Paul W. Powell Legacy Library

I once read an address delivered by Dr. Douglas Freeman at the dedication of the library at the University of Florida. Dr. Freeman was for many years the editor of the Richmond News Leader and the author of a Pulitzer Prize–winning biography of Robert E. Lee. At the close of his address he made a rather startling observation that the most important thing ab...

Here is a typical day for any pastor in America today. Received a telephone call from a young lady who recently married outside of her faith. She is now having trouble from both sides of the family.  Worked on a funeral sermon for a dear friend who passed away. Visited with a young couple. They are new here in town. She is lonely. Her parents live in a distant...

Occasionally one hears the complimentary statement, “He is a Christian and a gentleman.” The expression throws a shadow across our modern brand of Christianity. The implication is that a Christian is not necessarily a gentle person. In all likelihood all of us could relate a case or two to bear out the point. Most of us have to work for years to wear off...

At the turn of the 19th century, when the forces of lawlessness were let loose in England, William Wordsworth paid tribute to John Milton by writing, “Milton! Thou shouldst be living at this hour: England, hath need of thee… Oh! raise us up, return to us again; and give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.” Today this same call could well be sent to...

The song "God Bless America" is also a prayer that God will bless us again. For in spite of all our blessings we still have great needs. I think what Charles Dickens said concerning the French Revolution in A Tale of Two Cities could well be applied to our day. He said, “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.”  Today is a time of d...

Philosopher Sidney Harris said, “It is easier to be a ‘humanitarian’ than to render your own country its proper dues; it is easier to be a ‘patriot’ than to make your community a better place to live in; it is easier to be a ‘civic leader’ than to treat your own family with love and understanding: for the smaller the focus of...

Someone has well said, “One trouble with the world today is that so many people who stand up vigorously for their rights fall down miserably on their duties.” In Christianity, as in citizenship, there are responsibilities as well as rights. There are duties as well as privileges. In Micah 6:8 the question is asked, “What doth the Lord require of thee...

You are one in a million so why bother to vote, to speak up, to get involved, or to commit yourself? The German author Hans Habe tells us why. He said, “The world is one percent good, one percent bad, and 98 percent neutral. That’s why what individuals do is so important.” The tragedy of our world is neutrality. Most people want to play it safe. The...

1 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. 3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. 5 Gracious...