West Franklin Family, The Bible’s pretty clear: God’s children are to love one another. Not just say it. Actually do it. Love, as you well know, is a verb. Verbs mean action. I felt like I was able to actually, really, love one of you this week. It happened because this person was extremely vulnerable. This person let me see inside. This person put it all out on the table. Some of it was pretty. Some of it was due… Read more
West Franklin Family, I love coffee. Always have. Ever since the day my dad’s dad poured this little boy a cup and let me add the sugar (as much as I wanted) I have never been the same. At first, I could care less what was in the cup. Folgers. Maxwell House. Taster’s Choice. Didn’t matter. As long as I could add sugar and milk – I was good. Later on I became a Starbucks snob. It was all I… Read more
One of the most hilarious verses in the entire Bible is John 12:10. Yeah. The religious guys were so threatened by the resurrected Lazarus that they made plans to kill him. They wanted him dead. . . again. I mean, really guys? You would think they could come up with something better than that. The man had already died once. Jesus – the real One they were threatened by – could just raise him up again, and get more followers!… Read more
West Franklin Family, I have been known to poke fun of Arkansas, a state I lived and pastored in for nearly 10 years. It’s unfortunate. Though some of the stories and stereotypes are true, were it not for Arkansas. . . well, I don’t want to think about it. MUCH of who I am and who we are (as the Pearson family) is due to wonderful Arkansas influence. Sometime around 2008, God called Katie and I to adopt a child… Read more
We don’t know much about the man Lazarus. What we do know is he was a good friend of Jesus. He got very sick. He died. He was in a tomb for four days. Jesus raised him from the dead. He had dinner with Jesus post-resurrection. His new life caused a religious stir. But about the man himself? We don’t know much. I would love to know more details than what is in the biblical account. I know and believe… Read more
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.” (John 11:5-6) You probably know how the story ends. Jesus ended up raising Lazarus from the dead four days post-mortem. But does it strike you as odd that after hearing his friend was sick, Jesus stayed where he was two full days? And if that’s not weird enough, John tells us he stayed – refusing to go… Read more
West Franklin Family, A unique thing happened to me this week. It’s happened before, but it’s been a while. To be honest, it is unfortunate (a) that it is unique; and (b) that it has been a while. One of you came to my office in the middle of the week and confessed a sin. You were crying. You were scared. You were ashamed. You were upset. You weren’t sure – really – why you were there. But you let… Read more
Father, This morning, I read an explosive statement from John’s Gospel. It was if John mentioned it in passing. The implications of it, however, are massive. In what is an almost parenthetical statement, John comments on something Caiaphas said about Jesus. John wrote that something Caiaphas said was actually a prophecy about Jesus. And the prophecy was that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to… Read more
Father, In three days, our nation will elect a new President or re-elect the current one. I don’t have to tell you that things have been pretty crazy around here. Division. Name calling. Hateful opinions expressed everywhere. Fear. Rage. Doomsday feeling. Gloom. I cannot imagine what it all does to Your heart. As the first Tuesday in November rushes upon us, please hear my prayer for West Franklin. Would you grant, by Your Spirit, to help us hold a healthy… Read more
Father, I read this morning where Your Son ministered to Mary and Martha when their brother Lazarus died (John 11). That entire chapter is rich with insight for us in how You interact with us. When the disciples were confused, Your Son patiently navigated them through their questions. When they misunderstood, Jesus didn’t condemn or belittle them. When Mary and Martha were grieving, John tells us He was deeply moved in His spirit and troubled. We are told He actually… Read more
