Here are the most popular blog entries of 2008. Politics and church life kept the waters stirred up all year long. Comments are still open on all of these entries. 1) Should Pastors Endorse Candidates from the Pulpit? Not surprising that in an election year, this drew the most comments. Not everyone agreed with my answer. 2) Sleepi…
A friend sent me a note that ended with these words:I pray that God would bless you, your family, and your ministry in a supernatural way in 2009!I like that so much that I decided to pass it along as my prayer for all our friends around the world in the coming year. …
Last night I joined a group of men to deliver gifts to five homes in Tupelo as part of the Angel Tree program sponsored by Prison Fellowship. Right now there are an estimated 1.5 million children in America who have a parent in prison. Through Angel Tree, those children receive Christmas gifts purchased and delivered by members of local congregatio…
Here are a handful of links that make for good reading on Christmas Eve.Last Sunday Brian Bill preached an usual Christmas message called Destiny. This sermon has a special message for those who happen to be away from home on Christmas Eve.Mona Charen explains the significance of Hanukkah, a celebration that has much to teach us about faith and cou…
I ran across this video of a bluegrass version of the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1. Besides being very appropriate for Christmas Eve, it also shows that even the most unlikely parts of the Bible can be put to music. It’s only a little over two minutes long and well worth your time.…
Here are the answers to David Langerfeld’s Christmas IQ Quiz. I have added my comments to a few answers. 1. A. He worked and lived in Nazareth, but he was returning to Bethlehem – “his own city” (See Luke 2:3). 2. E. The innkeeper didn’t “say” anything (See Luke 2:7). The Bible doesn’t even mention an &ldqu…
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how Christians should respond to the pressures we face every day. And I keep coming back to the same conclusion. I can summarize it in three words.Tenacious winsome courage.Tenacious means we don’t give up. Winsome means we face life with a smile, not a scowl.Courage means we do what needs to be don…
A recent USA Today article told of new research regarding who goes to heaven. Most American religious believers, including most Christians, say eternal life is not exclusively for those who accept Christ as their savior, a new survey finds. Of the 65% of people who held this open view of heaven’s gates, 80% named at least one non-Christian g…
All in all, I’m glad Barack Obama invited Rick Warren to lead the opening prayer at next month’s presidential inauguration. I say that even though I share some of the reservations raised by other evangelicals. But weighing everything, I’m glad that the president-elect asked him, and I’m glad Rick Warren said yes. Here’…
A good friend sent an encouraging note this week about KBM. After writing some very kind words, he added this piece of advice: “Ray…. just keep putting your shoes on everyday and go to work.” None of us knows the real impact we have on the lives of others. I tell pastors who struggle with discouragement, “You’re not in a g…