A another mass funeral in Syria.  This one (Feb. 26, 2013) in Homs.Which do you think is better... * To choose to attend a funeral?* Or to choose to go to a party?(Yes, I am setting you up!)Well, here's your answer from one of my favorite Bible books:Ecclesiastes 7:2New International Version (NIV)2 It is better toContinue reading "Choices … attend a funeral or a wedding?"

We know from II Corinthians that the Apostle Paul was taken into heaven and given an incredible view.  It was a view, a vision, that few have been afforded.  And yet, he seemed quite reluctant to speak about it most of the time.  In fact, to keep him humble, grounded, and in touch with reality,Continue reading "Want to be TRULY strong in the Lord? Understand your weakness"

Mark Twain once said, “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning  and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”What I need, what you need to do is identify your frog — our absolute worst-case scenario — and  swallow it whole.May God give us courage to swallow the frog.  YouContinue reading "Swallow the frog, baby! We’ve got to do it!"

Today the name of your church changes!!When my daughter was a student at Anderson University in Anderson, IN, she lived in an apartment near Second Chance Baptist Church and walked by it everyday going to class.I felt a strong sense of grace and mercy when I walked by the church.  But you know what?  God'sContinue reading "You don’t get a second chance at today … You get a first chance!"

Drew Hall and Maddie Follis are engaged! (Wedding: 7/06/13)Drew Hall and Maddie Follis are "discussing theology" recently learned at graduate-level Kanakuk Institute, where they are studying this year in Branson, Missouri. When you're engaged and stricken with pre-marital giggling, you "discuss theology" while sitting in the middle of empty railroad tracks.You didn't know that?  Isn'tContinue reading "Best place to “discuss theology” when you are engaged!"

With more than 30,000 denominations in the world, we have plenty of opportunity to pray.  This can be so overwhelming we don't even know where to start.  Wow, have I felt that a lot.Jesus prayed that we would be one, even as He and his Father are one.  Sometimes I think, "My goodness, talk aboutContinue reading "How to pray for the Church"