After wrapping up the conference at Word of Life yesterday morning, we made our way to the Albany airport. From there we flew to New York and then on to Chicago. Our plane came in over Lake Michigan after sundown, giving us a spectacular view of the lights of downtown Chicago. The whole region is blanketed with six inches o …
I am writing this note from Word of Life Inn in Schroon Lake, New York. Marlene and I have been here since Friday night for the Local Church Ministries Annual Staff Conference. I’ve spoken twice, Marlene spoke to the ladies, and we did a Q&A together. Later today I speak to the men. After I give my final message t …
I received word from a friend that Shirley Banta died late Saturday night. A year after Shirley’s husband, a Southern Baptist preacher, died in 1968, she moved to Oak Park to become church secretary at Calvary Memorial Church under the leadership of Pastor Bob Gray. Shirley served through the remainder of Pastor Gray& …
I have been pondering this question ever since my meeting with four pastors in Birmingham last Sunday night. Although this topic didn’t come up specifically, something was said that made me start wondering who is the most influential pastor in America. It’s a fun exercise if you are into that sort of thing (and …
“Nothing would be done at all if a man waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault with it.” Cardinal John Henry Newman
Last night I encountered a bit of divine serendipity. After the opening session of the conference at Word of Life, a young man came up to me and thanked for a sermon I preached a few years ago on John 9, the story of Jesus and the man born blind. When he heard the sermon, he said to himself, “That’s my story.” In the …
Between now and December 25, Berean Bible Fellowship Church of Stroudsburg, PA will conduct a simple “Christmas Survey” as a means of engaging others in spiritual discussions. Pastor Davis Duggins says, During the Christmas season, many people are more open to spiritual issues. We want to respond to their openness by distri …
At the moment we are sitting in the Tupelo airport, getting ready to fly to Atlanta and then to Albany, NY. We’re on our way to a conference at Word of Life in Schroon Lake, high in the Adirondack Mountains. We’ll be there today through Wednesday, then it’s on to Chicago for some KBM home meetings. What gr …
C.S. Lewis once said that his favorite sound was hearty male laughter. I’ve been thinking about that since last Sunday night when I drove to Birmingham to meet with four pastors:Buddy Gray of Hunter Street Baptist Church in Birmingham.
Ryan Whitley of CrossPoint Church in Trussville.
John Thweatt of the First Baptist …