Category Archives: Ministry

Self-Preservation & Jesus

Posted on June 19, 2017 by

A man interviewed for a job at a famous art gallery that housed dozens of priceless masterpieces. As part of the interview process, he was asked, “If a fire broke out in this gallery and you could only save one … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Commitment, Courage, Crucifixion, Death, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Human Life, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Preaching, Priorities, Problems, Prosperity, Sacrifice, Service, Submission, Suffering, Trials, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Worship Wars

Posted on June 8, 2017 by

Some years ago I met with the pulpit committee of a certain church about the possibility of me becoming that church’s next pastor. I don’t normally take Tonya along for such meetings, but this committee wanted to meet her as … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Balance, Change, Church, Church Attendance, Doctrine, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Music, Personal, Sunday School, Truth, Worship, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Profound Question

Posted on May 27, 2017 by

A missionary was once asked if he liked his work in Africa. His reply was as follows: Do I like this work? No. My wife and I do not like dirt. We have reasonably refined sensibilities. We do not like … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Choices, Church, Church Attendance, Commitment, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Giving, God's Will, God's Work, Influence, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Prosperity, Sacrifice, Service, Stewardship, Suffering, Sunday School, Witnessing | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Devil You Know

Posted on May 18, 2017 by

A five-year-old boy was visiting his aunt overnight. At bedtime he asked her to leave his door open and the light on in the hall. Surprised, the aunt said, “But why? You’re not afraid of the dark when you are … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, Choices, Christ's Birth, Contentment, Courage, Faith, Fear, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Obedience, Problems, Service, Trusting In God, Worry | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Problem of Deprived Harvests

Posted on May 16, 2017 by

Judges 6:1-6 describes a pitiful situation. An alliance army of the Midianites, the Amalekites, and some other unnamed peoples of the East was absolutely terrorizing the Israelites as the Israelites tried to make their lives in Canaan. These foreign invaders … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Disappointment, Disobedience, Fear, Ministry, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Rebellion, Satan, Sin, Sowing and Reaping, Spiritual Warfare, Suffering, The Devil, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are You a Duck, an Eagle, a Rabbit, Or a Turtle?

Posted on May 8, 2017 by

In his book “Criswell’s Guidebook For Pastors,” W.A. Criswell, the longtime pastor of 1st Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas, offers the following illustration: The animals had a school. The curriculum consisted of running, climbing, flying, and swimming. All the animals … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Contentment, God's Will, God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Spiritual Gifts, Talents | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What Should Have Been

Posted on May 5, 2017 by

I was a little under two years into my first pastorate when one afternoon, as I was driving in my car, I happened to drive past the sign for a certain church in our area. It was a sign that … Continue reading →

Posted in Choices, Church, Counsel, Disappointment, Disobedience, God's Timing, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Obedience, Patience, Personal, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Preaching, Rebellion, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment