One of the most challenging verses in the Bible is when Jesus asks “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36,37) Jesus, I believe, is appealing to our logic. He is asking us to […] Read more

Thomas Merton was a highly regarded American Trappist monk, author, and theologian. He once said, “If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I think I am living for, in detail, and ask me what […] Read more

I recently came across a compelling book that explores how forty prominent scientists and academics came to believe in God. Among them was Dr. Malcolm Cutchins, a distinguished aerospace engineering professor who spent 33 years teaching at Auburn University. Renowned for his technical expertise and dedication to education, Dr. Cutchins received numerous awards for both […] Read more

I think most of you know I have worked in a men’s ministry for the last twenty years. In my past blogs I have written a good bit about my concern for men’s mental, emotional, and psychological health. There seems to be a number of causes for this. The noted American historian, Daniel Boorstin, offers […] Read more

I was recently speaking on the issue of sacrifice. Most people don’t really like the idea of sacrificing because they believe it is all about giving up something that is of value to them. However, consider the proper definition of sacrifice: “The forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of something of greater value.” […] Read more

Easter brings to mankind a powerful sense of hope for the future. I share this because there seems to be a sense of hopelessness pervading our country today. I have read a great deal about the disturbing rise of deaths of despair (drug overdoses and suicide) among our younger generation. In a New York Times […] Read more

For the past twenty years, we’ve held a Good Friday breakfast at the Country Club of Birmingham. Years ago, one of the attendees brought a friend. Afterward, the guest remarked, “The minister at my church never talks about the things that Richard talks about.” I believe he was referring to the harsh realities of the […] Read more

Every quarter I like to share quotes that I have encountered in my reading and research that have been meaningful to me. I call them “Nuggets of Wisdom.” ***** “When you look at people who are eager to learn more, you can bet they are on the right track. And when you talk to people who […] Read more

One of the most troubling conditions in man is spiritual apathy. This is when a person exhibits indifference to spiritual truth or the pursuit of a relationship with God. It represents a state of emotional or intellectual disinterest in God. What people don’t realize is that spiritual apathy, if allowed to take root, often leads […] Read more

Recently I read these words in John 12:37 where we are told, “Even after Jesus had performed all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in Him.” I have always been intrigued by how people arrive at their beliefs, particularly their beliefs about God and spiritual reality. I remember speaking with […] Read more