The classic songs known as spirituals sprang from the passionate faith of African-Americans oppressed by slavery who lifted up their voices while working in the fields. Frederick Douglass, the former slave who became a prominent author and speaker, said spirituals “breathed the prayers and complaints of souls suffering the most cruel anguish.” Douglass admitted, “I […]
We have all heard them, perhaps used them ourselves. Those oft-repeated slogans that rally people together for a common cause. “We can do it.” “There’s strength in numbers.” “United we stand.” “We’re all in this together.” Wise leaders know the value of using such words of inspiration to promote a spirit of passion and teamwork, […]
The scholar Oscar Cullmann distinguished Good Friday from the Second Coming with an analogy. He likened Calvary to D-Day and the Second Coming to V-Day. D-Day was a decisive battle in WWII when the allied forces stormed Normandy, France. That battle was the beginning of the end for Hitler’s forces. But the war was not […]
In the battle for truth, are you in or out? Will you faint, or will you fight? When the Lord calls you to action, will you dive in or bail out? The apostle Paul told Timothy, “Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). Are you a worrier or a warrior? If you […]
Charles Caleb Colton is credited as having said, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” (though others said similar things dating back as far as the time of Marcus Aurelius). There is an appropriate plagiarism when it comes to Jesus. Paul told the Ephesians to “follow God’s example.” This expression comes from a verb that […]
