How should Christians view government? Where do Church and state intersect? When I think of July 4th, Independence Day, freedom, and all that America is, I am drawn to Scripture. One of my favorite teachings is found in Romans 13.1-7. I personally like this reading in the New American Standard. Here is a quick look at the passage and the language that makes it so rich. Romans 13.1: Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there... Read more
On this day last year, Crystal and I drove into Joplin, Missouri. The whole nation had seen glimpses of the devastation caused by the tornado that was six miles long and a mile wide. The twister destroyed one third of the town, razing it to the ground right through the heart of the city. St. John’s Hospital made headline news because the facility was badly damaged. St. John’s Hospital However, nothing we had seen on T.V. could have prepared... Read more
One day, in the fall of 2008, I decided to take a day of solitude. I went to a nearby site with historic buildings and a large flower and plant garden. The purpose was not to enjoy everything, but to quiet myself. As I sat silently in a secluded vantage point in the garden, I was finally still enough inside to hear the voice of God. He ministered deeply to my soul, assuring me that I could trust Him despite... Read more
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4.11-12, New American Standard) The first time I put Ephesians 4.11 together with Ephesians 4.12 was twelve years ago in a college ministry. I realized that college students are versatile and mobile. They are able to work in any... Read more
We all know of the famous boxer Muhammed Ali. But do we know what his name was before he changed it to Muhammed Ali? It was Cassius Clay, named after his father, who was named after a famous abolitionist during the time of the Civil War. The original Cassius Clay lived in Kentucky and decided to spend his political career freeing slaves, as an abolitionist. He owned a lot of land in Madison County, called the Glade. There, he... Read more
Galatians 6.10: Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. We might consider this verse an axiom, an unquestionable truth, or a rule of life. What makes it different than other rules of life? Think about the Golden Rule. Various forms of the Golden Rule are found in many religions throughout time. Other than Christ, Confucius spoke the most famous Golden Rule. A World Religions... Read more
This time of year, we’re all thinking of time: Father Time, New Year’s Resolutions, Bucket Lists, etc. Actually, by this point in the year, we’re often regretting the fact that we’ve already given up on our New Year’s Resolutions. Some of us are participating in special prayer events or fasts that our Churches facilitate at the beginning of each year. With the New Year comes a fresh new start, the possibility of change, and the opportunity to reflect on what... Read more
Matthew 25.31-46 is not in other Gospels, which I believe magnifies the power of the passage more. When a Gospel writer includes an untold story, it’s like unpacking a new truth of Christ. Certainly this story reveals a powerful truth. The truth is that people will be separated based on how they served Christ in life. He’ll say: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless... Read more
When I think of Brazil, I think about the Amazon, piranhas, and the rain forests. I think about the fact that Brazilians speak Portuguese instead of Spanish. I think of Sergio Mendes and all the great music that has come out of Brazil over the years. Neymar, Brazil’s Player of the Year I think of World Cup Soccer. Brazil will host the World Cup in 2014. Brazil has won the World Cup more than any other nation. Currently, there are... Read more
Last week, we were on the road, so the author (Pastor Vernell Ingle) guest lectured on Sunday morning for our Young Adults. Here are some of his reflections: “Singles in the U.S.” He started with these stats * • Singles are defined as adults who have never been married or divorced, or are widowed • 43% of all Americans over 18 are single • 61% of them have never said “I do” • 46% of American households are maintained by a... Read more
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