One of my favorite passages of Scripture is found in John’s Gospel. In it, Jesus used pastoral language to refer to Himself and His followers. He stated: I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know ...
Growing up, I had the privilege of living in West Berlin, Germany during the Cold War (1981-1986). While in Berlin, my family attended Berlin Baptist Church, an international church whose members came from England, Lebanon, Vietnam, Indonesia, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia, Germany, and Cambodia. Being a part of such a diverse ...
The presidential election has been the focus of attention of numerous Christians in the last few months. Christ-followers on both sides of the aisle post on social media regarding their political views and positions. At times, it seems that these individuals believe if a particular candidate wins the election, there ...
People who know me would tell you that I’m a people person and an extrovert. I am energized by being around other people. I love to interact with them, especially other believers. I spend most of my time in the day around students, faculty, or family members. I’m either teaching ...
In my research for my book on Generation Z entitled, Engaging Generation Z, I was shocked at the number of teenagers who deal with anxiety. There are more students affected by mental health and anxiety issues than in any previous generation. As a pastor, I can also testify that their ...
On this anniversary of the terrorist attack that occurred on September 11, 2001, my thoughts go back to the first responders who rushed towards the Twin Towers and the Pentagon even though the buildings blazed with fire. These men and women did not hesitate to place the lives of their ...
Repentance. It’s a word that is largely absent as I’ve listened to prospective church members share their testimonies with me over the last decade. They mention sin, separation from God, the atoning work of Christ and the subsequent forgiveness it brings, but largely leave repentance out of their stories regarding their “conversion” ...
It seems that social media becomes more and more contentious as we move into an election cycle in our nation. We are a divided country. Lines are drawn and people take sides. Often they respond in unloving ways towards each other. Christ followers are not excluded from communicating ways that ...
Growing up, I attended First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie, Texas. FBCGP is where I trusted Jesus at seven, surrendered to the ministry at fourteen, and got married at twenty-one. Legend has it (it sounds cooler to say it this way because I certainly don't remember this), it was on ...
If there was ever a time the people of the world needed to experience real joy, it’s during these hard and uncertain days of COVID-19. People are scared of catching the virus or transmitting it to a loved one. We do not travel about our communities or interact as freely ...
