Sermon Central
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A Recent Front-Page Story In The Wall Street ... PRO
Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Feb 12, 2004 (message contributor)
A recent front-page story in the Wall Street Journal (January 6, 2004) reported U.S. Marines being trained for duty in Iraq are getting drilled in people skills as well as heavy weaponry. They are receiving instruction about staying respectful as well as about staying alive.
Marines are still being taught to fight. They are gifted in heavy weaponry and with the tools to use them effectively; but in order to diffuse hostility borne of suspicion they are being taught to ask questions first and shoot later.
Yes, there is great risk to such a strategy. An enemy certainly can exploit it for his purposes, and Marines still will have to be alert to defend themselves; but they are being asked to believe that people in Iraq "can still be won over if American troops treat them with more dignity, patience and understanding."
So they are being asked to use their fighting skills wisely, to employ them with discretion, remembering the greater mission of working with the people of Iraq in order to promote peace. This means they will sometimes pull back instead of fighting. Some of their intimidating apparel is being removed. The course talk and the gruff demeanor, which are so much a part of the military’s image of power; are being toned down. It’s not just simper fi anymore. It’s semper respectful.
That’s the way it’s got to be when you’re trying to win the peace. Wars are fought and won with an indiscriminate use of force; but if you’re trying to build consensus you need to exercise your power with greater precision and tact. You need to use the tools at your disposal with greater care so as to unite and not divide, so as to encourage and not dissuade.
And that’s true, as well, when it comes to the church. One might say that’s Paul chief concern today. In the chapters leading up to our text Paul has made the point that the church properly speaking is a body made up of various believers united together around Christ who is the head. In addition God has uniquely gifted these many members of His...
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Speaking Of Church Attendance, Have You Ever ...
Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Apr 4, 2005
Speaking of church attendance, have you ever heard Murphy’s Law for Preachers: Law # 1: If the weather is extremely bad, church attendance will be down. Law #2: If the weather is extremely good church attendance will be down. Law #3: If the ...read more
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Our Persistent Prayer PRO
Contributed by D. Greg Ebie on May 7, 2003
OUR PERSISTENT PRAYER Billy Graham said, “Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one ever bothered to ask.” Have faith in the God of the dream; let’s ask God to bring the dream to completion. God’s answer is ready; ...read more
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One Of The Greatest Philosophers Of Our Age Is ...
Contributed by Scott Carmer on Jan 31, 2005
One of the greatest philosophers of our age is Andy Capp. I remember one comic strip several years ago in which Andy is up to his old tricks, always dodging his pastor because he is in the pub and not in church. One day after Andy’s wife Flo decided to take him back after one of his periodic ...read more
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A Member Of Alcoholics Anonymous Once Sent ... PRO
Contributed by Paul Wallace on Aug 24, 2004
A member of Alcoholics Anonymous once sent columnist Ann Landers the following: 1. We drank for happiness and became unhappy. We drank for joy and became miserable. We drank for sociability and became argumentative. We drank for sophistication and became obnoxious. We drank for ...read more
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The Juggler PRO
Contributed by Paul Wallace on Aug 24, 2004
The Juggler A juggler, driving to his next performance, is stopped by the police. “What are those machetes doing in your car?” asks the cop. “I juggle them in my act.” “Oh, yeah?” says the doubtful cop. “Let’s see you do it.” The juggler gets out and starts tossing and catching the knives. ...read more
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