I do not have an accurate count, but after twenty-two years on the faculty of Southwestern Baptist Seminary and an additional four years as a retired, adjunct professor, I had approximately 5000 students. Recently I have been receiving invitations from some of them to preach in their churches. When there, I am frequently asked about…
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. As I pray for my Pastor this month, I am led to Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica, where he prays that “God will consider you worthy of His calling” (2 Thessalonians 1:11, HCSB). This “calling” began at conversion (according to 1 Thessalonians 4:7) and continued through a…
I just spent a great two-days at my college Homecoming. Most conversations began with “Do you remember . . .” One fascinating discussion centered around the great discoveries made during our freshman year. It set me to reflecting on many great discoveries of my freshman year. The first great discovery and perhaps my greatest, happened…
The Chinese Fortune Cookie said, “A part of us remains wherever we have been.” My first thought was no wonder I’m so tired. I’m spread over all fifty states, every Canadian province and fifty-nine countries. However, a lot of travelers have been to these places and not left any of themselves behind, so the proverb…
I have heard several athletes use an interesting phrase lately – “Pressure is a privilege.” The phrase may have originated from a book title by Tennis great, Billie Jean King. Perhaps the idea was birthed from James 1:12 – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.” We are indeed “blessed” and “privileged” when we…
I have heard several athletes use an interesting phrase lately – “Pressure is a privilege.” The phrase may have originated from a book title by Tennis great, Billie Jean King. Perhaps the idea was birthed from James 1:12 – “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.” We are indeed “blessed” and “privileged” when we…
According to Wikipedia, a benediction “is a short invocation for divine help, blessing, and guidance.” From the earliest, Christians adopted benedictions into their worship, particularly at the end of a service. Such benedictions have been regularly practiced ever since. Perhaps the best known biblical benediction is the one at the end of the tiny book…
As he admitted to a wrongdoing, the young man said, “I just couldn’t control myself.” Self-control is a difficult thing. It has to do with discipline, and discipline is hard. We live in an out-of-control society and If you don’t discipline yourself, someone else will control you. Thus the importance of self-control. It is similar…
It is finally healing – the scar left following my ninth skin cancer surgery, and it’s not my mother’s fault. I remember my mother often telling me that if I was going to play outside, I needed to wear a hat. No way! Sissies wore hats. Many decades later, I am paying for my disobedience,…
After he confessed a sin in which he had been caught, the student seated across my desk, shrugged his shoulders, and with a sigh, exclaimed, “Oh well, God has forgiven me!” While I could not disagree with him, in regard to the possibility of God’s forgiveness, I could assure him that, even though forgiven, he…