I met Jerry and Frances in 2006 when I got a hand written letter in the mail. Frances read my column every week and asked me to come by and talk to her husband about the Lord. Jerry had questions about salvation. That day I had the privilege that every Christ-follower dreams of, to lead … Continue reading Frances knew her shepherd
Tag: discipleship
Many years ago, my older daughter walked into the bedroom to ask an honest question about meal preparation. “Mom,” she said, “What should I use to serenade the chicken?” I couldn’t resist. I suggested, “Hey, good lookin’ whatcha got cookin’?” I know, I’m a wise guy. After we had pointed out that the word is … Continue reading We are raising adults, not children
Hippocrates, the Greek physician from whom we get the Hippocratic Oath, said that there are seven stages of life, and the next to last starts at age 56. He called that person, Old one. And that stage, he said, is marked by perfection of judgment and reason. Hey, all of us over 55 could tell … Continue reading Needed: Spiritually vibrant elders
It was Sunday morning, and the ushers passed the offering plates through the congregation. My great-grandmother, Jessie Hauser, reached for the pocketbook beside her to get her offering envelope. She couldn’t find it. Looking up and seeing the men with the plates getting closer to her pew, Grandma began to get “flustrated,” as she would … Continue reading She gave more than all the rest
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to spend the better part of an afternoon with a good friend of mine. I was flying to Kenya and had a six-hour layover in Detroit. So, my friend came and picked me up at the airport, we found a little cafe close by and had a pleasant … Continue reading Glad father enjoys fruits of his labor
When Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, he stopped to meet with the elders of a church. Not just any church: it was the one in Ephesus, where he had stayed longer than in any other city. There are some vitally important truths we can learn from this meeting that is described in Acts … Continue reading As leadership goes, so goes the church