The dynamics of discipleship (part 32)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, to proclaim liberty to the captives.” – LUKE 4:18There are many forms of captivity in the Bible, enslavement, bondage and imprisonment to various kinds of masters.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: Thanksgiving is... well... it’s Hallmark in real life

Welcome, friends, to the “front porch.”I don’t know how many times I have told you that Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that stays with you the way that the turkey and dressing from that most notable Thursday does.

OUT TO PASTOR: If only I would take notes

As a writer, I always have a small notebook in my shirt pocket to take notes when I have an idea. I don’t have too many ideas, so I want to write down any I get so I don’t forget them. That has helped me out on many occasions.There is one exception.

The dynamics of discipleship (part 31)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to heal the brokenhearted.” – LUKE 4:18As the old song says, “Only love can break a heart and only love can mend it.”True, true, but the only love that can mend our hearts is the love of Jesus.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: Preacher Miller sure did learn to walk the walk

Welcome, friends, to the “front porch.”In August of 1997, we started writing for my hometown paper in LaGrange, Georgia. We are currently celebrating our twenty-fifth year of sending columns and stories back home.

OUT TO PASTOR: A day trip in the “Sissy Van”

Last week was the first anniversary of my heart attack.My celebratory plan was to go to McDonald’s for a double cheeseburger, large fries, and a chocolate milkshake.I tried to keep my plan secret, at least from someone in the house, but I failed most miserably.

The dynamics of discipleship (part 30)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: Nothing like that childlike wonder

Welcome, friends, to the “front porch.”Kids have something that most adults only dream about.It’s what we call “childlike wonder.”Childlike wonder is a child stepping up to home plate in the bottom of the ninth, two outs, bases loaded, down by three. And two strikes.

OUT TO PASTOR: The great divide – between brain and tongue

As my Uncle Fred used to say, one of the great benefits of getting old is that you know everything.If you had ever met Uncle Fred, you would easily conclude that he certainly wasn’t getting old.

The dynamics of discipleship (part 29)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.” – LUKE 4:18As disciples of Christ, we too are anointed to preach the good news to the poor of this world. Problem being, most want to preach to the rich who for the most part don’t need God.