Monthly Archives: April 2012

Fleeting Laughter, Lasting Pain

Posted on 2012/04/30 by Shawn Thomas

Most of us have been guilty at some point of poking fun at someone without thinking of the pain it might be inflicting on them.  In Peter Ackroyd’s Dickens, he tells the story of John Coleman, who lived opposite the … Continue reading →

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My MRI Experience

Posted on 2012/04/30 by Shawn Thomas

Last Thursday I had my first MRI.  “MRI” is short for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, which is the use of nuclear magnetic resonance to produce images of internal body structures that don’t show up well on x-rays.  I have had headaches and … Continue reading →

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“The World” (John 3:16 series)

Posted on 2012/04/22 by Shawn Thomas

     “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world; red and yellow, black and white; they are precious in His sight.  Jesus loves the little children of the world.”  Many of us have known that song since … Continue reading →

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Charles Dickens on Criticism

Posted on 2012/04/18 by Shawn Thomas

“ … one of the reviewers [of Dickens’ books] suggested that ‘it does not appear certain to us that his books will live …’.  But what did Dickens make of such criticism?  A few weeks later he was walking with … Continue reading →

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Sermon Illustrations from Peter Ackroyd’s “Dickens”

Posted on 2012/04/17 by Shawn Thomas

Preachers find illustrations for sermons from every sphere of life, including their own personal experiences and, of course, the hilarious things their children say.  Many pastors also glean sermon illustrations in the course of their reading as well.  I am currently … Continue reading →

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“… So Loved …” (John 3:16 series)

Posted on 2012/04/15 by Shawn Thomas

     This week I read an interesting article on what the author considered to be the greatest love stories in history and literature.  There were many familiar stories listed: Romeo and Juliet of course; Lancelot and Guinevere, Darcy & Elizabeth, Heloise & … Continue reading →

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“For God …” (John 3:16 series)

Posted on 2012/04/08 by Shawn Thomas

     In London, England there is a 70-foot high red granite obelisk called “Cleopatra’s Needle” that stands beside the Thames River.  In the 1870’s it was given to Britain by Egypt.  When it was moved to England, they put a “time vault” at … Continue reading →

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Rigor Mortis: “The Stiffness of Death”

Posted on 2012/04/02 by Shawn Thomas

     I petted our dog Percy’s head for a few minutes, gave him what would become my final blessing to him – and left for a few moments to go to the store.  While there I received a tearful call from … Continue reading →

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“Introduction to John 3:16”

Posted on 2012/04/01 by Shawn Thomas

     Last January, Focus on the Family produced a commercial, featuring a group of children quoting “John 3:16″.  The commercial ends with a little girl saying, “Wow!”  I literally laughed out loud for joy when I watched that for the first time – John 3:16 really IS a … Continue reading →

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