The pastor was relieved that I agreed to preach in his absence because he said he had been turned down by seven others before asking me. Ordinarily that would be classified as an ego-buster. I’m not sure I’ve ever been the eighth choice before. However I was encouraged by the reminder that David’s seven brothers…
What comes to mind when you think of the month of March? The Ides of March? March Madness? St. Patrick’s Day? Mardi Gras? Texas Independence Day? Spring Break? Time Change Sunday? My grandfather, mother and grandson were born in March. If you were born in March, your flower is the daffodil. Sometimes we celebrate Good…
There are few things better for a minister than to see the success of those to whom he or she ministered. I just had one of those occasions. Thirty years ago I ministered to and among a group of students at the University of Texas in Austin, TX. That means they are now in their…
Yesterday, we watched our granddaughter board a plane to Nairobi, Kenya. At age seventeen, she exhibits more genuine faith than many adults I know. When she learned of the opportunity to spend ten days ministering to African orphans she prayed and determined God wanted her to be a part of the mission trip. Never mind…
Three days before her biggest moment on the ice, her mother died unexpectedly at the age of fifty-five. As a nation held its breath, Canadian Joannie Rochette skated twice in the Olympic Women’s Figure Skating, winning a Bronze Medal in memory of her Mom. Death is never convenient. When my Grandfather died, I was in…
She fell on the ski slope. When the results were known, Petra Majdic of Slovenia had five broken ribs and suffered a collapsed lung. Doctors discouraged her from continuing to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics, but she was determined. Another qualifying race, then another, then a third place finish. She had to be assisted…
As I write this Monday Morning Memo, I am in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada assisting with the “More Than Gold” Winter Olympic ministry. During the Opening Ceremonies I was struck by many things, but maybe most profoundly by Canadian poet Shane Koyczan’s poem “We Are More” – a tribute to the Canadian people. I…
I enjoyed the Super Bowl but I’m glad it’s over and congratulations to the New Orleans Saints. A recent survey showed 66% of men would miss the birth of their first born child in order to watch the Super Bowl. A lot of faithful Christians missed a worship service last night for the same purpose….
Many who preach, teach, and write on the subject of spiritual warfare do so from the perspective that we are warriors fighting Satan and striving to win a battle. I believe the Bible teaches that we are primarily ambassadors, who in the activity of representing our King in another kingdom, get caught in the crossfire…
Images of those suffering in Haiti continue to flood our television screens. They cry because they are in pain and feel they have been forgotten/forsaken. Pain is bad enough when provision is nearby, but incredibly difficult to bear when no help is in sight. I am so proud of our family physician, Dr. Brian Byrd,…