Last week my daughter attended church camp and came back wearing this shirt: I love it! Isaiah 41:10 is such an inspiring Bible verse, especially to those who are enduring the kind of struggles that breed fear. That verse says… “…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; […]
My dog Henry loves to mow the lawn with me. Every time he sees me put on my mowing hat, he starts jumping up and down and yelping excitedly because he knows that we’re going to his favorite place – outside! When he was a puppy Henry couldn’t seem to figure out that, when it […]
This week I am teaching at Camp Blue Haven in New Mexico. Last night I had the great privilege of preaching from Hebrews 12:1-3… (1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with […]
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I […]
My friend Matthew Dowling maintains an excellent blog that you should read if you’re interested in growing in your knowledge of the Bible. Yesterday, he posted about a very important topic for Christians today who wish to be faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. Here’s his post… The headlines are ever full of the consequences of […]
There’s a person in our community who I have been serving and ministering to for years. Over that period of time, I have come to genuinely care about this person and we have become friends who enjoy visiting with one another. This person, who I will refer to as “J,” has been homeless for a […]
Last Monday I had the great honor of co-teaching a class at Oklahoma Christian University’s annual Bible Lectures with Dr. Nathan Mellor of Strata Leadership, LLC. Our topic was “How to Create a Healthy Church Culture,” and it was such a joy to facilitate a discussion among church leaders about this important subject. The Bible […]
On Wednesday nights this fall I am teaching a class on Romans 8, and I love the connection between the opening and closing thoughts of that chapter. The chapter begins with these words, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” The chapter ends with this passage: “For I am […]
You’ve heard of “raising the roof,” but what about “removing the roof?” Yesterday, in my devotional reading of the Bible, I read the story of Jesus healing the paralytic in Mark 2:1-12. The point of the story is, of course, the revelation of Jesus as God’s Messiah who has the authority and the ability to […]
So, you’re a Christian who believes it’s not wrong, improper, or irresponsible to drink alcohol. OK. But I can ask you a favor? Please don’t flaunt it. And here’s why… Last Friday night I attended our congregation’s Celebrate Recovery meeting, which includes a newcomer’s class for those who haven’t been before and want to learn […]
