Tag: words

May22018 by Dale HeinoldNo Comments

Walking Through 2nd Peter – A Triumph of Words

Have you ever heard this? “If you don’t get anything else today get this.” It’s a tool used by a speaker or writer to underline their primary point. It is meant to draw attention to the one thing they want you to remember and apply above everything else that is said. While Peter doesn’t use those exact words, in our next step in our walk through 2nd Peter he does highlight his concern for his readers in a similar way. Because of the chapter numbers added later, it seems that Peter is shifting gears and moving from his warning about false-teachers to something else. In reality, he’s underscoring a basic truth stated earlier in chapter two – God has the final word. Peter says, “This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by w

Jan172018 by Dale HeinoldNo Comments

Practically James – Practically Speaking

Encouragment

Ever say something and immediately wish you could retract it? I can think of several times. In fact, the longer I think about it the more examples come to mind and the more I’m embarrassed. The insensitive comment. That joke which inadvertently offended. The rash promise. The harsh line that didn’t need to be said. The times of silence when words could bring healing comfort. We’ve all been there which makes our next lesson from the Letter of James all the more real and relevant. By way of reminder, we’re using James’ introduction as our outline. “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully d

Mar62017 by Dale Heinold2 Comments

Loose Lips

Encouragment

During WWII a warning became a part of our language. “Loose lips sink ships.” The message was often portrayed on stark colored posters with an image of a ship going down. It was a warning to all, both military and home front, that wayward words can have dire consequences. While the warning has become an idiom the message was very real. As goods and personnel moved across the oceans to support the war effort, enemy agents hoped to gain information to stop them. Loose slips could literally sink ships, and the person might be none the wiser. The book of Proverbs has a similar warning, “The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” (Proverbs 13:3, NASB95) Let’s apply this generally and then more specifically to followers of Jesus. Many cal

Sep252015 by Dale HeinoldNo Comments

The Believer’s New Clothes

Encouragment

Hans Christian Anderson once published a story called The Emperor’s New Clothes. Most of us are well familiar with the tale. A proud king is convinced to hire a pair of weavers to make him a new suit. They claim they can weave a material that will be invisible to those unworthy of their posts or “hopelessly stupid”. There is no such suit, of course, the weavers being con men and swindlers. Even though the suit is a hoax, no one wants to be seen as unworthy or stupid so they go along. The climax of the story is a grand parade as the King, clothed in his invisible suit, walks among his people. Everyone goes along with the charade, after all who wants to look stupid. That is until one little boy cries out, “But he hasn’t got anything on.” The crowd takes up the refrain, the truth can fina

Jan52014 by Dale Heinold1 Comment

A Simple Word

Encouragment, Faith

My great grandfather, Louis Reeser, had a knack for nicknames. Not only could he come up with interesting names but they stuck. It was a trait passed down from his father. While his own nickname was a plain Lou, his brothers sported names such as Camel, Doc,and Pec. His children, one of which is my grandma, collected names like Tinse, Cat, Tic, Rap, and Hud. I never managed to acquire a Reeser nickname, although my brother was often called Daver. One time, when I was a kid, a Sunday School teacher was presenting the story of Esther. Somewhere along the way she mentioned that I had an aunt named Esther. That was news to me! When I asked mom about it she laughed and said that the teacher was thinking of Aunt Tinse. Grandpa Reeser’s nicknames stuck like glue. With a simple word the rec

Dec302013 by Dale HeinoldNo Comments

An Unwanted Visitor: Ugly Words

Encouragment, Stuck

A few days ago I saw a possum sneak into our garage. Just so you understand the lay of the land, our garage is detached from the house and is about 10 yards from the door. I chased after the ugly critter, but it went behind the boxes and boards stored against the back wall. I tried to scare it out but did not have time to tear the whole garage apart. I don’t know about your garage, but mine is like a jigsaw puzzle. Needing to leave for work I decided to leave the garage door open a crack, hoping the visitor would leave of its own accord. Um, no. A day or two later I got a text message from my wife - “There’s poop in the garage!” O great, the ugly thing has moved in and begun to leave presents, just in time for Christmas. A few days later, and several more poop sightings I decided that