Thank you! Many of you (especially the diligent social networkers) have noticed the passing of another year in my life. Birthday #76. I begin my 77th journey around the sun. I especially liked the greeting: Happy “Bob” Day. I love little sayings and quotations. They give flavor and spice to life. They provide instant orientation …
Author Archives: bro.bobyoung
Word for Today: “Surrender” to what counts
You will never be worth much to God in your Christian life until you learn to surrender to what counts. The spiritual disciplines must include surrender. In fact, surrender may be first, the foundation of every other discipline. Surrender is the ultimate expression of thinking like Jesus (Philippians 2:5). Until we learn the lesson of …
Continue reading “Word for Today: “Surrender” to what counts”
Sunday: Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day sermons are unique. For over 40 years, I preached a sermon every Mother’s Day, with only a few exceptions. For the last dozen years, I have “preached” my Mother’s Day sermons by posting sermons to my website, blogging, or through social media and videos. Preparing the “just right” sermon is a challenge, a …
From my Mother: Wealth
Happy Mother’s Day! Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. If your mother is still living, count your blessings this Mother’s Day. My mother collected little thoughts and sayings. She had countless little pieces of paper, some cut out of a church bulletin, others where she had written or copied something she had heard or read. She put …
Easter: A good time to get a firmer grip on the gospel
Many Christians have failed to grasp that the resurrection is the polar star for the Christian faith and message. Without the resurrection, Christianity is empty. The Christian message is summarized in the “gospel”, literally, good news. Paul claims that in preaching the gospel, he was sharing “first things” — the death, burial, and resurrection of …
Continue reading “Easter: A good time to get a firmer grip on the gospel”
Yesterday and Today: Valentine’s Day, an Anniversary?
Jan and I celebrate 109 years of marriage today. WE have been married 109 years. (Those of you who know our story know that is 54 1/2 for me and 54 1/2 for her. We are careful how we answer, depending on how the question is phrased. If you ask about US, WE count one …
Continue reading “Yesterday and Today: Valentine’s Day, an Anniversary?”
Sunday: Love and Power
We talk about love but do not understand it. We love love, we do not live love. Love and power are opposites. They do not coexist. When I operate from power, love is not on display. A bad question: “Who’s going to rule the house?” Another bad question: “Who runs this church?”Understand the contrast, difference, …
Evangelism: Getting People to Do What They Are Not Doing?
In ministry and mission work, I often evaluate and design evangelistic outreach programs for local congregations. Who will be the target audience? What will motivate those the church seeks to reach? What should the church do to maximize results? What activities will be most effective? Equally important questions must be added when one considers that …
Continue reading “Evangelism: Getting People to Do What They Are Not Doing?”
Sunday: With Pedro Sanchez, my “socio”
Through the years, I have often worshiped in English at an early service and then worshiped in Spanish at a later service. I am blessed when I get to study the Bible and worship in Spanish. That blessing is seldom more apparent than when my good friend and brother, Pedro Sanchez, from Santiago, Chile, is …
Sunday: Joy
Most people in this world want to be happy. There may be a few scrooges who relish negativism and pessimism, but in my experience such people are the exception. Are we looking for happiness in the wrong places? Many seek happiness in possessions, experiences, work, relationships, prestige, or popularity. John wrote to struggling Christians near …