling of Scripture. That he was a sincere man, I think, no one will doubt. But, as with Paul during a time in his life, this man was (is) sincerely wrong and his life is nearly over! Second, apart from him being a false teacher, I regard the situation with sympathy. He is an old man, and I am sympathetic toward older people, especially those sincerely driven. I have sympathy toward all those that he has led (and continues to lead) astray. How can one not?! Yes, I know, each one is responsible to the Lord for himself, but still…

    I have taken this situation and tried to make some application in my life. I have given myself a responsibility to be sure to oppose error within the pages of the newspaper via the editorial page. In a small community opportunity is afforded me that may not be given to others; I will take advantage of that.

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 6:08 am on April 11, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Nudge   

    Daily Nudge: off this week 

    Friends, the last several nudges have had few or no responses. So let’s take off this week from the Daily Nudge and see how we do.

    If you really, really need a nudge, check Saturday’s, or previous ones. As always, the tags provide the navigation.

     
    • Barbara Ann Oliver 7:18 pm on April 12, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Sorry, Randy…. I am gone from 7am till 10pm every night…. WIll be in Guanacabe tomorrow… have to leave at 5:30 am. So I won’t be back to normal until Thursday afternoon when I take Jim and Don to the airport.

  • J. Randal Matheny 4:27 am on April 9, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Be holy, , , , Nudge   

    Weekend Nudge: Challenge to be like God 

    Since I’m teaching today on the Theology of the Pattern, that suggests a question: Tell us today on TFR which aspect of the divine example you find most challenging. See this list from Nave’s Topical Bible for areas in which both God and Jesus are to be our example, and choose your most daunting quality. (Scroll down just a tad.)

    Please pray for me as I teach this afternoon, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. (Brasília time). Beside our local folk, people are coming from at least three different cities here in Sao Paulo and from a different state to attend. May the material be of great use to these fine saints.

    One of the points is that God is the architect and builder of the universe, and he has not left us to build in his kingdom without plans. We are to be like him in this also. This reflects the principle of being like God and like Christ.

     
  • Ron Thomas 4:57 am on April 8, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Nudge   

    Confrontation 

    The NUDGE prompts us to consider/remember a confrontation to one who teaches falsely. Not unlike many on the list who will provide and read, I have had many opportunities to confront error. Just this morning I cut and pasted a brother’s remark (who is well into his golden years, and knew Foy Wallace) relative to Colossians 2:14 did not (and does not) teach that the Law of Moses has been nailed to the cross.

    The first thing I will do is thoroughly read his position paper on this, respectfully taking notes (without impugning his genuine motives). Then when I write something – because I will write an article on it – I will be sure that I am charitable in my remarks, but firm.

    If this were in a Bible class, my approach would be one of respectful hearing and then polite guiding. In a public gathering, I try to minimize any kind of unsettling if I can. If a brother is insistent on being unsettled, then I will figure my way through it.

    I write of this because I have observed that, for some, at the first sight of “error” there is a line drawn in the sand. I would like to think that people do not hold to error because they KNOW it is error – they genuinely believe it to be the truth. Take for instance the recent link/post from the UMC professor. I will do what I can to minimize any public embarrassment, but if one is insistent on something that is plainly and explicitly error, then I will grow more firm in my response.

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 4:24 am on April 8, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: confrontations, , Nudge   

    Daily Nudge: Confronting false teaching 

    In our reading today in Acts 13, Saul, called Paul, confronts Bar-Jesus the false prophet. It is at this point in the narrative that the group is called “Paul and his companions,” rather than Barnabas and Saul, so it appears to be an important juncture in the story. It is practically the only work for which John Mark is present as well, since the preaching to Sergius Paulus is framed by the comment that John was their assistant and that he leaves them as they depart Cyprus for Pamphylia. On to the Nudge …

    Tell about a moment when you either confronted false teaching or witnessed it being done. I’m not thinking so much of a formal debate, as a moment of evangelism, as in Acts 13, or perhaps edification.

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 6:04 am on April 7, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: New Testament churches, Nudge   

    Daily Nudge: which NT church? 

    The post title may sound like a progressive challenge, but you know me better than that. Today’s Nudge asks which congregation in the New Testament you find most intriguing, most interesting, most fascinating. Jerusalem? Antioch? Corinth? Berea? Rome? Samaria?

    There are plenty enough to choose from. Following the spread of the gospel in the book of Acts, on our NT plan, we’re reading about a number of them, so the question suggested itself in the midst of the history of the early church. And there’s more to come!

     

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 5:18 am on April 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Nudge,   

    Daily Nudge: Unexpected conversion 

    Have you ever seen someone become a Christian that you thought would be the last person in the world to follow the Lord? People thought that in the New Testament, too. Saul’s conversion couldn’t have been real; it must have been a ruse to get inside the Christian community.

