On Being a Pastor

I love being a pastor.  I’m especially grateful to have pastored Woodland Church for over thirteen years now.  When I was preaching to our congregation Sunday morning I realized just how much life our family has shared with them.  When it came time to serve communion at the end of the message Sunday morning, I…Read more On Being a Pastor

Wendell Berry on Responsibilities and Priorities

"The only thing that a government requirement assures is a prolongation of government supervision." Wendell Berry Tonight I've been reading some essays by Wendell Berry.  Berry is a Baptist conservationist, farmer, professor, poet, novelist and gift to all of us.  I was first introduced to Berry's writings by one of my professors.  He poked the coals…Read more Wendell Berry on Responsibilities and Priorities

Amazing Grace; Eric Metaxas’ Story of William Wilberforce (part two)

If Christianity is just doctrine it affects us, but Christianity is a person, Jesus Christ, and Christ changes us!  Wilberforce loved his enemies as Christ taught us. William Wilberforce’s two great objects   The Repression of Slave Trade The Reformation of the Culture This is part two of my posts about from Eric Metaxas' lecture…Read more Amazing Grace; Eric Metaxas’ Story of William Wilberforce (part two)

Amazing Grace, Eric Metaxas’ Story of William Wilberforce

Eric Metaxas, was a presenter last week at Acton University.  Eric is the author of the New York Times best seller Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy.  It was also named the Book of the Year by the EPCA.  He also wrote another one of my favorite biographies about William Wilberforce entitled Amazing Grace.  He wrote…Read more Amazing Grace, Eric Metaxas’ Story of William Wilberforce

Passionate Followers of Christ Stand on …

One of the first Bible stories I remember was told to me by Kate Holloman.  We called her Sister Kate and boy we loved this wonderful woman.  With a flannel graph (this was long ago and far away) she told us how Jesus told Nicodemus you must be born again.  That's where it all begins…Read more Passionate Followers of Christ Stand on …

Should Marriage be Redefined?

Last week the President, Vice President and Secretary of Education made news by publicly supporting homosexuals and transgender people to be legally married.  Many newspeople from CNN, Fox and NBC as well as newspaper and magazine journalists have said they were not surprised by the President’s support of the homosexual community to have legal marriages. …Read more Should Marriage be Redefined?

Increased Potential

I’ve have always been very proud of my wife and her accomplishments.  Yesterday, I was deeply moved by the faith, dignity and beauty she demonstrated in her Mother’s Day Message, “Increased Potential.”  This afternoon a young woman from our congregation, told me, with her hand over her heart, “Becky’s message touched me deep in my…Read more Increased Potential

Will God forgive Me for Everything I’ve done?

Recently I received a phone call from a friend after visiting with his family.  His brother, a professed existentialist, had said, "I'd like to talk with that man some more."  Soon he became ill and was hospitalized.  I visited with him several times and we just talked.  Either his sister or his girlfriend were always…Read more Will God forgive Me for Everything I’ve done?

How to Overcome Your Weaknesses (part one)

"The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness." Romans 8:26a, NLT Aren't we all grateful for our strengths?  And aren't we all wishing that we didn't have to struggle with our weaknesses.  When I'm asked about overcoming a weakness, always remind people that we all have them. The first step to overcoming your weakness is…Read more How to Overcome Your Weaknesses (part one)

Does the Bible Promise too Much About Healing?

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:4–5, NIV) “When…Read more Does the Bible Promise too Much About Healing?