Have you ever heard the creed of U.S. mail carriers? It says, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." We have been studying the book of Esther in the services of the church. Esther's story took place during the days of… Continue reading Saddle Up, and Ride!
Charles Spurgeon, the great pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, was well-acquainted with depression. When he was 22 years old, preaching to thousands of people at the Surrey Gardens Music Hall, a prankster yelled, "FIRE!" which caused a great panic. In the mob rush, seven people were killed. The young preacher never recovered from… Continue reading When the Power of Depression is Upon You
Pastoral ministry involves many responsibilities, but some things must remain central. Here are five biblical priorities that help keep a church focused on what matters most.
Face it. There are just matters beyond our control. The actions of others, the unforeseeable events of life, the weather, the past, and the list continues. There is something within our grasp, though. We can control what we do. Take a story from the book of Esther for example. Mordecai has been elevated to a… Continue reading Commit to the Sowing
There are moments in life that remind us of how much we are blessed by good family and friends in our lives. When a family member passes awayWhen a child is bornWhen that empty-nest feeling settles upon youWhen sickness comesWhen loneliness settles upon your heart The list can go on, but there are just times… Continue reading Now More than Ever, with my Church Family
It is a serious matter to be entrusted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One man said, "Because you have, you owe." Because I have Christ in my heart, I owe the Gospel unto others. Years ago, I had an unexpected encounter with a person. I was visiting at the home of another person, and… Continue reading I Am Ready: 7 Ways to Prepare for That Conversation about Jesus
We need preaching, but what does that mean? Is preaching a bunch of opinions clothed in religious garb? Is it funny stories, life lessons, or yelling with scratchy pitches? I submit that the preaching we need is Bible preaching. Look at what the apostle Paul said about his preaching: And I was with you in… Continue reading What Kind of Preaching Do We Need?
Happy New Year! The new year is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a new beginning and a fresh start. It is a time of reflection upon the last year and rededication for the next year. Plans are made, goals are established, and we purpose that this year will be better… Continue reading For Such a Time as This
Powerful truth!
I wish you could know my sweet grandmother. She is one of those people that just makes you feel loved, excited, and happy all at the same time. We grew up calling her, "Nanny." (By the way, she's still my Nanny!) It's always fun to watch her get excited and do the Nanny stomp! She… Continue reading A Thumbs Up
