Faith

Sometimes we who know the Lord personally believe our suffering and trials result from something we’ve done wrong in our lives. That can be the case, but it is not always the reason. The Bible reveals multiple instances when it was just the opposite. The reason for suffering was due to a person’s righteousness and…

David waited for me on Monday morning. He abandoned all formalities and quickly said he was upset over my sermon the day before. “You criticized Ronald Reagan, and I didn’t like it,” he said. “And other people didn’t like it, either.” Since no one else ever talked with me about the matter, I have no…

  One of the newer popular sayings of today aptly describes the situation an Old Testament figure faced several thousand years ago. “What part of ‘no’ don’t you understand” is the saying. The character is Balaam of the Old Testament. Anyone who is familiar with Balaam’s story in the book of Numbers already comprehends precisely…

The late radio teacher, J. Vernon McGee, had a famous line: “When Satan fell, he fell into the choir loft!” This comment may be a bit arcane since contemporary churches may not have a loft or choir, but a “praise team” on stage or platform. But maybe McGee was onto something – at least in…

  Our parents thought they were anarchists and subversives sent across the pond to corrupt our morals – something of a payback for the Boston Tea Party. The Beatles had long hair. They were trend-setters. We teens began to follow suit. The pictures look funny now. I remember one night watching the news with our…

  It is not uncommon to hear people say, “We cannot all understand the Bible alike,” or “it is not possible for everyone to see the Bible alike.” Statements like these are often used in defense of denominationalism; but, are they in harmony with the Word of God? Did God give us a book that…

The Roman god Janus was the god of two faces. A mature face looked back with reflection. A youthful face looked forward with anticipation. How fitting the first month of the year is named for him in the sense that we do both things. I looked back at 2025 in my inaugural sermon this year suggesting…

  Ginger was more than a mere pet to my in-laws. The tiny peekapoo was considered as a family member. She went everywhere with Frank and Linda Lewis. When Frank and Linda were hospitalized two years ago with RSV, Ginger stayed at home and was out of sorts without them there. It was Christmas, and…