Sermons and Biblical Studies

Sheila-ism Another poll sheds light on this paradox of increased religiosity and decreased morality. According to sociologist Robert Bellah, 81 percent of the American people also say they agree that “an individual should arrive at his or her own religious belief independent of any church or synagogue.” Thus the key to the paradox is the … Continue reading “Individualism”

Missed the Point In the heyday of the New York Yankees, manager Joe McCarthy once interviewed a coach being brought up to the majors from a Yankee farm team. “How much do you know about psychology?” McCarthy asked. The coach said he had studied it in college. “So you think you’re good,” said McCarthy. The … Continue reading “Indirect”

Someone Else Kitty Genovese was the young woman who was murdered in a New York residential section while at least 38 neighbors watched from their windows. During the course of the 30-minute assault, no one even telephoned the police. Recent studies have uncovered some surprising facts about these people. Interviews revealed that they were not … Continue reading “Indifference”

Dependence To keep the lamp alive, With oil we fill the bowl; ‘Tis water makes the willow thrive, And grace that feeds the soul. The Lord’s unsparing hand Supplies the living stream; It is not at our own command, But still derived from Him. Beware of Peter’s word, Nor confidently say, “I never will deny … Continue reading “Independence”

Absolutely Right! Two men who lived in a small village got into a terrible dispute that they could not resolve. So they decided to talk to the town sage. The first man went to the sage’s home and told his version of what happened. When he finished, the sage said, “You’re absolutely right.” The next … Continue reading “Indecision”

Out of the Country John L. Swigert, Jr., the Apollo 13 astronaut who went to the moon in 1970, recalls how his job almost interfered with filing his federal income-tax forms: “On the second day of Apollo 13, April 12, I asked Mission Control to begin work to get me an extension of the filing … Continue reading “Income Tax”

Study In a recent Michigan State University study, 97% of the faculty members and staff who bet $40 that they could stay with a six-month exercise program were successful. Only 19% of a non-betting group stayed with their six-month program, however. TIP: Consider incentives when you want to change behavior. MSC Health Action News, April, … Continue reading “Incentive, cf. Motivation”

In the Flesh Literally, “en-flesh-ment” (Latin carnis—”flesh”); the doctrine that the Son of God became human (John 1:14). Jesus did not play at becoming a man but took on our flesh with all its problems and weaknesses. Incarnation, in the Christian understanding, means that Christ was both God and human. The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook, … Continue reading “Incarnation, of Christ”

Civil War In the early years of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln became so angered at the inactivity of Union commander George McClellan that the president wrote his commanding general this one-sentence letter: “If you don’t want to use the army, I should like to borrow it for a while. Respectfully, A. Lincoln.” Today in … Continue reading “Inactivity”

Quote “Since God has put His work into your weak hands, look not for long ease here: You must feel the full weight of your calling: a weak man with a strong God.” Lady Culross to John Livingston of the Covenanters, quoted in Prodigals and Those Who Love Them, Ruth Bell Graham, 1991, Focus on … Continue reading “Inability”