Sermons and Biblical Studies

First Sermon The young seminarian was excited about preaching his first sermon in his home church. After three years in seminary, he felt adequately prepared, and when he was introduced to the congregation, he walked boldly to the pulpit, his head high, radiating self-confidence. But he stumbled reading the Scriptures and then lost his train … Continue reading “Humility; cf. self-important, pride”

Striking Police Force October 7, 1969 the Montreal, Canada police force went on strike. Because of what resulted, the day has been called Black Tuesday. A burglar and a policeman were slain. Forty-nine persons were wounded or injured in rioting. Nine bank holdups were committed, almost a tenth of the total number of holdups the … Continue reading “Human Nature”

The Typical Lifespan Someone has calculated how a typical lifespan of 70 years is spent. Here is the estimate: Sleep 23 years 32.9% Work 16 years 22.8% TV 8 years 11.4% Eating 6 years 8.6% Travel 6 years 8.6% Leisure 4.5 years 6.5% Illness 4 years 5.7% Dressing 2 years 2.8% Religion 0.5 years 0.7% … Continue reading “Human Life”

United Nations The United Nations complex sits on sixteen acres of New York City’s choicest real estate, bordering the East River and Manhattan. The lean, immense Secretariat building rises into the sky, the sun reflecting off its window walls. Bright flags of the nations of the world fly in the breezes off the river; the … Continue reading “Humanism”

Five Senses Our five senses give us some astonishing capabilities. We can see a candle’s flame 30 miles away on a dark, clear night, and smell a single drop of perfume diffused in a three-room apartment. We can taste .04 ounce of table salt in 530 quarts of water. Our sense of touch can detect … Continue reading “Human Body”

The Myth of More All he ever really wanted in life was more. He wanted more money, so he parlayed inherited wealth into a billion-dollar pile of assets. He wanted more fame, so he broke into the Hollywood scene and soon became a filmmaker and star. He wanted more sensual pleasures, so he paid handsome … Continue reading “Hughes, Howard”

What Hugging Can Do It’s wondrous what a hug can do. A hug can cheer you when you’re blue A hug can say, “I love you so,” Or, “I hate to see you go.” A hug is “Welcome back again.” And “Great to see you! Where ‘er you been? A hug can soothe a small … Continue reading “Hugging”

Housewife Titles Instead of writing the usual “housewife” title while filling out a form asking for his spouse’s occupation, one man wrote in: “Domestic Goddess.” Mrs. Bob Evans, April, 1980 Reader’s Digest

Resources •      Sketches of Jewish Social Life, A. Edersheim, Eerdmans, pp. 42ff. Quotes •      Some folks make you feel at home. Others make you wish you were. – Arnold H. Glasow •      Treat your guest as a guest for two days; on the third day, give him a hoe. – Swahili proverb Source unknown

Home on the Range (Sing to the tune of “Home on the Range”) Oh, give me a bed, just a hospital bed and let me sleep all through the night. Whatever you do, please don’t wake me at two, let me sleep til the dawn’s early light. First Chorus: Sleep, glorious sleep, don’t wake me … Continue reading “Hospital”