Unstringing the bow

“‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place” (Mark 6:31-32 NIV). According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at

Sharing our singing heritage

My brother, Barry, was visiting us in Wilson this past July 4th weekend. It was great having he and his family with us. I always ask him to sing when he visits. Our WCC family loves to hear him. When I asked him to sing, he said, "Let's do one of the old Willow Branch Quartet

Tuned for worship

“My harp is tuned …” (Job 30:31 NIV). When we started our last day at the Saddleback Worship Conference I prayed that Stephen would receive extra encouragement. Sometimes, being at a conference like this actually overwhelms you. So, I wanted God to let Stephen know His affirmation. The day began with a great talk from

Learning new songs

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God” (Psalm 40:3 NIV). We’re having a great time this week at the Saddleback Worship Conference! I’m really proud of Stephen and our WCC worship band for having been selected to play this year at one of the venues. I wish

One prayer continues

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent

My father’s twin

“…you do not have many fathers…” (1 Corinthians 4:15 NIV). My father was an identical twin. My grandparents named them Claude and Clyde. My grandmother said they were always close. They used to sleep in the crib with their arms around each other. As though they weren’t already carbon copies in appearance, my grandmother used

Experiencing God’s blessings for 30 years

“How happy are those who fear the Lord— all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor… How rich your life! Your wife will be like a fruitful vine, flourishing within your home. And look at all those children!  There they sit around your table as vigorous and healthy as young olive trees. That

Move that bus!

“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 NIV). “Move that bus!” Shouts Ty Pennington, host of ABC’s show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Ty

Making room for singleness

“Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am… I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:8, 35 NIV). As we’ve been

Unmade beds and unreconciled relationships

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:26, 32 NIV). Slam…stomp, stomp, stomp… slam! “What in the world?” I asked my wife, after hearing what sounded