The dynamics of discipleship (part 45)

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” – I PETER 5:8The devil is a skilled hunter seeking an easy kill and just as a lion lurking in the weeds he looks for the weak, the young and the infirmed.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) – part 1

Good week. Welcome to the “Front Porch.”A very good day to all my friends and loyal readers in my great hometown of LaGrange, Georgia and beyond.Through the years – twenty-five and counting – we have rehearsed life’s events past and present with a glimmer-in-the-eye look toward the future.

OUT TO PASTOR: Relaxing is really not... always so relaxing

For the past several weeks months, I’ve been busy with many projects to complete.Finally, I finished my latest manuscript and sent it in; all the other projects were also finished.That afternoon, I sat back in my office chair and sighed deeply, appreciating the moment.

The dynamics of discipleship (part 44)

“Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.

SPEAKING TRUTH: Doing good for the right reasons

“Is it not right to help the needy? It is not good to go to church and to pray? Sure it is! Jesus commands us to, but He also warns about doing them in order to be seen by others.”Have you seen pictures of athletes, elected officials or other celebrities serving meals for the homeless?

OUT TO PASTOR: If I’m not crazy, nobody is

Last Sunday, we were driving to our Sunday morning church service and encountered a lot of crazy drivers.As The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage was driving, I kept my cool and – more importantly – my mouth closed.Every once in a while, she would say, “What’s wrong with these crazy drivers?

The dynamics of discipleship (part 43)

Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

SPEAKING TRUTH: Responding with honor. Resisting retaliation

But how does God say we should respond when someone wrongs us? His Word tells us to “never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.

OUT TO PASTOR: Another celebration in the bank

This month, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I celebrate the 52nd anniversary of our engagement.And in August, it’ll be the 52nd anniversary of our wedding.I can’t believe we have been together for 52 years. But, alas, here it is.

The dynamics of discipleship (part 42)

Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him: “There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds.