In the parable of the unforgiving servant found in Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus gives a striking illustration of the power of compassion. The king’s compassion toward the servant who owed him is stunning because his mercy is so undeserved. The word that Jesus chooses to describe the king’s compassion toward the indebted servant is the most... Continue Reading →
The Greatest Word Ever Spoken
On the cross Jesus gave seven statements, all of which are important, but perhaps none are as important as his last. “Jesus knew that His mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture He said, ‘I am thirsty.’ A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it... Continue Reading →
Theological Reflections on COVID-19
Suddenly we are living in a very strange world, a place that we don’t recognize. The baseball fields are empty, malls are closed, restaurants are bringing your food to the car and we find ourselves digging in our closets for that do-it-yourself haircut product (Flowebee) we purchased back in the 90’s. Many of the things... Continue Reading →
Church Member: Are You Unintentionally Killing Your Church?
When I was a little boy there was a kid that lived in my neighborhood who stopped by the house one day to show me the new kittens that his cat recently delivered. With excitement he took each of the kittens out of the basket he carried proudly showing them to me. In the weeks... Continue Reading →
Are you also going to leave?
From that time many of his disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Are you also going to leave?" John 6: 66-67. A couple of months ago the Christian world was stunned when a string of pastors and church leaders made public announcements regarding their intention of... Continue Reading →
I want to be like Harry…you should too!
Take time to read this article concerning the story of Harry, the young slave who gave his own life to save the students of Howard College and secure the future of Samford University!
“As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, give them a warning from me.” Ezekiel 33:7
Around midnight on October 15, 1854 the students of Howard College, now Samford University, lay in their beds asleep. No one knows how the fire started but in a matter of minutes the only dorm on campus was engulfed in flames. The first person to notice was a 23 year old slave named Harry. He was employed by the college as a janitor and had a meager room in the 4 story dorm. Without regard for his own safety he rushed upstairs to awaken the sleeping students. As he raced toward the rooms someone grabbed him and told him to leave or he would be overtaken by the flames to which Harry responded, “not before I wake…
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What David Platt Taught Us
On Sunday June 2nd as Pastor David Platt was near the end of the 1:00PM worship service at the McLean Bible Church in Virginia something very unusual took place. He received word that the president of the United States was on his way to the church. With the tragic events of the previous week in... Continue Reading →
Confessions of an Adoptive Parent
This summer marks my ninth year as an adoptive parent. The summer of 2010 was such an exciting time for our family as we boarded a plane heading to the Far East. That trip would change our lives forever but I am unsure that any of us, including our adopted son, understood the challenges that... Continue Reading →
Having a Sustained Joy for the Journey: Being vs. Doing
Being a follower of Christ is a journey and too many followers sit as abandoned cars on the side of the road to heaven simply because they either lost faith or the joy of the journey. As believers in Christ, God has saved us for eternity but has not immediately taken us to our eternal... Continue Reading →
Waiting on the Walls to Fall
Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. And the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor…” (Joshua 6:2) For years the people of God were strangers and sojourners, living in a foreign... Continue Reading →