What the Televangelists Won’t Tell You

I admit it. I believe in a health and wealth gospel. But not the kind you see on TV. We are all familiar with preachers and televangelists who manipulate their followers into “planting a seed of faith” in order to reap a harvest of wealth in this life. Of course the “seed of faith” is …

She Lives Beyond the Grave

Soon it will be Bryce’s birthday. That means I’m in party-planning mode. I imagine what it would be like if my wife, Jill, was planning his party. (Jill passed away three months after Bryce was born.) I can see her organizational skills going to work –the “invite list” would have been a mile long and …

Learning From Lizards & Forest Gump

Everyone who has seen the movie loves Forest Gump. Yet, I’ve never heard anyone say they wanted to be like Forest Gump. According to the story, Forest inspired Elvis Presley’s dance style. But have you ever heard a choreographer admit to patterning their career after Forest? Later in the movie, Forest played football for Bear …

What is Your Community Mission?

When missionaries are commissioned to plant a church, they are expected to reach the community to which they have been sent. For instance, a missionary sent to a suburb of Omaha, Nebraska is expected to reach the people in that particular area through community engagement. Many times this takes shape as a service project such …

Are You Causing Your Child To Fall?

“Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1). Can you imagine the shock on the disciples faces when Jesus told them that “whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:4)? I imagine the disciples were expecting Jesus to point out someone like Moses, or …

I Kill Flowers

Early in the Spring, I decided to plant some flowers to give my yard some color. I spent an afternoon working in the flowerbeds to get everything “just right.” In the weeks and months afterward I faithfully watered my plants. Fast-forward three months: Last week, I pulled up half of the plants –they were dead …

Churches Discipling Churches

The church where I formerly pastored, Wyatt Baptist Church of El Dorado, Arkansas, is one of the most mission-minded churches I know of. Every year they send a large percentage of church members around the world in partnership with various missionaries. One of the missionary families they partner with is Oscar and Tamy Gaitan of …

A Kingdom Beyond California

Today’s newspaper announced the passing of Annette Funicello, who was best known for her role as one of the original Disney Mouseketeers. Certainly we offer our condolences to her family. After her time as a Mousketeer, Funicello went on to make numerous beach movies with Franki Avalon. Funicello’s brand in the film and television industry …