Gesù e la Gabbietta per Uccellini Rev. Paul Harvey
Gesù e la Gabbietta per Uccellini Rev. Paul Harvey Il Predicatore bostoniano Dr. S. D. Gordon, appoggiò una malconcia, ricurva e arrugginita gabbia per uccellini di fianco al suo pulpito […]
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Fede Superficiale – Miti sulla Maturità Spirituale (prima parte)
Fede Superficiale – Miti sulla Maturità Spirituale (prima parte) Rev. Tony Cooke Spesso mi capita di ascoltare espressioni di preoccupazione da parte di alcuni leader spirituali riguardo alla mancanza di […]
Fede Superficiale – Miti sulla Maturità Spirituale (seconda parte)
Fede Superficiale – Miti sulla Maturità Spirituale (seconda parte) Rev. Tony Cooke Il mese scorso abbiamo introdotto il tema della “fede superficiale” e abbiamo presentato alcuni miti riguardanti la maturità […]
Essi Parlano in Altre Lingue
“Sei mai stato salvato?”. Un giovanotto con gli occhi piuttosto grandi mi sorprese con questa domanda mentre aspettavamo l’autobus. Mi porse un opuscolo con un’immagine dell’inferno sulla copertina. “Certo”, risposi. “Una volta quando avevo nove anni stavo nuotando alla Jones Beach di Long Island, e una forte corrente iniziò a trascinarmi al largo. … read more
Fede e Medicina by Rev. Tony Cooke
Fede e Medicina Rev. Tony Cooke Domanda: Mi è stata diagnosticata una certa malattia e sto assumendo dei farmaci. Recentemente ho scoperto che esiste la “Guarigione Divina”. Sono molto entusiasta […]
Alla Ricerca di Paco
In Spagna si racconta la storia di un padre e un figlio che da tempo non avevano più contatti. Il figlio era scappato di casa, e un giorno suo padre decise di ritrovarlo. Lo cercò per mesi, ma senza risultato. Alla fine, al suo ultimo tentativo disperato, il padre pubblicò un annuncio su un quotidiano di Madrid. … read more
Completa lo spazio in bianco by Rev. Tony Cooke
Qual è la prima cosa che ti viene in mente? Ci sono molte risposte “corrette.” Molte persone, nel leggere queste parole, probabilmente hanno pensato: “Dio è amore.” Certamente non discuterai su questo. Altri avranno pensato: “Dio è buono”. Ancora risposta corretta. E allora che dire riguardo a magnifico, grande, forte, meraviglioso o potente? Ovviamente, queste e molte altre risposte sarebbero accurate. … read more
Tension in the Toolbox by Tony Cooke
At first, they were glad just to have been selected. There were other tools that the Carpenter could have chosen, and the tools were pleased that he, a Master Craftsman, had picked them. But they quickly forgot their initial joy and began to focus on each other. With this, they began to be bothered by and irritated with each other. One by one, each tool began to dwell on the shortcomings and faults of the other tools. No one was exempt from the critical and demeaning evaluation of the others. … read more
The Seed
A successful Christian business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. He called all the young executives in his company together. He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you.” The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. “I am going to give each one of you a SEED today—one very special SEED. … read more
Meet the Tater Family
Dick Tater is the self-appointed potentate who feels everything should be done his way. He never serves or works; he just bosses others. Emmy Tater is the member of the family who follows all the latest fads. She’s never really discovered her own identity because she’s always busy trying to be like someone else. … read more
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Your beliefs are a self-fulfilling prophecy, literally shaping the way you perceive your world. Let’s consider people (not you, of course) who believe that the world is a rotten place full of disgusting folks. What do they see when they look at the world? All the rotten and disgusting things. At work, they see only what’s bad. When they talk to co-workers, their main topic of conversation is who’s sabotaging whom. … read more
Whoever Takes the Son Gets It All
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed, elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. … read more
The Parable of the Push-Ups and the Donuts
There was a boy by the name of Steve who was attending school in a western state. Mr. Christianson taught at this particular school. He had an open-door policy and would take in any student that had been thrown out of another class as long as they would abide by his rules. Steve had been kicked out of his sixth period and no other teacher wanted him, so he went into Mr. Christianson’s class. … read more
Pastoral Search Report
We do not have a happy report to give. We’ve not been able to find a suitable candidate for this church, though we have one promising prospect still. We do appreciate all the suggestions from the church members, and we’ve followed up each one with interviews or calling at least three references. The following is our confidential report on the present candidates. … read more
Shake It Off and Step Up – The Lesson from an Old Mule
A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule braying or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what happened, and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery. … read more
Only One Life by C.T. Studd
Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat; only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice; bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last … read more
10 Advantages of Doing Ministry Without a Ministry Plan by Tony Morgan
You give the loudest person the opportunity to decide what happens at your church. Sharp leaders who are accustomed to serving in organizations with clearly defined plans for future growth won’t stick around your church. That means more ministry for you! You’ll get to hone your debating skills as people argue about what to do next. … read more
You’re Not Home Yet
An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years, and they were returning to New York City to retire. They had no pension; their health was broken; they were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. They discovered they were booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-game hunting expeditions. No one paid much attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the President’s entourage, with passengers trying to catch a glimpse of the great man. … read more
Leadership Lessons from Noah
Plan ahead….It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark. Stay fit….When you’re 600 years old someone might ask you to do something really big. Don’t listen to critics….do what must be done. Build on high ground. For safety’s sake….travel in pairs. Two heads are better than one. Speed isn’t always an advantage….The cheetahs were on board, but then so were the turtles. … read more
To My Child: What I Can and Cannot Do
I can share your life, but I cannot live it for you. I can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn. I can give you direction, but I cannot always lead you. I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it. I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe. I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot decide for you. … read more
Kids’ Answers When Asked What Love Is
“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.” (Rebecca – age 8) “Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.” (Chrissy – age 6) … read more
Job Description for Church Staff
Senior Pastor is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, is more powerful than a locomotive, faster than a speeding bullet, can walk on water, and gives policies to God. … read more
Johnny, Sally, and the Duck: A Story of Forgiveness
A little boy visiting his grandparents was given his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. As he came back to Grandma’s back yard, he spied her pet duck. On an impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead. The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to look up and see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. … read more
The Jerusalem Management Consulting Firm
Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for management positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken a series of tests, and we have not only run the results through our computer, but we have also conducted an in-depth interview with each of them by our staff psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant. The profiles of all tests are included, and you will want to study each of them carefully. … read more
Trying to Do the Job Alone
I am writing in response to your request for additional information for my insurance claim. In block number three of the accident claim form I wrote, “trying to do the job alone” as the cause of my accident. You said in your letter that I should explain that statement more fully. I trust the following details will be sufficient. I am a bricklayer by trade. On the date of the accident, I was working alone on the roof of a new six-story building. … read more
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