Summer is here and with that many of us will take a vacation. Susan and I will. Someone once told Vance Havner that the devil never took a vacation. The quick- witted southern evangelist said, “I don’t pattern my life after the devil. I pattern my life after the one who said, ‘Let us depart […]
John Paton was a missionary to the New Hebrides. In 1856 he resolved to preach the Gospel to the unreached tribes of these South Pacific islands. A church member warned him, “You’ll be eaten by cannibals!” Paton responded: “Your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess […]
Throughout my 47 years of ministry, I’ve had sincere people ask why I think church membership is important. An article about church membership posted on the 9Marks website spoke of this. Allow me to modify the article giving you three reasons why I believe joining a church is vital. My personal obedience requires it. The […]
I’ll never forget – and will forever appreciate a comment a man made many years ago in another ministry. He was a deacon – a godly senior saint. Leadership was discussing the pros and cons of changing pulpit translations. Some argued against that change – they liked the translation they had been born and bred […]
I can still remember my dear mother telling me that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile. Christians don’t always have to be happy. Circumstances in life can produce unhappiness – yet we are called to constantly rejoice in the goodness and greatness of our God. Joy is based on my relationship with […]
Only if America would turn back to God, then will he bless us. My question is – “Back to when? To our founding fathers? I don’t think so. Men like Washington, Jefferson and Franklin were deists. They believed in a supreme being but were not evangelical. Our nation was founded on a Judeo-Christian ethic, but not the […]
Paul David Tripp writes, “If you ask the little boy why he hit his sister, he won’t tell you it was because of the sin that’s in his heart. No, he’ll say, ‘She was bothering me.’ If you ask the teenager why he came in so late, he won’t willingly take responsibility. He’ll tell you […]
For centuries Christianity has held various opinions on the subject of war. Modern wars must not be confused with the wars fought by Israel in the OT. Today there is no nation acting as God’s representative. OT Israel was unique receiving special revelation. NT believers are never told to advance God’s kingdom by bloodshed. Historically […]
Special thanks to those who attended or helped with our counseling conference. Attendance was 150+ – larger than I ever anticipated with around 30 churches participating. Recently I read an article why church members are trending to go to therapy instead of the church with their problems. The article was written by Laura Kleinshmidt from […]
Happy Easter! Probably more appropriate is the early church’s greeting on this day. The worship leader would say, “Christ the Lord is risen!” and the congregation would respond, “He is risen indeed! This tradition continues – be ready! The Barna Group explored Americans’ definition of Easter. Most consider it a religious holiday (celebration of God, a holy day, […]