In the 1992 vice presidential debate, James Stockdale opened his remarks by asking, “Who am I? Why am I here?” The audience laughed, but his questions were (and are) serious. They concern identity and mission, respectively. This new year, many pastors are … Continue reading The Flourishing Pastor | Book Review
Today is Abraham Lincoln’s 211th birthday, in honor of which, according to the custom of my blog, I re-post this post about Lincoln’s religious beliefs, such as they were. Enjoy! ***** In 1920, William E. Barton published The Soul of Abraham … Continue reading The Creed of Abraham Lincoln in His Own Words | 2020 Edition
Christendom possesses an embarrassment of riches when it comes to poetry about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. One of my favorite modern poems is John Updike’s “Seven Stanzas at Easter,” which revels in the realism of Christ’s rising, opposing a merely spiritual or metaphorical depiction of that great event. Enjoy! ***** Make no mistake: if He rose at all it was as His body; if the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle, the Church will fall. It was not as the flowers, each soft Spring recurrent; it was not as His Spirit in the … Continue reading Seven Stanzas at Easter | John Updike
The first Friday of March is always World Day of Prayer. Over at InfluenceMagazine.com, I commemorate the day with an extended meditation on the truth that God always answers our prayers. ***** God always answers our prayers, but not necessarily the way we want Him to. He has our best interests in mind. So, sometimes He says “Yes,” sometimes “No,” sometimes “Wait,” and sometimes — frankly — “Grow up!” Let’s take a look at each answer, starting with “Yes.” Yes James 5:13–18 says this about prayer: Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing … Continue reading God Always Answers Our Prayer | World Day of Prayer
I had the privilege of speaking at my home church, Central Assembly of God, today. My pastor, Dr. Jim Bradford, is doing a series on the Minor Prophets, and he asked me to preach about Micah. I titled my message “Hopeful Indictment.” Take a listen! Continue reading Hopeful Indictment: The Message of Micahu
Today, over at InfluenceMagazine.com: Chris Colvin suggests five habits for getting out of the ministry bubble. Mike McCrary offers four suggestions about how to finance your church plant. Mike is a friend and new colleague at the Assemblies of God … Continue reading Thursday’s Influence Online Articles
In 1920, William E. Barton published The Soul of Abraham Lincoln, a now classic study of the development of Lincoln’s faith. “Lincoln’s religious was an evolution,” Barton wrote, “both in its intellectual and spiritual qualities.” Lincoln’s religious identity seems to … Continue reading Lincoln’s Creed
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here’s the hymn attributed to that Christian saint… I bind unto myself today The strong Name of the Trinity, By invocation of the same, The Three in One and One in Three. I bind this day to me for ever. By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation; His baptism in the Jordan river; His death on Cross for my salvation; His bursting from the spicèd tomb; His riding up the heavenly way; His coming at the day of doom;* I bind unto myself today. I bind unto myself the power Of the great love of … Continue reading Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Make no mistake: if He rose at all it was as His body; if the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle, the Church will fall. It was not as the flowers, each soft Spring recurrent; it was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled eyes of the eleven apostles; it was as His Flesh: ours. The same hinged thumbs and toes, the same valved heart that — pierced — died, withered, paused, and then regathered out of enduring Might new strength to enclose. Let us not mock God … Continue reading “Seven Stanzas at Easter” by John Updike
I drive a 2003 Honda Element. It has an auxiliary jack for a 3.5 mm plug. Back in the day, this made it possible for me to run a cable from my iPod to my car stereo system. Unfortunately, that’s all the jack could do. While shopping Amazon for a cable (I lost the one I originally bought), I came across this Belkin product and thought I’d give it a try. It solves several problems at once: (1) I can play songs from my iPhone 6 Plus through my car stereo system using Bluetooth. (2) I can simultaneously recharge my … Continue reading Review of Belkin Hands-Free Bluetooth Car Kit
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