Category: 2011 Column

In his lifetime in the 18th century, John Wesley traveled more than 250,000 miles on horseback, preached an average of two or three times a day, totaling more than 40,000 sermons. One of his favorite texts was John 3:7, where Jesus said, “You must be born again.” Wesley was often asked, “Why do you preach … Continue reading Prayer: A Discipline and a Delight

It was dark outside, but I scoffed at the thought in my mind that said, “You should take a flashlight so you can see what you are doing.” That was the logical side of my brain talking. My testosterone spoke up and said, “You don’t need no stinking light! You know where the cinderblocks are … Continue reading You really do need light

I don’t remember which of my sons did this years ago, but I had to laugh when he arrived in the laundry room with a sudden growth on his posterior. The laundry room was where I would administer corporal punishment. The two books my son had stuffed into his pants served as an illustration of … Continue reading Spanking children is really not an optional extra

I can remember many times early in our marriage when money was tight that my wife would pray for things we needed. She would ask God for shoes for one of the kids and I would marvel when someone called the next day to see if she could bring over shoes her kids had outgrown, … Continue reading Prayer is where your life and your God meet

David wrote, “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” Wondrous things? In the Bible? Let’s be honest. Most of the world and a great number in the church do not believe the Bible is anything special. That’s why it sits on their shelves. They have no idea of the riches … Continue reading Are you seeing wondrous things through God’s Word?

It happened during the Korean War. A U.S. soldier in a Chinese prison camp was tortured for days until his mind finally snapped. When it did, the soldier began to quote Scripture, for hours, never the same verse more than once. The Chinese guards marveled at this, one man in particular. When the soldier came … Continue reading What are you hiding in your heart?