As the sun rises on this Easter morning, believers around the world are gathering to worship the One who completely defeated death (and every other enemy of the human soul). Sermons are being preached describing the biblical accounts of a risen Jesus. Each story is an eyewitness testimony of an encounter with a no-longer-dead man… …
Birthed in Revival: Shubal Stearns and the Remarkable Expansion of Baptists in the South
Author's Note: Written in 2011, my purpose for this brief monograph was two-fold. First, I wanted to introduce Shubal Stearns, a pivotal figure in Baptist history, yet someone who is little known outside of academic circles. Second, I wanted to demonstrate the relationship between Stearns and the phenomenal growth of Baptists across the South. Many …
The Beatdown: Runaway Expectations in the Life of a Pastor
Not. One. More. Thing. He was physically tired and emotionally spent. For four years he had done everything he knew to get the church growing again, but with no visible results. He no longer looked forward to preaching. Committee meetings had become gripe sessions. The mounting criticism of his leadership was withering to his soul. …
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LIFE in His Presence
When Jesus steps into the room... If you are blind, you will see; If you are deaf, you will hear His voice; If you are an offender of others, you will love others by seeking their forgiveness; If you are bound, you will be set free; If you are an enemy, you will be reconciled; …
Counting Down to the Christmas Revolution
Looking for a personal devotional you can use for Christmas? I offer this one for FREE... no limits, no lines, and no waiting for a package to arrive! In 2012 following a year of great personal turmoil, I was led to write a devotional reflecting on the revolutionary nature of Christmas... one each day from …
His Cross, My Victory
if His cross is the only victory I experience in this life it is more than enough to satisfy my deepest longings now and for all eternity none of my losses and defeats no matter how painful or shameful to me can withstand the boundless oceans of mercy still flowing from His triumph over the …
Because You Have Been a Warrior
Thank you veteran... for leaving home and enduring hardships; for serving a cause greater than yourself; for seeking the welfare of the weak; for risking your life for the sake of others; for standing up for the freedom of all citizens (no matter whether they value the sacrifice you made for them). Because you have …
My Father (a consuming fire)
The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. Exodus 24:17 ...when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. Luke …
Through Christ I Can
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ~ Philippians 4:13 the abundant life is a constant internal supply flowing from the One who said He came to give it to the ones who would abandon their overloaded lives in order to walk with Him daily through a joyful union and a lingering …
What to Do When Someone Has a Meltdown
One evening during the summer of 2012, I was making a nine-hour drive home after a difficult visit with my father. Lying unconscious for days in a hospital room, he was not expected to live. No one knew when death would come, and I couldn’t wait any longer. I needed to go. Two hours after …
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