Monkey and Gourds
Even though our church was experiencing many of the elements of historical revival during my teen years, my father would make time every week for the two of us to play golf. Golf can be a little different when played…
Everything Going Great, Until…
Everything was going great, until... The anointing of Solomon to succeed his father on Israel’s throne was a miracle of grace to begin with. The expected and correct choice would have been David’s eldest surviving son, Adonijah. That’s what Adonijah…
Speak to Them… But Don’t Be Surprised If No One Listens
I am afraid that the instant gratification of social media posts is reducing too many preachers of our day to a servile relationship with an invisible audience of likes and “hearts.” It is increasingly obvious that many of the prominent…
Invaluable Leadership Principles from John the Baptist
I don’t know that there are many leadership books or seminars that would draw a crowd with John the Baptist’s view of leadership in the Kingdom of God. Yet Jesus said of him, “among those born of women there has…
Fix Your Focus
There’s so much fear out there. The principal sent out an email last week that a jogger had been attacked in our town so we should warn our kids to be careful on their way to school. The news reported…
What is Revival?
Used to be that the subject of revival drew little interest in the nation. It was thought by most to be irrelevant, given the current popularity of a more subdued, rational approach to the Christian faith. A few ridiculed the…
The Same Battle… Two Opposite Responses
I have nothing against consultants. How’s that for an opening statement? The issue I have is with church leadership that finds itself in crisis and, as their first response, calls in a consultant because they don’t know what to…
Changing A Nation Through Repentance
I have heard a whole lot of media chatter, rising to a crescendo during the coverage of the passing of Billy Graham, that apparently believes the most desirable feature of the Christian message or messenger is that it is without…
Running From Thorns
2018 broke heavy on Rita and me. We were on a short break down in Arizona, between Christmas and New Year, to recoup from the craziness of the December schedule. I’m sure every pastor feels that way. Some time New…
Parking Spaces or Nothing
It was not just for Jeremiah’s benefit that God said to him, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3). After all, Jeremiah was already…