The following was taken from Chapter 16 of my book, The Prayer-Shaped Disciple (Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, Massachusetts, 1998), and shared here in response to the Asbury University Revival presently in progress, and the need for continued prayer. “Christian history shows a pattern: first concentrated prayer, often prevailing prayer, and then revival. The first Christian revival…
Those who have never been on a church staff or in a volunteer position at church, probably believe that since it is a church, everything goes smoothly and efficiently. Not so. I had submitted my sermon schedule to the worship minister and media personnel, with a specific date for the observance of the Lord’s Supper. …
For five continuous days last week, the temperature was in the 20s, ice and snow was on the ground, roads and trees were covered, and we lived a very non-Texas-like lifestyle, even with “thunder sleet” and frozen fog. I know it’s colder in Canada and the northern U.S. states, but this is a bit unusual…
Last week I attended the second funeral service in one month, both for a long-time good friend and ministry colleague. Time for a few of my favorite funeral quotes: “The song is ended, but the melody lingers on…” Irving Berlin, songwriter. “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” A.A. Milne,…
Several months ago, I was approached by a couple of guys who wanted to feature me in a Podcast. I had been a guest on another’s Podcast, but had very little idea of what it involved. So I checked Wikipedia – “A podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet. . . A…
It’s not a mega-church, nor even a large church. It’s medium-sized church, that has yet to fully recover from the effects of COVID. When the long-term Pastor retired over a year ago, some members were still wearing face masks to worship services. It is a church full of wonderful, loving people, with a great location,…
They are not in the manger scenes of any Christmas cards, nor do we sing about them in Christmas carols, but two senior adults played a prominent role in the story of Jesus’ birth. Simeon (Luke 2:25-35), a devout Jew had prayed that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. When Jesus was…
I had another birthday last week. They seem to be coming more frequently these days. To celebrate, I collected my twenty favorite quotes on birthdays and aging: You know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than the cake. Bob Hope It’s a mere moment in a man’s life between an All-Star Game and an…
No tie, socks, or handkerchiefs for me this Christmas, but several years ago my kids gave me a beautiful Christmas tie, with a small music box inside. When one pushed the button on the lower part of the tie, it played Jungle Bells. I wore the tie on the following Sunday and preached at the…
As I shared a prayer concern for a former colleague, a verse of Scripture came fresh to me and caused me to do some reflecting. The writer of Hebrews encouraged his readers to “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you.” (Hebrews 13:7, NASB). This verse became especially appropriate as I…