FIRST-PERSON: When heaven touches earth
After closing our doors for two Sundays due to inclement weather, churches across our community met again this past weekend for what I am sure were powerful gatherings. With so much discouraging news in our world recently, it seems to me that people are hungry for a genuine encounter with the Lord. I am praying that the churches across our nation will see an undeniable visitation from God in the days ahead. A heaven-sent revival is exactly what we need.
FIRST-PERSON: From Creator to Christ: The eternal Word of God
The Bible begins its enlightening discourse with the foundational claim that God created everything by breathing and speaking. Reflecting on this creative activity, orthodox Christians conclude the Lord God made the heavens and the earth by His Spirit and by His Word. God “created” (Genesis 1:1) while His Spirit was “hovering” over the nothingness (v. 2) and His Word “said” things with power (v. 3).
FIRST-PERSON: Prayer is the difference between helplessness and hopelessness
People marked by prayer understand that hopelessness can be avoided. They live with the realization that God can always be found, and as long as He is present, there is hope.
FIRST-PERSON: Younger pastors and legacy churches
We love new things. New clothes, new cars, new shoes. In this new era of college football, schools seem to love finding new coaches, too.
FIRST-PERSON: Who will fund the mission?
A friend recently shared Pew Research data that stopped me in my tracks: Baby Boomers make up only about one-fifth of the population, yet they represent almost half of Southern Baptist church membership.
FIRST-PERSON: Accountability strengthens the mission
Scripture reminds us that those entrusted with responsibility in the Church are not owners, but stewards. The apostle Paul writes that it is required of stewards that they be found faithful (1 Corithians 4:1-2).
FIRST-PERSON: Growing up with nosy adults
Brother Ray was always sticking his nose into my business. He stuck his nose into the business of all my friends, too.
FIRST-PERSON: When silence on racism is deafening
Christians have an opportunity to be a prophetic witness that can expose darkness and called people into the marvelous light. We have an opportunity to show through word and deed that racism is unacceptable in our understanding of the Christian faith.
FIRST-PERSON: When failure no longer surprises us
Moral failure among pastors has become tragically familiar. What is perhaps most revealing is not that it continues to happen – Scripture already assumes the ongoing presence of sin – but that we still seem surprised when it does. Each new story is treated as an unthinkable collapse rather than a sober reminder of how fragile our assumptions about spiritual health can be.
FIRST-PERSON: How much does It cost to follow Jesus?
How much does it cost to know Jesus? Well, it depends.
