A friend and I have been reading the book of Ephesians together. For over a year. We go down a lot of rabbit trails during our time together, but when we zero in on Ephesians, the rewards are rich indeed. Spending that much time on that short a book, however, also...
Yesterday's message ... Referenced both Marla Maples and Jimmy Carter within the first three minutes. How's that for name dropping & president referencing?! Used Jesus' words regarding gouging eyes & amputating hands to prove what most of us know but some of...
Here are words from the mouth of Jesus that we find in Mark 3: 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”...
Many of you are familiar with the Romans Road, a collection of verses from that signature New Testament book designed to lead people on the "road" to salvation. It starts out with our Problem from Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the...
On Sunday night, I drove thirty-seven miles due south to preach at the Annual Chester, SC (pop. 5,607) Ministerial Association Revival. Chester's First Baptist Church hosted the event, and if my memory is working right, it marked the first time I have ever spoken...
Yesterday's message .... Connected John McEnroe and Jesus; Poked at the so-called Red Letter Christians; Brought Romans 5:10 to bear on Matthew 5:44-45; Landed at this bottom line: You can only love your enemies when you realize you're the loved enemy....
In 2014, we had Head Scratchers, a series where you knew what Jesus said, you just couldn't figure out what it means. Happily, that series was the first one that Abingdon Press picked up and turn into a book. In 2016, we had Jaw Droppers, a series where we knew what...
On Wednesday evening, I was able to support the ministry of my 25 year old son Riley and his wife Natalie. What? Yes, they are part of the Campus Crusade For Christ (these days called more simply "Cru") at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Riley asked me to...
Several of us on staff at Good Shepherd received this email from a mom last week: [My 12 year old son] was sharing a story with me today on the way to school. He said some of his friends were talking about Jesus and one of the girls at the table revealed that she was...
There are certain phrases that those of us who are part of the church in general and ministry in particular should never use as self-descriptors. In other words, we should never say them about ourselves . . . but we should be grateful if others say them about us. Here...