Remember the old adage, 'Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me'. One of the earliest citations of it is from an American periodical, The Christian Recorder, March 1862. I appreciate the sentiment, but words can do some damage too (in my opinion).
Read MoreToday is the National Day of Prayer in the US. The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988, the law was unanimously amended by both the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on Thursday, May 5, 1988, designating the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer. Every president since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.
Read MoreIn Matthew 5:9, The Lord Jesus tells us that blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God. Yet, a Harvard study said that in the United States conflict is synonymous with congregation. My guess is that you didn’t need a Harvard study to tell you that conflict is part of church life. Alfred Poirier acknowledges that conflict is a reality in church life and it impacts pastors and their families. “Christ is the reason many enter the pastorate. Conflict is the reason many leave.” How can we respond?
Read More"There are many important tasks for the leader. Planning, vision casting, team building, communicating, and policy making are important responsibilities for an effective leader. But Christian leadership is spiritual work..." - Dave Earley
Read MoreThe word integrity is rooted in the word “integer” – which means whole, complete or undivided. As a Christian, I am to consistently apply biblical principles in character and action.
Read MoreJohn Kotter published Leading Change in 1996. Time Magazine has listed it among the 25 most influential leadership books. Here are his eight steps:
Read MoreBilly Graham once said, “If I were an enemy of Christianity, I would aim right at the resurrection because it is the heart of Christianity.”
Read MoreThis year Easter Sunday is on April 1st. So, you probably also know that many people call April 1st, April Fool’s Day. You may also know that some think preaching about and worshipping Jesus is foolish.
Read More“March Madness” is upon those of us who are basketball fans. So for fun, I thought I would share legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden’s “Pyramid of Success” today. Interesting thoughts to ponder as you watch your favorite team…
Read MoreJesus called his disciples to become fishers of men. It’s no surprise: the men he called were professional fishermen. He took men who loved to fish for fish and guess what? They soon loved to fish for men.
Read MoreOf course, I am sure you know yesterday was Valentine's Day. I left a series of meetings in Texas to return home in time to be with my wife and our younger two children. As the plane landed I then heard the news about the horrific situation in Broward County, Florida. You don't need me to rehash the news story. However, I could not help but think about my son's high school and to identify with parents across our nation.
Read MoreThe Lord Jesus taught His disciples about being leaders that serve. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” (Mark 9:35-37)
Read MoreSome years ago a Christmas card pictured a world into which Christ had not come. A pastor studying for his Christmas sermon fell asleep studying in his home early on Christmas morning.
Read More“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” So reads the opening line of Charles Dickens’ famous novel A Tale of Two Cities. Perhaps there are times in ministry when we might identify with Dickens’ sentiment.
Read MoreBut you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Read MoreI pray that we will clearly stand together in calling racism and hatred wrong and evil. Just as we have clearly and continually stated our stance for biblical inerrancy, we stand against and must be steadfast in opposing the heresy of racism.
Read MoreMy paternal grandfather became a follower of Christ as a senior adult. He heard the Gospel, and repented of his sins, and trusted Christ for salvation. A few years later, I was visiting with him at his home in North Carolina. He had a Bible sitting on his desk. He looks over at me and asks, “I was reading my Bible, and read that two and half Israelite tribes did not want to cross the Jordan but wanted to stay where they were. Why?”
Read MoreA sports headline in a national newspaper this morning says that the Golden State Warriors are deeper than Curry and Thompson. Last night’s game showed that reality....
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