Rambling

June 18, 2007

*After a hectic weekend, we are mostly moved in to our new home. But the process of moving is ongoing, at least for several more weeks. At this moment Marlene is out with Linda Hale, purchasing a bedroom set for the guest bedroom and a sofa sleeper for what will become my office.*This is necessary because at this moment on …

Moving Day, the Day After

June 16, 2007

Yesterday we moved into our new home in Tupelo. After nearly two years of living in the cabin in the woods, we moved into a home on the west side of the city, in a nice subdivision near the airport. Herewith a few reflections on the whole process:1) The decision to buy a home in Tupelo came as a surprise to us. We told many …

Two Years, All Clear

June 15, 2007

Today Marlene went for her two-year breast cancer checkup. The results were excellent. At the two year mark, there is no sign of cancer. Two years ago this moth she had her first biopsy and would soon have her second. Those were anxious, trying, frightening days. As I have told many people, cancer looks different on the oth …

The Father Who Would Not Say No

June 13, 2007

A man might be a good man in many areas and yet be marked by a significant weakness in some other part of his life. Sometimes that significant weakness becomes a big part of what we remember about the man. Such was the case of Eli, high priest of Israel, a good man with a heart for God who served as high priest for 40 years …

The Father of a Dying Son

June 12, 2007

Tucked away at the end of John 4 is an amazing little vignette. Because it comes right after the story of the woman at the well, we often overlook the healing of the nobleman’s son (vv. 46-54). It’s a story about a very important man who had a very important conversation with Jesus. As a result, he received a mo …

No Hopeless Cases

We have just posted a new sermon on the website called No Hopeless Cases. Here’s an excerpt:Don’t judge God by the things you see around you. I received an email from a woman who has been witnessing to a Jewish friend for over 30 years. It’s not that her friend is hardened against the gospel. It seems to b …

72 Hours of Service

June 11, 2007

This week the members of Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo, Mississippi are “taking it to the streets” in an effort to serve those who need their help in tangible ways. Basically the church is setting aside 72 hours this week—Thursday, Friday and Saturday—to serve the community in a wide variety of hands-on services. I …

A Father Who Did It Right

(This is the first in a week-long series of entries on fathers in the Bible. Some turn out to be good role models; others offer us examples of fathers who messed up badly. I offer this series as a lead-up to Father’s Day this Sunday.) The assignment seemed simple. Find a biblical father who did it right.Sounds simpl …

Interview Today on Viewpoint with Chuck Crismier

I’m doing a radio interview today from 3-4 PM Central Time (4-5 PM Eastern Time) on a program called Viewpoint with Chuck Crismier.

Microwave Christians

June 10, 2007

This morning in Sunday School David Langerfeld mentioned that there are too many “microwave Christians.” We want everything fast:Fast spiritual growthFast answers to prayerFast solutions to our problems But God doesn’t work on our schedule. David mentioned that Moses never got to enter the Promised Land during his lif …