“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”Esther 4:14 (NIV) After turning 50 this summer I’ve been thinking that
Year: 2008
Praising God for a spiritual legacy
I was privileged to present a plaque to Willow Branch Baptist Church this past Sunday on behalf of my family. The little church, nestled in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia, is framed by a creek on one side and a gravel road on the other. Traveling out to the church is to experience a kind of
What Jesus builds when we have faith
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter,
Turns out I’m a Momma’s boy
“Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband–how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly
Every boy’s dream
“The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” Judges 6:12 (NLT) When I was a little boy I used to dream of being a great hero. I would daydream that someone broke into the house and I had to save my my mom and siblings from
A passion for mentoring
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV) “Can you speak to our Kiwanis Club meeting this Thursday?” A friend of our ministry phoned to ask. Normally, I’d say no to this kind of
Fresh fireworks
“Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!” (Psalm 51:12 Msg). We’re headed to visit my wife’s family in Virgina this week to celebrate July 4th together. For years we put on a huge fireworks show in their backyard. Both myself and Robin’s dad always bought outrageous amounts of rockets and
The yoke of Christ
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV) Everyone
Responding to threatening times
“Lord, pay attention to their threats now, and allow us to speak your word boldly. Show your power by healing, performing miracles, and doing amazing things through the power and the name of your holy servant Jesus.” When the apostles had finished praying, their meeting place shook. All of them were filled with the Holy
Credit card coveting
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” (Exodus 20:17 KJV) Have you seen the latest credit card commercial? It promotes using a Chase Bank credit card to buy what