Words for the Day

Hi, this is Bob Williamson. Well, it's with a heavy heart I have to tell you this, but I can't see you well enough to write Words for the Day anymore . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/thanks-for-a-great-25-years/

I was talking with a lady the other day about her strategy to lead others to Christ and she was adamant that she would not call herself a Christian or mention Jesus during the process of initially trying to convince a pre-believer to become a believer. Additionally she would not proclaim the gospel . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/secret-agent-2/

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/try-it-youll-like-it/

I've been studying the four Gospels as of late and have found it incredulous that the Jews would not accept Jesus as the Messiah. I just finished Josh McDowell's book, More than a Carpenter. If you have not read it, you are truly missing out. It is a must read! Josh was an agonistic/atheist and was one of those of us who tried to disprove the Bible. He went the extra mile and after extensive research including going abroad to study ended up devoting his life to Christ . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/texas-awash-in-silver-dollars-2/

I have a friend who has excelled in many areas of his life. He played college football and obtained a scholarship to a major University; he ran for office in state politics, became a congressman, and assumed the top job in the House where he served several years. He changed professions and entered the academic world and assumed the top job at a major University . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/you-can-keep-your-blasted-flowers-2/

I thought about what Easter means to me. And invariably Christ's face appeared in my mind. One should know that I have a Jesus image in my mind that has been cultivated over fifty some odd years. As I study it I am amazed. Now one (Jonhny-come-lately) version of the Jesus imprint has more recently been identified as Jesus who was wrapped in the linen cloth of the Shroud of Turin when He was crucified . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/easter-2/

One night my son and I and about fifty other people were invited to the Governor's mansion for a reception with Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott. The place was filled with important businessmen and women; (and then there was my son and me. And before you ask we have no idea how, or why, we ended up in the mix). So what does one do at a gala event with such important people? . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/gods-realm/

I was praying yesterday, and asking God to forgive my mistakes of last year and to give me a quiet spirit of peace and determination to do better this year. I received a feeling of comfort about it and felt His warm loving Spirit engulf me and remind me of something that I often say, but perhaps don't think about enough . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/father-bob/

I visited Israel a couple of years ago and it was the most inspiring event of my life. Unlike here in the good old USA, people of all faiths in that country take God very seriously. There are more religious sites and holy places throughout their cities than fast food restaurants here. It is uplifting and spiritual just to be in that country and to see so many people totally dedicated to worshipping God . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/holy-land/

I was praying this morning and thanking God for all He has done for me and my family. I was thinking about the Lords Prayer during this process. As you will remember this prayer was given by Jesus Himself when instructing His followers how to pray . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/prayer-basics-2/

I was in Mexico City one time and had no idea how cold it gets there. It's located at a higher altitude and at night it is freezing cold. I'd gone to a restaurant and after eating dinner was walking through a market and a little girl perhaps five years old came up to me and tugged on my pants leg. I looked down and was struck by her angelic beauty. She had large almond shaped brown eyes and was dressed in shabby clothes and her feet were wrapped in newspapers because she had no shoes. She looked up at me and held out her tiny hand for money and pointed to her little belly indicating she was hungry. She was alone on this dimly lit crowded street at approximately 10 p.m. . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/poor/

Bernard Levin once said: “Countries like ours are full of people who have all of the material comforts they desire, yet lead lives of quiet (and at times noisy) desperation, understanding nothing but the fact that there is a hole inside them and that however much food and drink they pour into it, however many motorcars and television sets they stuff it with, however many well balanced children and loyal friends they parade around the edges of it . . . it aches!” . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/anxiety-ensured/

I once lived next door to a guy who owned every kind of tool known to mankind. He had bench saws, miter saws, jig saws, band saws, thousands of wrenches metric and otherwise, ratchets, extensions, sockets, electricians tools, lathe, drills, ladders, screwdrivers, welders, magnets, mirrors, grinders, clamps, glass cutters, voltage meters, you name it. He could have built the sixth fleet, an entire subdivision, and the Trump Casino with all that stuff . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/tools/

We're fast approaching the best and holiest time of the year and it has absolutely nothing to do with Easter Bunnies. This celebration is about Jesus Christ being crucified and three days later arising from the grave and death being defeated forever which made reunification with almighty God reality . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/easter/

Christians are often accused by the world of being narrow minded and exclusionary. The reason for this is we believe that there is but one way to get to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. Why do we believe that? Because we think that we are better than everyone in the world? Because we think that we are holier than everyone else in the world? Certainly not! We believe it because Jesus Himself tells us that is His plan in the Bible and we believe the Bible to be the holy Word of God. Jesus said that there is but one way to get to heaven and that is through Him . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/narrow-minded-3/

A friend sent this to me the other day and it seemed to fit right in with the mood I've been in as I have been focusing on Jesus and His trip to the cross on our behalf. Easter is not about bunnies; it is about the broken body and blood Jesus shed on our behalves . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/no-easter-bunnies/

Lately I feel as though I've lost my sense of direction. It is an unusual place for me to be; it seems as though God has withdrawn to a faraway place. Generally I set numerous goals in virtually every area of my life. I prioritize them, and work diligently to achieve them. But I just cannot seem to get on a track that feels comfortable. I cannot decide what to work on first . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/god-drawing-away/

I have a friend who talks up a storm. Once you get him started, just sit back and get yourself a cup of coffee, kick off your shoes, and make yourself comfortable because you are going to be there for a “while”. If you ask him what time it is, he will tell you how to build a clock, a watch, (including wind up and battery operated), a sun dial, and the origin of clocks. (My wife seems to think that I am cut out of the same mold and when you get the two of us together it is like releasing water out of the Hoover Dam She is so wrong about so many things!) . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/04/chatter-box-silenced-2/

Through the years many people have expressed their viewpoint about Jesus Christ. Most scholars, historians, and major religions acknowledge the existence of Jesus. For someone who only lived for 33 years He sure made an impact on this world. Even our time is marked by His birth and death, BC/AD. The Muslims acknowledge that He was a prophet in their Koran as do the Buddhists, (At least I had a Buddhist tell me that one time). Christians of course believe that he was God incarnate sent to earth to save humanity . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/destiny-2/

It is a well-known fact that it is easier to forgive than forget. As the old adage states: “Once burned, twice shy.” Often those who wrong us take the position that because we are Christians we must as part of our faith necessarily forgive them just as though the event never occurred. This sounds as though some arrogant punk who knows the Bible reveling in slapping the other cheek indefinitely . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/forgiveness-2/

I began writing Words for the Day many years ago, because so many of my employees, friends, and acquaintances were experiencing dark trials and tribulation in their lives (just like I was) and I deduced that they needed some encouragement. Many did not seem to study the Bible daily as I did every morning and I decided to begin detailing my daily experiences, thoughts, questions, discouragements, encouragements, etc. as they related to the answers that I found in the Bible . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/finding-light-when-darkness-comes-2/

One of the most rewarding things I've done in quite some time is to go through the Bible reading and studying one chapter per day 5 days per week. On the face of it that sounds excessive and some of you might question that there should be some time for a day off here and there. I suppose that depends upon one's perspective. I'm not studying the Bible out of duty or to get brownie points. I am actively seeking God's wisdom, advice, and help with living a joyful, loving, peaceful existence or better put attempting to enjoy God's rest in a world filled with the opposite . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/rest-for-the-weary-2/

I generally stay away from politics anymore, preferring to write about nicer things that have to do with salvation and such. But lately the Tesla burning terrorism is driving me batty. I cannot understand the mindset of those who are intent on destruction . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/tesla/

One thing that I love about America is the First Amendment. Among other important things it guarantees free speech. Frankly it sometimes goes overboard, as in allowing people to burn our flag, display pornography on television, and say some of the most outrageous vile things, but Americans are free to say pretty much anything they like and overall that is just swell with me . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/free-speech/

I read the other day that 3 people die every second; that is 180/minute, 260 thousand/day 95 million/year. Several have died while you read this sentence. Although death is common to us all, it is feared and dreaded by most people. How about you? Are you afraid to die? I am not afraid of death; however if the Lord sees fit to delay it for a while, I'm in no hurry. Christians believe that death is not a period, but a comma in their life . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/minute-by-minute/

I heard an interesting song recently. Its lyrics alluded to those throughout history who at one time or other had been derided for their beliefs and later were ultimately vindicated and finally had the last laugh . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/majority/

Recently a friend of mine sent me the following excerpt from a book he had read entitled, “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin. It's a memoir about a woman who spent a year of her life doing all kinds of things to try to make herself happier. The process led her to create two lists. The first she called her Twelve Commandments . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/profound/

A buddy was telling me of a relative that is very unhappy and when an attempt was made to witness to them my friend received an agnostic response. Part of it went something like this: “I don't believe all that Christian stuff. How could a good God send someone who isn't all that bad to hell for eternity? I just don't believe it! . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/light-switch-that-cannot-be-turned-off-2/

Every time I am faced with those tough decisions in life, invariably I go to the Lord in prayer; not just once, but often. I will pray several times a day and sometimes for days, weeks and even months. I wish the Lord would allow me to meet with him every morning and just say, “OK Bob this is what I want you to do today”. He has decided not to communicate in such a fashion and therefore we must search for the answers in other ways . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/decision-time-what-should-i-do-2/

I saw a video of one of my favorite musicians the other day, (Israel Kamakawiwo'ole – IZ), and he said something that was very profound. When referring to his music, he said that it yielded maximum pleasure with minimum effort. He went on to state that this was the Hawaiian way “Bro”, and then he laughed heartily. When watching a video of him singing, it is obvious that he is thoroughly enjoying himself and it does seem as if it is effortless for him to produce the most beautiful of songs. Undoubtedly he received maximum pleasure from producing his music . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/chill/

I was telling a friend of mine not so long ago about being incarcerated and how I found a way to partially escape the harshness of being imprisoned, (if only for a moment or two). I discovered that if I jumped up and grabbed onto the bars of the small window in my cell, that I could raise myself up and see a little patch of blue sky peeking through a corner of another tiny window located outside my cell and approximately 20 feet high up above me . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/hope-2/

According to societal benchmarks, life does seem unfair at times and bad things undoubtedly do happen to seemingly good people. Paul Harvey's sage advice to those graduating seniors as to what to do about it seems sound to me. Since we cannot change life, we might as well get used to it . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/get-used-to-it-2/

I recently read one of my good friend George Barna's surveys that indicates: Four out of ten Christians (40%) strongly agreed that Satan “is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.” Much like their perceptions of Satan, most Christians do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a living force, either. Overall, 38% strongly agreed and 20% agreed somewhat that the Holy Spirit is “a symbol of God's power or presence but is not a living entity.” . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/seeds-of-doubt/

Well my bout with the flu is over. I like to think that prayer, yours and mine, were responsible for it. Do you believe in prayer? Most people just casually answer to the affirmative, but I'm not sure that they really believe it . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/gods-healing/

My wife and I have a bad case of the flu. We almost never go anywhere that we might contract it anymore, but we both got it on the flight back on our last trip. In a word it's miserable I told her that I would have get better to die . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/03/flu/

My beloved brother Jim tragically took his own life several years ago, but it seems like only yesterday to me and it still grieves me and leaves me with a broken heart even today. I was going through his Bible this morning and reading his hand-written notes and saw one that read: “When on the edge, what would Jesus do?” Below it he had written: “Forgive – Don't talk about others – Jesus wouldn't.” . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/forgetting/

Back in the ancient days when I was young, I worked offshore on an oil rig derrick barge as a “rigger” for a while. These giant barges would float pre-constructed oil rigs far out to sea and then would anchor them in place by driving huge pipes hundreds of feet into the ocean floor through openings in each of the four legs of the rig . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/swept-away/

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author o subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/genuine-tears/

A reader sent the following colorful email the other day regarding forgiveness written by one of my heroes John Wayne. Mr. Williamson, someone recently sent me what he said was a quote from John Wayne that might fit your stress in your recent Word for the Day entry. “You should forgive your enemy but never forget the bastard's name!” Hopefully it should bring laughter to you to reduce your stress. I did get a chuckle out of it but fear the “Duke” was wrong about this one . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/wat-john-wayne-was-wrong-2/

One time I tried to help a disillusioned young man who was working on my house with a construction crew. He'd broken up with his girlfriend, quit his job, started drinking and (of all things) had begun smoking cigarettes. He'd moved to the Florida Keys (which is about as far south as someone who is trying to escape their problems can go and still remain in the United States) and was all alone. He was very clean cut and seemed out of place with the other workers and looked as if he should be working on Wall Street instead of on a construction site . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/you-cant-get-there-alone/

I was watching the DVD, “The Last Waltz” with the Band yesterday and Bob Dylan sang the song, “Forever Young”. He looked really young in the video and I couldn't help but muse that the aging process has not been kind to him; he's as ugly as an iguana nowadays. Too bad he couldn't have stayed forever young . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/staying-young/

Friday I had a nerve study conducted. I walked in and the doc told me he had heard me speak one time. I felt good that my doctor wouldn't be a complete stranger and would be extra careful with me. The test consisted of him attaching some electrode clips to various places on my fingers and then he brought out a cattle prod looking device, and he began jabbing me with both prongs and shocking me . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/painful/

I had an uncle who was a classic binge alcoholic. He would not drink during the week but started drinking heavily beginning Friday afternoon after he got off work. He would continue to drink literally until late Sunday night. This uncle raised bees for a hobby . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/the-dog-that-bites-back/

When I began my first business it was truly a step of faith on my part. At the time I had a good job and made a high salary and benefits, but I did not have any savings. Leaving all of that and starting my own business without adequate funding meant that it would necessitate that I hit the ground running and would need to make money as soon as I came out of the gate or face financial disaster. I was confident that I could do it, but no one else thought it was a good idea. My wife was livid about it and did not want me to quit my high paying job as a plant manager. In fact when I resigned she would not speak to me for two weeks . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/faith-5/

I recently had my 54th anniversary. I wonder how I accomplished such a feat. Hmmm . . . For one thing I enjoy my wife's company. She has a heart of gold, or she never would have put up with me for so many years. Our marriage was never “perfect,” but we remained resolute that we would never get a divorce. Guns, knives, clubs, or water pistols, we vowed to use rather than mention the word divorce. I have said it a couple of times but immediately regretted it . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/divorce/

Lately I've run into more and more people who are discouraged. I decided to send out a rerun of a Words for the Day that I first sent out nearly two decades ago that should instill some confidence in you that things can and will turn around, even when things may seem their worst . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/sky-is-falling/

One day when I was a young man I was relaxing around the swimming pool at the apartments where I was living and a little boy about 12 years old fell in the deep end of the pool and sank like a rock. He didn't even flutter. I quickly dove in and swam to the bottom and retrieved him and brought him to the surface. Just as we emerged, his screaming 250 lb. mother jumped right on my head and back, (nearly breaking my neck in the process) . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/250-lb-bobcat/

It is very interesting watching the news these days and seeing prophecies that were foretold two thousand years ago and longer, unfold before our very eyes. Jesus said that in the end there would be wars and rumors of wars – yep we have that. He said that there would be pestilence – HIV, anthrax, smallpox, yep we have that. He said that towards the end it would be a time of great learning – yep. He said that many nations would arise against Israel– oh yeah that one is happening . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/mother-of-all-wars/

I was watching You Tube TV the other night and a moment of Zen appeared on the screen. It was in fact the Northern Lights. They moved around eerily and displayed a greenish yellow color that was just beautiful. The lights were whipping around all over the screen and rose to great heights. Suddenly a red glow appeared at the bottom of the screen and moved eerily along it as if to say There is no God but me . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/northern-lights/

Bernard Levin once said: “Countries like ours are full of people who have all of the material comforts they desire, yet lead lives of quiet (and at times noisy) desperation, understanding nothing but the fact that there is a hole inside them and that however much food and drink they pour into it, however many motorcars and television sets they stuff it with, however many well balanced children and loyal friends they parade around the edges of it . . . it aches!” . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/aching/

The Bible is “God breathed” and was authored and inspired in its entirety by the Holy Spirit. It has 66 books that were written over a period believed to be 1500 or more years and is commonly believed to have had 40 divinely inspired authors who penned it. And yet amazingly no one can disprove a word of it. An astonishing 668 prophecies have been fulfilled and none have ever been proven false (three are unconfirmed) . . . https://www.wordsfortheday.com/2025/02/the-bible-2/