Yesterday, I preached on the topic of self-control as part of my series on the fruit of the Spirit. One of the words that the Bible uses to convey self-control means "self-mastery," and it is most prominently used in Genesis 4, which tells the story of Cain and Abel. You probably know that in that … Continue reading Self-Control
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Be Kind
This article by Trevin Wax is a perfect complement to our sermon on "Kindness & Goodness" from this past Sunday... I confess to being one of the many Americans heartened by Ellen Degeneres’s defense of her friendship with George W. Bush and the fun they had at a football game a few weeks ago. In … Continue reading Be Kind
Massacre!
Last night I attended the J.J. Millican Ethics Symposium at my alma mater, Oklahoma Christian University. This year's speaker was Hannibal B. Johnson, who is an accomplished lawyer, writer, leader, and speaker. He is also widely recognized as the premiere expert on the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, and this was the topic of his … Continue reading Massacre!
The Big Story of Scripture
Do you want to learn the big story of Scripture? If so, the Wineskins group has created a wonderful resource called "Theodrama," which is a collection of short videos that unpacks the story of Scripture in 70 episodes. The videos are narrated by Dr. John Mark Hicks, who is a theology professor at Lipscomb University … Continue reading The Big Story of Scripture
A Song for Monday
Here's an encouraging song by Sandra McCracken to get your week started on the right foot by reminding you that, whatever you go through this week, God is with you. Before you listen to the song, read the following description of the song's theme: “We Will Feast in the House of Zion” encourages us to … Continue reading A Song for Monday
Practicing Peace
The peace that the apostle Paul has in mind when he lists it as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 is the kind that is demonstrated within interpersonal relationships. So, what does this peace look like in practice? Dr. Christopher J.H. Wright answers that questions like this: What does it mean to practice … Continue reading Practicing Peace
Pray & Work for Peace
This week I am encouraging my congregation to pray the following prayer of peace that is most commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi... Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; … Continue reading Pray & Work for Peace
