tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:03:12 +0000forgivingcontrolcrowdsBible studyearthhonorsaccountabilitygracedeathencouragementunconditionaltheologyspiritual lifethirstmanhoodhellforgivenessservicegrowwarfareanxietypracticeleavingtruthgoodnessaffectionswealthactionstudymercyBiblethoughtsfourth of Julytemptationpastbasicsmaturitykidssinbaseballhealingparenthooddramapleasing GodselfishnesssnakespeaceValentineChristmasexamplegrowthshare faithinventoryjoyfaithheartcomputersrememberingbitternessintrospectiontonguedisobediencefirecoachingchurchstartingsacrificepainpowerstrifeWallendadirectioncharacterlovefunkself-helppessimismomnipotencecowsunityopportunitiesservingmovingdefragmentingsolitudereflectionfruitabide in ChristsupportpridetalkingSpiritual warfarepastorssermonshopewalking with Godgrammarleadinglazystinkwitnessevaluationcluttersoulpedicurespiritual disciplineappetitesnewnesstemplesignsmoving forwardcolognecursecakeattitudelearningwhiningfocusMitfordworrypapermathwilltestimonyelectionperspectivegentlenessfaithfulnessjusticerevivalGospelself-centeredcitizenshipPassionrenewalmissiontreasuresdivisioncoolobediencerepentencepresentwastingcommitmentKingdomadulterylyingfreshnesswordsownershipself-controlskepticismpriorotiesmenpotato headfearpastorhealthGood FridayplansunseenrelationshipcarnalgraduationpurposeheavenlotterylightthanksgivingHoly Spiritatonementpraynegativitygood worksfreedomlittle thingstunaprovidencehigh wirereadyblessfundamentalstragedyblindBible readingbaldflaghumilityaimfamilyrolesdiscipleshipeternitydaughterexaminationsufferingleaderperseverencefuturesovereigntysilenceexcitementWorshipwaitingstormsfleshconfidencechurch attendanceGod's Wordfoot washingeconomysaveshinefoxesseeking GodfalldepressionGod's faithfulnesspeacemakercommunionMemorial Daysunriseknowing Godfollowconstructiontrialsfuelpursuing GodprioritiescleansingpatiencespeechGPSDottie RambointegritycrisissmellJuly 4thnicemeeknesssadnessbrokennesssimplicitymindkindergartenvalueresponsibilitylessonstrustpositiveNew Yeardelighthurtsound mindLordshiprefugeDadrepentanceone anotherchangefoolsperfumedesiresmarriagebloodEvangelismpreachingmeditationmemorizingblessingsemotionsmemoriesspirtual disciplineSBCpreachersJehovah's WitnessMRIsquirrelsVBSimitationprayerfriendsgreatnesschildrenvictorygermsvisionblessedstressacceptancehurricaneprocessprosperitygoalsSalvationspiritualitymicetimelifelisteningEmmaustestscriticismdreamsThe ShackrapturekindnesswisdomaspirationsredemptionyeastcatcherfishingfractionsguidancedevotionCrossfailurepyroinvestingmoneyhttp://www.jimsgems.org/noreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)Blogger497125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-8187695947733931833Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +00002012-02-10T06:00:12.933-05:00 Remember that famous parable Jesus told about the man with two sons?  You know, the one where the younger son split with his share of his dad’s inheritance only to go off and squander it.  Well, are you familiar with the OTHER story Jesus told about a man with two sons?  You can find this story in Matthew 21:28-32.  The man asked his first son to go work in the field.  The son said, “No,” http://www.jimsgems.org/2012/02/what-are-you-screaming.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-2423279224095966170Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +00002012-02-07T07:18:10.225-05:00 One of the things all parents labor to teach their children is the importance of saying "I'm sorry," when they have done something wrong. Unfortunately, adults do not do a very good job of modeling this discipline. Those two words are among the hardest in the English language to speak – not because of pronunciation but because of implication. To say, "I'm sorry" is to confess I am wrong, http://www.jimsgems.org/2012/02/lessons-from-hog-pen.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-2356313827015640479Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:00:00 +00002012-02-03T06:00:01.770-05:00 One of the more unpleasant parts of my job is listening to my own sermons.  Yes, I do that most weeks.  I listen to see what verbal faux pas I make – and they are many.  I don’t like to listen to myself talk, but hopefully in doing so, I will do better the next time.  I must admit, I have even fallen asleep on one of my sermons.  So I guess I shouldn’t be too hard on that man in our 11:00 http://www.jimsgems.org/2012/02/my-words-and-my-heart.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-7431404685619841910Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:26:00 +00002012-01-31T00:43:14.293-05:00 Craig Childs is an author and naturalist who has extensively studied mountain lions of North America.  Once while doing research in Arizona's Blue Range Wilderness, he spotted a mountain lion drinking water. The lion did not notice his presence, and once it finished its drink, it meandered into a nearby clump of juniper bushes.   After a few minutes, Childs walked to the water hole to http://www.jimsgems.org/2012/01/this-lion-does-not-sleep-tonight.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-3599601491545689794Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +00002012-01-27T07:18:14.732-05:00 My favorite Star Wars character is Yoda.  In The Empire Strikes Back, Yoda takes on the task of training young Luke Skywalker in the Jedi way.  When Yoda challenges Luke in his training, Luke responds by saying, “I will try.” Yoda responds, "No! Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."  In other words, STOP MAKING EXCUSES, GET THE JOB DONE!  Excuses are one of my MAJOR pet peeves.  Have http://www.jimsgems.org/2012/01/yoda-theology.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-332956483450777131Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +00002012-01-24T06:00:04.342-05:00 86,400. That is an interesting number.  When God created the earth, on the first day, He created light. He then separated the light from the darkness, and the light He called day and the dark He called night. Then the Bible says that cycle of light and dark was the first day. From the very beginning, God created 86,400 seconds in one day for us to utilize. He then gave us the freedom to http://www.jimsgems.org/2012/01/86400-and-counting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-8843449859687438197Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +00002012-01-20T06:00:03.226-05:00 I have been amazed at the public backlash against Paula Deen, Y'ALL.  In case Y'ALL have been hiding under a rock this week and missed the story, Paula admitted this week that she has Type 2 Diabetes and that she has known of her diagnosis for several years.  I have heard her called a hypocrite, heard her maligned for the type of cooking she does, and even heard implications that she is in http://www.jimsgems.org/2012/01/stop-blame-game-yall.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-1232420275392499839Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +00002012-01-17T06:00:03.296-05:00 In a recent sermon, I read from the passage in Revelation 3 where Jesus described the condition of the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22).  The church generally was characterized as “lukewarm,” meaning that they offered neither the spiritually equivalency of the therapeutic benefit of warm springs nor the spiritual equivalency of a refreshing drink of cool water. One of the evidences http://www.jimsgems.org/2012/01/spiritually-oblivious.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-6604930233644342157Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +00002012-01-10T12:18:21.523-05:00 Matt Emmons had the gold medal in sight. He was one shot away from claiming victory in the 2004 Olympic 50-meter three-position rifle event. He didn't even need a bull's-eye to win. His final shot merely needed to be on target. Normally, the shot he made would have received a score of 8.1, more than enough for a gold medal. But in what was described as "an extremely rare mistake in elite http://www.jimsgems.org/2012/01/re-sighting-your-scope.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-2078707768157836123Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +00002012-01-06T06:00:05.676-05:00 One of the most remarkable of Jesus’ miracles took place early in His ministry as He taught a packed house in Capernaum.  Four men brought a paralytic friend hoping Jesus would heal him.  When they could not get through the crowd to present their friend to Jesus, they climbed up on the roof and tore away enough of the thatch roof to lower their friend right in front of Jesus. Their effort http://www.jimsgems.org/2012/01/say-what.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-3605564589034800232Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +00002012-01-03T09:06:01.058-05:00 I find it most interesting that of all the demons Jesus encountered – and defeated all of them – that the first one was in church.  Mark 1:21-28 recounts the story of Jesus’ visit to the Capernaum synagogue.  The leaders invited Jesus to expound from a passage of Scripture, and He did so with such anointing that the people were amazed that He “taught them as one who had authority, and not as http://www.jimsgems.org/2012/01/whos-coming-to-church-with-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-1693792099479026346Sun, 25 Dec 2011 13:17:00 +00002011-12-25T08:17:45.674-05:00May you have a "Mary" Christmas rather than a "Martha" Christmas. Slow down today and worship the Savior, who is Jesus Christ, our Lord. http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/12/may-you-have-mary-christmas-rather-than.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-5966109165862854168Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:20:00 +00002011-11-18T17:22:44.203-05:00 Jim's Gems is going on hiatus again. I did this in the summer of 2010 and I think now would be a good time to do it again for a couple of reasons. First, we are entering a very busy season of the year. I want to have plenty of time to spend with my wife and daughter rather than sitting in front of a MacBook. Writing the blog is not very time consuming, but thoughts of what to write http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/11/high-ate-us.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-6686884685470410366Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:00:00 +00002011-11-11T06:00:01.419-05:00 “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” was the title of a popular country song during my teen years, but now in my adult years I can honestly say my heroes are soldiers – men and women who selflessly serve past and present in the various branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. These brave souls devote their lives to the cause of preserving the freedoms that we enjoy in our country. We owe a tremendous http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/11/veterans-in-gods-army_11.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-2259103848128942199Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:00:00 +00002011-11-08T06:00:27.324-05:00 I have heard the old saying all my life, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” The gist of the saying is that merely intending to do something does not actually get it done – or I guess I should say “git ‘r dun.” Sadly, I must admit I have worked on the road crew and laid my share of asphalt for sure. We all make promises we intend to keep about things we know are important to do,http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/11/laying-asphalt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-1191971853805732036Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:10:00 +00002011-11-03T16:36:35.671-04:00 This year is zipping right along.  November already.  In case you are counting, there are 54 shopping days until Christmas.  Fah La-la-la-la La-la-la Lah.  October was Clergy Appreciation Month, and boy, do I feel appreciated!  So many took the time this month to send an email, card, note of appreciation, or special gift to say thanks, and my family and I are grateful for our church family. http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/11/support-your-local-pastor.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-7006370832753683983Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:00:00 +00002011-10-25T06:18:16.189-04:00 Several events of late have cast me into a contemplative mood and led me to evaluate my life and the priorities by which I live.  Psalm 90:12 challenges us: So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. As of the day of this posting, I am 17,120 days old. As I thought about that verse, I resolved to make three life adjustments. First, slow down.  Psalm 46 contains a http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/10/marking-time.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-5666637032661700566Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:25:00 +00002011-10-21T16:25:32.836-04:00 “It’s only words, and words are all I have to take you heart away.” So goes a hit by the BeeGees back in the day when I was a kid.Words are interesting things. We have 26 letters in the English alphabet and they can be arranged in a number of ways to create a lot of words. In fact, according to www.wordorigins.com: All told, estimates of the total vocabulary of English start at around three http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/10/words.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-6594459581291758578Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:16:00 +00002011-10-18T15:16:26.568-04:00 Modern technology has simplified the way we exchange and store information. One can now share data between electronic devices through a process known as synchronizing. For instance, when I enter an appointment on my phone's calendar, through the medium of the internet, my calendar on my computer also updates so that I can look at either calendar and see my schedule up to date.' I've noticed http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/10/synchronizing-your-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-4843795776080501252Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:54:00 +00002011-10-11T09:54:49.749-04:00 Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in sand. The head in the sand myth emerged from the practice ostriches have when threatened and unable to run. They feign death by flopping to the ground with their head and neck in front of them. Because the color of their head and neck blends with the sand, they appear to have them buried in the ground. One species that oftenhttp://www.jimsgems.org/2011/10/ostrich-christians.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-2783091687790910981Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:12:00 +00002011-10-07T11:12:31.077-04:00I often hear church people talk about the problems that their church has. Some claim to have money woes, some claim battles for control, some claim apathy issues, some blame a preacher or staff member for their ills, and some churches are quite creative in the tribulations they perceive. I've concluded, however, that most churches have only ONE problem and all of their other perceived problems http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/10/church-problems.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-9196150307392651773Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:43:00 +00002011-10-04T09:43:51.939-04:00After almost 29 years in ministry, I have concluded that the greatest threat to the church is not external, but internal. Churches do not fail because of outside influences; they fail because of inside obstacles. Throughout the years, I have observed at least 3 internal obstacles. I am sure there are more, but these three will suffice for the day.First, we are in danger from myopic thinking. http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/10/imploding-church.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-3992007586267522619Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:47:00 +00002011-09-30T15:47:15.144-04:00 I witnessed a funny sight the other day as I made hospital rounds. When I arrived at the elevators, a woman stood there waiting ahead of me.  Since the up arrow light was on, I knew she had mashed the button at least once. While we waited for what must have been about 60 seconds, she mashed the button again four times – as if the more she mashed the button the faster the elevator http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/09/waiting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-874971167918687757Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:00:00 +00002011-09-27T06:00:10.982-04:00 Baseball players are notoriously superstitious. Players on a good run will not shave, change socks, routine, pre-game meals . . . you name it. Players on a bad run will try and change any and everything about their game in hopes that “luck” will come their way.Apparently, emperors are superstitious too. His mother Helena exposed Constantine to Christianity, but it was not until much later in http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/09/hearts-desire.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11261837.post-7882021148452896889Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:33:00 +00002011-09-23T12:37:45.082-04:00A question has haunted me the last couple of days, “Am I a good steward of my life?” Mostly in Christian circles when we think of the word “stewardship” we think of how much money we put in the offering plate at church. We think of being good stewards of the money God has entrusted to us. What about the other blessings of life? What about time? There are 86,400 seconds in every day. How do http://www.jimsgems.org/2011/09/stewardship-of-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jim Duggan)1