Come and Dine (or Die)?
As a young preacher I often listened to Southern Gospel music on Sunday mornings while preparing to go to church. I listened to the Florida Boys, the Inspirations, the Happy Goodmans, and many others. I didn’t have many options back then—I think we got three channels on our black and white television.One song I remember
Nuggets of Gold
Scientists tell us that the Galeras volcano in Columbia, South America has been an active volcano for over 500,000 years. Most of the activity has been small eruptions leaving an occasional dusting of ash on nearby cities. However, after an explosion in 1993, an interesting discovery was made inside the volcano. Dr. Fraser Goff, a
The Waning Influence of Religion
We are living in a day our forefathers of the faith could not have imagined. In a nation founded largely by men who believed in God, it’s hard to explain the secularism of our society. Most historians of our day ignore the influence of the Puritans. They also refuse to even register the fact that
When the Pastor Hurts (Part 2)
Pastors hurt because they care During our Lord’s three years of ministry, He sought to teach His disciples what they needed to know in order to carry on the work after His return to heaven. One of the most difficult lessons in the curriculum was the cultivation of a tender heart, and the record indicates
A Plea for Grace and Truth in Preaching Methods
It was a surprise and liberation to me. Years ago, through the study of men and women in Scripture, history and daily life, I realized an amazing truth: everyone is imbalanced. Look around you and you will discover that there are no exceptions to this maxim. Every effective man I admire is tremendously passionate about
The Pope Is Right
While Baptists have significant areas of disagreement with the Vatican, we share many of the same creedal and moral convictions. Furthermore, we are prudent to identify those areas of consensus and to collaborate with those who share our moral and ethical perspectives whenever we can do so without compromise. Just this week (February 1, 2010),
I Am No Changeling
During the sixteenth century, there was a man who served as a page at the court of King Edward VI by the name of Thomas Hawkes. Thomas was a man noted for his gentle manners, his winsome personality, and his firm faithfulness to Christ. However, when Edward died, the face of religion changed, and those
Twits in Church
Whatever you want to call them, twits or tweets (“I thought I saw a puddy tat…I did, I did see a puddy tat!” Ops, wrong tweet.), I find them distracting. On the other hand, I may end up doing it just to keep up with the six billion people on the planet. I need to
When the Pastor Hurts (Part 1)
“When doesn’t the pastor hurt?” may be your response to this title, but honest reflection will remind you that there are joys in the ministry that more than compensate for occasional times of pain. Seeing sinners come to Christ, helping people mature in the Lord, studying and teaching the Word faithfully, watching God answer prayer,
The Essential Presence
Written by: Bill Elliff And He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to Him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and
Never Give In, Never Give Up!
During the sixteenth century, there was a man who served as a page at the court of King Edward VI by the name of Thomas Hawkes. Thomas was a man noted for his gentle manners, his winsome personality, and for his firm faithfulness to Christ. However, when Edward died, the face of religion changed, and
P Is for Prophet (Part 3)
The Ministry Unless you walk into a crisis that threatens the very life of the church, the wise prophet spends the first year getting acquainted, sensing the dynamics of the church family, identifying the movers and shakers and praying for the sanctified obstructionists. During that year, you make a list of the things that must