Category Archives: Influence

Why I Don’t Fill Out a NCAA Bracket

Well, it’s March, which means that a whole bunch of people will be enjoying the games of the NCAA basketball tournament. We don’t call it “March Madness” for nothing! For many people, half the fun of the tournament is trying … Continue reading

Posted in Christ's Birth, Christ's Death, Current Events, Disappointment, Doing Good, Fear, Gambling, God's Will, God's Work, Human Life, Humor, Influence, Ministry, Personal, Salvation, Service, Sports, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

John Wesley’s Pound Notes

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (Titus 3:8, N.K.J.V.) The … Continue reading

Posted in Doing Good, Encouragement, Giving, God's Guidance, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Money, Needs, Service | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Incident on a School Bus

During some of my college years, I had a part-time job driving a school bus for elementary and middle school students. Since I myself hadn’t been a kid for a while, that job served to remind me just how cruel … Continue reading

Posted in Character, Children, Doing Good, God's Work, Influence, Mercy, Ministry, Personal, Service, The Sermon On The Mount, The Tongue | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Rebuked & The Rebuker

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools. (Ecclesiastes 7:5, N.K.J.V.) …Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. (Proverbs 9:8, N.K.J.V.) …a scoffer does not listen … Continue reading

Posted in Church, Counsel, Courage, Criticism, God's Work, Honesty, Influence, Ministry, Personal, Preaching, Sports, Truth, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Micah’s “Church” (part 2 of 2)

As we pick back up with our story, the young Levite named Jonathan has just been hired to serve as the priest of the “church” that Micah has set up at his home. This “church” is a shrine Micah has … Continue reading

Posted in Choices, Church, Disobedience, God's Will, God's Work, Idolatry, Influence, Ministry, Preaching, Temptation, Trusting In God, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Job’s Wife & Her Tongue of Fire

The book of Job consists of 1,070 verses and 42 chapters. First, chapters 1 and 2 feature conversations between God and Satan. Second, chapters 3 through 31 feature conversations between Job and Eliphaz, Job and Bildad, and Job and Zophar. … Continue reading

Posted in Communication, Complaining, Criticism, Influence, Marriage, The Tongue | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Changed Heart

Each year at this time thousands of people participate in Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree program. The names of the children of inmates are placed as “angel ornaments” on Christmas trees in churches, businesses, and shopping malls. Along with each name … Continue reading

Posted in Bible Study, Change, Children, Christmas, Christmas Traditions, Doing Good, God's Word, God's Work, Grace, Influence, Ministry, Missions, Motherhood, Restoration, Salvation, Scripture, The Gospel, The Heart | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus & Nazareth

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” (Mark 6:4, N.K.J.V.) With the exception of the times when I was attending Appalachian State … Continue reading

Posted in Christ's Miracles, Doing Good, Evangelism, Family, Friendship, God's Work, Individuality, Influence, Leadership, Ministry, Pastors, Personal, Preaching, Service, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Do Sequoia Trees Have to Do with Christians?

Many times, I have ended a conversation with some fellow Christian by saying, “I’ll pray for you, and you pray for me.” As you might guess, these words have come at the end of talks in which we’ve shared our … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Unity, Communication, Friendship, Influence, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Problems, Seeking Advice, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Turning the Other Cheek

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to … Continue reading

Posted in Attitude, Character, Choices, Discipleship, Doing Good, Extending Forgiveness, Influence, Persecution, Personal, Revenge, Sports, The Sermon On The Mount | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment