I never got into the “Roots” popularity of the 70s – the idea of tracing one’s heritage to places of influence. I never lived anywhere long enough for a place to influence me. My father was a Pastor who assisted with the short average tenure of ministers. We changed churches around every four to five…
After sharing thanks for various things, a friend said to me, “And thank God for God.” Not being familiar with that phrase, I soon went to my Bible to see if it was there. I found lots of phrases that began with “Thanks to God . . .” and “Thanks God for . . .”…
We had a rather unusual prayer sung at our wedding. We selected it because we believed that God had called us to ministry and knew there was biblical proof that when God calls, God also accompanies. Moses was dead. Joshua was the new anointed leader. Three times in Chapter 1, God said to Joshua, “Be…
One popular author wrote of another, “At an age when he should have been enjoying retirement on a beach in Florida, he kept getting on airplanes and flying to places to proclaim a gospel he believes with all his heart. . .” While there is no beach in Florida calling out to me, I do…
Many years ago, on a hot south Texas afternoon, my wife and I both said “I do.” Last week, we celebrated the fact that, we still “do.” In a society that not only allows “no cause divorce” but celebrates it, how can one couple stay together for so long? For one thing, we took our…
Every so often, I hear a word or phrase that I haven’t heard in years. Last week, I overheard someone say, “This, that, and the other.” My grandfather used that phrase often. I assumed it just meant, “Whatever.” It was a catch-all phrase, used when nothing else seemed to fit. Google the term and you’ll…
I received word last week of a second skin cancer surgery in my near future. I’m still recovering from the last surgery in May. The new cancer location is near the first, so there is a possibility that the cancer is spreading. Not good news. I spent an entire day feeling sorry for myself. All…
Recently, I prayed with a former student whose wife delivered their planned and expected child very early in her pregnancy. The baby did not live and they were grieving the loss, trying to understand, yet accepting it as God’s plan. Then I turned on the TV and heard arguments that a woman’s body is her…
Every day, during my prayer time, I pray for my family, my colleagues, a few friends, folks on my prayer list for that day, those who have requested special prayer, but there is one group that is often missing from my prayer list – my enemies. Frankly, I’d rather not pray for them. It would…
Some days I uphold people. It’s part of my calling. However, on other days, I need to be upheld. Let’s start with calling to servanthood. In Isaiah 41:9, God says He has called people from the “ends of the earth” to be His “servants” – that is, to do ministry on His behalf. I first…