SPEAKING TRUTH: I doubt you REALLY believe in God

 83% of U.S. adults believe in God, according to a Pew Research article published this year.Despite numbers declining over the decades, it is still very high.During 30+ years of ministry in rural areas throughout the Great Plains, I have met many people who are a part of the 83%.

OUT TO PASTOR: How much fun is too much?

 If you don’t have any fun in life, what is the purpose?I know life is more than just having fun, but there is a place for fun in our daily lives.Everyone has their idea of what fun is, and we don’t always agree on that.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 96

 Dixie greeted us as we stepped into the back door with a “I can’t believe ya’ll were out there killing yourself in that rain,” her beautiful Southern twang serving as the ultimate antithesis to the jawing and grunting that had just transpired thirty feet away out on the court.

SPEAKING TRUTH: Admit it. None of us are good enough

 Jesus once told a story about two men who went to pray.One was a high standing religious man, while the other was a despised tax collector that had extorted money from many.

OUT TO PASTOR: Swimming in an ocean of pills

 I have a confession to make.I never realized that the older I get, the more difficult life seems to be.Oh, for those good ole days.As a young person, I thought that when I got older, all of my problems would be solved.At the time, I didn’t know all the problems I was going to face in life.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 95

 The scene of the raging waters of the Jordan, the sermon Preacher Harvey preached to overflowing crowds across the country on many sweltering summer nights, and, naturally, the serene arm-in-arm crossing of that stormy bridge with Corrina – they all passed through my mind again as I looked out...

OUT TO PASTOR: I didn’t have Google... I had Grandma

 It was Thursday, and as usual, I was busy working on weekend projects.My biggest project, of course, was my Sunday sermon.Most people don’t understand the amount of hard work that goes into preparing a Sunday sermon.And I work hard.I was spending time researching some ideas on Google.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 94

 Driving home from Corrina’s that night, I wished I could have heard Mama’s speech; but I knew that it had to be between two godly women – one just entering womanhood and the other looking back for one of the last times in her life.But Mama had to do more than look back.

OUT TO PASTOR: Is that my grandfather’s hand?

 This past week, I thought of my maternal grandfather.I’m not sure what inspired me to think about my old grandpa. I haven’t thought of him for a long time because he died over 50 years ago.As a youngster, I used to spend summers with him on his farm.

FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: This life story begins in 1973 (kind of) part 93

 Those memories flashed back that Monday on the job as soon as I heard the opening music of Vicki Lawrence’s song, and they made me feel good, at least initially.But the further she got into the song, the tone and tragedy of the song hit me, and I had to find a place where the boys couldn’t see me.