Stairway to Heaven?

In the 4th century, a set of marble stairs known as the Scala Santa were transported from Jerusalem to Rome. What is so special about these steps that someone would go to such trouble? The Scala Santa are the stairs upon which Christ stood before Pilate. Over the centuries, the Catholic Church has granted indulgences …

Why Gay Bashing Betrays Christ

I have quite a few friends who are gay. Often, as I scroll through social media, I will stop to read something one of them has posted. I cringe when they re-post and comment on a Christian article condemning homosexuality. My frustration is not over declaring homosexuality is a sin. That is a biblical statement …

Why I Never Scheduled a Revival

As a pastor, church members would occasionally ask, “Why don’t we have revivals?” To which I would sometimes answer, “I don’t know, but I wish God would send one soon –don’t you?” Of course, I knew what they were really asking. “Why don’t we have a series of services set aside each year for preaching …

Are Missionaries Unbalanced?

I recently came across this article by T. Norton Sterrett. It made an impact on me and I wanted to share: Are missionaries unbalanced? Of course, they are. I am one; I ought to know. A missionary probably began as an ordinary person. He dressed like other people, and liked to play tennis and listen …

Why You Must Embrace Your Limits

A friend of mine spent years as a high-school counselor. One day, a senior girl came into her office crying. She told my friend that her mom wouldn’t let her attend the college of her dreams. Even though she had been offered a scholarship for her high GPA and test scores, the remainder of tuition …

When Reading the Bible Isn’t “Safe”

It is exciting to watch my son learn to read. From road signs to menus, magazine ads to library books, Bryce loves to “sound it out” and declare his new knowledge to everyone (mispronunciations and all) However, his learning progress is really keeping me on my toes. In the past, ordering at a restaurant was …

Dual Discipleships

The Bible describes two discipleships: human & divine. Human discipleship takes place as one human disciples another human. When we make statements like, “Joe discipled me,” or “I’m discipling Kristy,” we are referring to human discipleship. Divine discipleship takes place between Christ and man. We refer to Christ’s discipleship when we talk about “following Christ,” …

Road Trip: Poplar Bluff, MO

Beyond the Arkansas boarder, the foothills of Southeast Missouri are beautiful. Recently I traveled up Highway 67 to visit the congregation of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. Pastor Matt Johnson serves bi-vocationally. More and more, I am becoming convinced that bi-vocational ministry is not a limitation –but an opportunity (to learn more read …

Are You Offended?

Quick…think of something you can do that won’t  “offend” somebody!  Having trouble?  No matter what you do, it seems like there is someone who takes “offense” to your actions -or do they? Perhaps our culture’s tendency to “look out for #1” has caused us to stretch the meaning of the word “offend.” The dictionary describes …