Storms have been in the news. Even this week, tornadoes touched down in my community. We have watched the effects of Hurricane Florence.
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In 1 Samuel 18 we are introduced to what many call one of the most prolific of all Bible friendships - Jonathan and David. Their friendship illustrates the importance of godly friendship as a Christian leader, pastor, missionary.
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In 1 Samuel 18 we are introduced to what many call one of the most prolific of all Bible friendships - Jonathan and David. Their friendship illustrates the importance of godly friendship.
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n 1973, Spielberg was hired to make a movie based on Peter Benchley's novel about shark attacks called Jaws. The movie was so scary that even to this day millions of Americans panic when they get wind that a shark might be present in their beach area. A persistent shark phobia keeps people away from the beach.
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Christmas is probably not on your mind today. With the heat and humidity, with kids out of school and trips to the beach, Christmas seems a long way off. However, SBC of Virginia churches are to celebrate Christ and share His Gospel all year long. Every season, every day is an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ in a lost world.
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[Note: this is a much longer message than I normally send or post.]
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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).
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Today 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.
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In 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?
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"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
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The 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.
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John Kotter published Leading Change in 1996. Time Magazine has listed it among the 25 most influential leadership books. Here are his eight steps:
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Billy Graham once said, “If I were an enemy of Christianity, I would aim right at the resurrection because it is the heart of Christianity.”
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This 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.
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Jesus 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.
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Of 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.
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The 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)
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“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.
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