OUT TO PASTOR: Nothing like a mystery to calm my nerves

Nothing calms me down more than a mystery when I have a busy week.The other afternoon I got caught up and faced some rather stressful situations.

The dynamics of discipleship (part 46)

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – MARK 14:38There are many doors that allow the devil entrance into ones life but there are five which brought David down.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) – part 2

Good week. Welcome to the “Front Porch.”I am sure I should begin this piece of history in the beginning of the summer of 1973.

OUT TO PASTOR: Who has been fiddling with my mind?

When it comes to music, I am an amateur in many regards.I signed up for a violin class in first grade and took lessons. After about a month, the teacher met with my parents and begged them to pull me from that class.He said, “Out of deep respect for music, this boy should not play the violin.

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?