    So tell us, for today’s Nudge, about this unexpected conversion you witnessed.

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 4:25 am on April 5, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: comprehension, , Nudge, slow to understand,   

    Daily Nudge: Slow to catch on 

    Peter recoils from the visionIn our reading today in Acts 10, it took Peter a while to figure out the lesson of the vision. Not until he was at Cornelius’ house, after he had asked why he had been summoned, and the centurion explained, did he finally get it. “Ah, now I understand,” he says in Acts 10:34.

    Finally! In Acts 2 in his sermon on Pentecost, he’d even referred to the gospel as being for all, but not until he’s eyeballing Cornelius and family, who look at him to start his sermon, does he come to the realization.

    I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is welcomed before him. Acts 10:34-35 NET

    So here’s the Nudge: name a moment when you delayed to understand some principle, truth, or wisdom of God. When you were slow to catch on. This is a bit different than the “aha” moment we asked about earlier. Here, we’re more interested in the truth than in the sudden illumination. It might have been a slow process, as was Peter’s.

    The neat bronze image comes from this site.

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 5:02 am on April 4, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Nudge, ,   

    Daily Nudge: quick rain or long drizzle? 

    rain and umbrellasHow do you like your rain to fall:  a hard quick rain or a long slow drizzle? We’ve had both lately, in abundance.

    This is an easy nudge, for those who move slowing on Mondays.

    The rain should always remind us of our good and reverend God.

    “He covers the sky with clouds,
    provides the earth with rain,
    and causes grass to grow on the hillsides” (Psalm 147:8 NET).

    Yesterday was a slow day: only one post. Where’d you go, people?

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 5:15 am on April 2, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge, ,   

    Daily Nudge: Providential salvation 

    By visions and verbal commands, the Lord sent Philip to the Ethiopian, Ananias to Saul, and Peter to Cornelius. The miraculous was involved, although the Lord still had people teaching people, according to his plan.

    Let’s back off the miraculous and go with the providential. Tell a moment when you sensed the Lord working to bring a teacher-evangelist and a ready soul together for salvation.

    The Lord is always working, of course, but there seem to be times when we notice, through circumstances surrounding a moment of time, the involvement of the Lord, more than at others.

    I was reading a bit from Esther recently so maybe providence is at the front of my mind.

     
  • Richard Mansel 10:30 am on April 1, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Nudge, , trutth   

    The Saddest Kind of Persecution 

    We expect persecution from the world since they do not understand what we are about as Christians (John 15:18-19; 2 Timothy 3:12).

    They mock us about our beliefs and will do what they can to destroy our faith in God. Having spent a decade in retail it is painfully obvious how  Satan works. If you have a Christian and ten non-Christians at a job, guess who will most often be asked to work on Sunday? Yes, you guessed it.

    With persecution, we need to be very aware of the presence of Satan (1 Peter 5:8). If we realize that he is behind the persecutions, I think think we can psychologically handle it better. We will realize that our persecutors do not know they are being used as puppets to advance Satan’s agenda.

    However, the saddest form of persecution comes from our own brethren. I’ve heard people in brotherhood schools mock the truth with gusto. I’ve read brethren on discussion groups ridicule and torment those who follow God’s Word.They become furious at the very suggestion that we restrict ourselves to God’s simple Word.

    They viciously attack sound brethren, ripping them to shreds before the entire world. They even mock the very words of God by elevating the culture and the ways of man above the inspired Writ (2 Timothy 3:16-17). They find God far less frightening than their friends who stand outside of Christ.

    There is really nothing more nauseating than so-called “brethren” declaring war on God’s people. Their persecution is more chilling and painful than anything people in world can do. Let us pray for them and avoid their viciousness, so we will not lose our focus on joy and evangelism.

     
    • Linda Newsted 1:40 am on April 2, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Richard, have you ever been thrown out of a congregation for standing firm on the truth? It happened to Jim and I a few short years ago. These evil people were opposed to us working to get the preacher Jim Reyna a liver transplant. Praise God Jim got the transplant in Oct 2009 and is back actively working at a new congregation. Jim and I were shunned and then told to leave. It just broke my heart and several weeks before Jim and I could face another congregation. We worshiped at home but have returned to the Shamrock congregation and are happy there. I was just so stunned at the actions of the people I considered my brothers and sisters, It made us stronger and love our God even more and I fear judgement day for the ones so devoid of compassion for a fellow Christian that would have died without that transplant. I told my Jim that our lives were never dull as that was the first time I had ever been thrown out of a church!! I pray it never happens again and was too traumtic for us. It wasn’t promised it would be easy to be a Christian. You, like my Jim is not afraid to stand up for the truth but some people just don’t want to hear it. Continue your good work. Love and hugs, Linda

  • J. Randal Matheny 5:20 am on April 1, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge, , religious conflicts   

    Daily Nudge: your persecution 

    Maybe we’re asking for a bunch of no-replies today, we’ll see. Have you ever been persecuted, or otherwise made fun of, because of your faith? Tell us about it, what happened, the situation, what you were doing.

    Persecution is the norm in some places, happens on and off in others, but in some places, hardly at all.

    Jesus said it would happen, Paul, too, not necessarily from governments, but from family. Then, let’s not forget persecution from religious people. Yes, it happened then, too. At the beginning of the Way, the Jews persecuted Christians.

    The subject is on my mind, since we read Acts 7 yesterday, and are to read Acts 8 today.

    I do not pray that God will spare you. I pray he will give you strength and courage to continue doing his will and evangelizing in the midst of it.

     
  • Richard Mansel 10:39 am on March 31, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Nudge, ,   

    Scariest Nights of My Life 

    I recently wrote about our harrowing ordeal with an out of control forest fire that burned 4,035 acres and could have decimated our community. We were saved by the heroic efforts of fire fighters and emergency personnel.

    That experience brought to mind two other nights where natural disasters brought death and destruction to our lives.

    The first was on February 5, 2008 in Jackson, Tennessee. I arrived in Henderson, Tennessee for the Freed-Hardeman lectureship and enjoyed the day immensely. That evening I drove to my hotel in Jackson to check into my room. The weather grew worse as I got closer. I turned off my audiobook and discovered that there was a tornado warning.

    At the hotel, I was unable to check in because the power was out. I was ushered into the laundry room and told to get under a blanket since a category 4 tornado was two miles away. One of my friends, Tony Fitzgerald and his family were there and we all spent the night praying that we would not be killed.

    The tornado hit Union University and damaged 31 buildings, doing $40 million in damage. I finally went to my room in the early morning and slept some before waking up and checking in. The staff at the hotel were extraordinary.

    (More …)

     
  • Stephen R. Bradd 6:59 am on March 31, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Nudge,   

    Tornado 2003 

    We were at a gospel meeting in Decatur on May 30, 2003 (about 25 miles from our home). We returned to Clinton about 9 PM. The wind was extreme on the highway, but we didn’t know anything about a tornado until we got 1/2 mile from our home (which was next door to the church building at the time). The southern most intersection in Clinton greeted us with downed stoplights and trees in the road. We were able to carefully manuever our way the rest of the way home. The 10 or so mature pine trees near the church building were all down blocking much of the road and parking lot. A significant portion of the roof to the church building had been damaged. Several buildings (200 yards away) were completely destroyed. Our home (the parsonage) had a window blown out and some roof damage. One neighbor’s trampoline was wadded up like a discarded piece of paper and remained crushed on top of the fence. Another neighbor’s double-wide garage door was sucked out of its proper place and partially lying in the driveway. There were many unusual sights. Amazingly, there were no emergency crews on the scene when we got home. We had missed driving into the tornado by less than 10 minutes and arrived on the scene before they did!

    Insurance took care of everything nicely (State Farm). $70,000 damage to the church building (5 months to finish repairs). $6000 to our home (our house was the least damaged in the entire neighborhood). Some neighbors had to move out for months. The neighbors who were home at the time said it sounded like a freight train was going through the neighborhood. Millions of dollars of damage in the community; no fatalities thankfully.

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 5:31 am on March 31, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge   

    Daily Nudge: Your worst natural disaster 

    nature's fury

    Richard’s experience with fire getting close to his home leads us today to the Thursday Nudge: What’s the worst natural disaster you’ve been in or near? Fire, tornado, earthquake, floods, hurricane, blizzards, earthslides, volcano eruptions?

    Such natural powers are devastating, wrenching experiences. Share your encounter with us.

     
    • John Henson 8:44 am on March 31, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Would like to say my bank account since I gave the wife her debit card, but I don’t think that’s what you had in mind. Interestingly enough, I’ve never experienced a “natural disaster,” so I have nothing to contribute.

    • Mike Riley 6:45 pm on March 31, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Like John, I’ve experienced no natural disasters either. And I’m thankful for it!

  • J. Randal Matheny 6:39 am on March 30, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , Nudge,   

    Daily Nudge: God’s name in prayer 

    Which of God’s names or titles do you use most in your prayers? Yesterday, in the NT reading we’re following, I was noticing the titles used in that prayer for courage near the end of Acts 5.

    Think over your public and private prayers. What does this choice of preferred terms say about your view of and need for God?

    I do hope you’ll reply, for this promises to furnish some interesting perspectives.

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 4:40 am on March 29, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Nudge, , trips   

    Daily Nudge: Where’s Wally? 

    trips ahoyWell, Wally is lost somewhere, but where are you? Barbara Ann and Chad, we know, are gallivanting in lands afar, Larry, too, is on the road in swampy ground. And the family and I made a quick jaunt Sunday.

    So tell us where you are, what you’re up to, who you’re with. Or where you’ve been recently, if you’re shortly returned from a trip.

    Jesus made trips, Paul did, too. Christians were often on the move, and always on foot for the gospel.

    Maybe yours was for that reason, maybe for other motives, but a change of scenery often provides renewal for the heart and mind.

    Where are you?

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 8:08 am on March 28, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge,   

    Daily Nudge: fave fable 

    Remember Aesop, the master teller of fables? He doesn’t have a corner on the market, but he’s the best known of the spinners of such tales. Do you have a favorite fable to share? Can be one from the old master or a new concoction. Why is this particular fable special to you?

    I heard one yesterday about the nice little farm with one cow. But that’s for another time. It reminded me to ask in the Nudge today.

     
  • J. Randal Matheny 5:10 am on March 26, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge   

    Daily Nudge: what is beauty? 

    beauty queenElizabeth Taylor, considered at one time to be the most beautiful woman in the world, died recently at 79. (Don’t get me started on her and her Hollywood ilk.) So here’s one of the great philosophical discussions (really!) of all time as your nudge for the weekend: define beauty.

    Describe what makes a person beautiful.

    Our grandmothers said that beauty is as beauty does. But be more specific.

    A related question is how beauty relates to men. Usually, in the past, at least, men were called handsome, rather than beautiful. Who knows what the egalitarian extremes require today.

    Note: The picture, by the way, was the first to pop up in a Google search for beauty.

     
  • Glenda Williams 4:26 am on March 26, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge   

    Favorite Fast Food 

    My favorite fast food is a Captain D’s Supreme Fish sandwich.  Yummmmm-my! Give me one with a Diet Rite cola and I am good to go.

     
    • J. Randal Matheny 11:52 am on March 24, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      You just reminded me, Glenda: In the US, my favorite FF place is Long John Silver’s. Their fish with the vinegar malt is the best thing to me.

      • J. Randal Matheny 11:53 am on March 24, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        Malt vinegar, right? :-P

      • Glenda Williams 5:54 pm on March 24, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        I like that also, Randal. Porky Barn’s Bar-B-Que is located right down the street from our home. I bought a large fish sandwich from them one day. It had two nice real fish filets on it. I shared one with mother, and bought Doug a sandwich like ours. It was $2.98 the first day. The next day I went back to “do it adin,” as our Stephanie used to say. Two sandwiches the next day were $5.98 each! Hardee’s is good and less expensive.

    • Glenda Williams 5:55 pm on March 24, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Malt vinegar is good too.

    • Chad Dollahite 2:39 pm on March 26, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Oh, I forgot about Cap’n D’s…I’m a fan! Randal is right…soak it in malt vinegar, and that’s hard to beat!

  • J. Randal Matheny 6:46 am on March 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Nudge, pictures,   

    Daily Nudge: fave wall hanging 

    What photo or wall hanging on your walls at home right now is your favorite? Tell us the story behind it, and share a picture of it, if you can. It may be of family, or a precious work of art, or a needlepoint or embroidered heirloom. Might even be the head of that game animal bagged in Africa. But today it’s the favorite and not the most unusual. :)

     
  • Chad Dollahite 4:19 pm on March 24, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , Nudge   

    Favorite Fast Food… 

    My favorite fast food joint at the moment would probably be Taco Bell. The reason? My wife & I both have a tendency to be…well, we’ll call it “frugal,” & our family of 6 can eat there for about $15. We love the 99-cent Beefy-Crunch Burrito & the 5-Layer Burrito. I like the new shrimp tacos, but they make the price of the meal go up (totally worth it, though!). I’m an Arby’s fan also &, for burgers, the flame-broiled goodness of a Whopper (BK) is tough to beat!

    My dream meal would be to set before me a big ‘ole Whopper from BK (better make it a double), fries from McDonald’s, a taco salad from Wendy’s (extra ranch & chili, please), & pretty much any dessert from Dairy Queen. A fountain Dr. Pepper from any of the above would top it off, as well as coffee from BK (back before they changed it). Oh, & a cookies-n-cream milkshake from Chick-Fil-A. I’d be sick as a dog after that meal, but it’d sure be good!

     
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