It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Chicago

Posted by on 12.7.06 in Personal

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 …

Continue reading »

Shirley Banta RIP

Posted by on 12.4.06 in Personal

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& …

Continue reading »

Hearty Male Laughter

Posted by on 11.30.06 in Personal

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 …

Continue reading »

Tuesday Links

Posted by on 11.28.06 in Internet/Blogging, Personal

Mark has posted some new pictures from China. Josh has posted pictures of Thanksgiving at the cabin. Look for the November 28 entry.Andy McQuitty’s weekly note references something I wrote about the date of Jesus’ birth and draws some helpful application. Ryan Whitley writes a blog called Just One More.Check out …

Continue reading »

“My Childhood Pastor”

Posted by on 11.19.06 in Personal

This has been one of the satisfying days of my pastoral ministry. It all started twenty-three years ago when I became the pastor of Northeast Bible Church in Garland, Texas. The church was a year old when Marlene and I moved from Downey, California to Garland where I became the first pastor of the new church. For the few we …

Continue reading »

Friday News and Notes

Posted by on 11.10.06 in Personal

We’re wrapping up a good week at the SIM Retirement Village in Sebring, FL. Tonight I preach the last message in the Elijah series. Our flight from Orlando leaves at 6:20 AM, which means that we will need to leave Sebring about 3:30 AM to arrive at the airport in time to turn in our rental car and check in for the fli …

Continue reading »

Happy Birthday, Josh!

Posted by on 11.2.06 in Personal

Happy Birthday, Josh!Our oldest son celebrates his 27nd birthday today. On Tuesday night we had an early birthday celebration with Josh and Leah in Chicago. Josh looked so happy and Leah was radiant. Being with them was the highlight of our trip.

Continue reading »

Wrapping Up the Weekend Conference

Posted by on 10.29.06 in Personal, Word of Life

We just finished the “Why Did This Happen to Me”? conference at Word of Life Inn in Schroon Lake, New York. It turned out to be a powerful time of sharing and encouragement. Marlene and I did our first-ever team teaching during the conference, and it seemed to be a big hit. There is something very helpful about hearing a hu …

Continue reading »

Lloyd Perry’s Benediction

Posted by on 10.24.06 in Personal

We got off to a great start this morning at Lancaster Bible College. Today through Thursday I am speaking in chapel for the Lloyd Perry Preaching Series. Dr. Perry published many books about preaching, taught homiletics for years at Trinity Seminary in Deefield, IL, and was one of the most influential preaching professors o …

Continue reading »

Our Final Multi-State Trip of the Year

Posted by on 10.22.06 in Personal

We are back home in Tupelo after our all-too-brief visit to Gulf Shores. We’re here just long enough to unpack, wash clothes, repack, and grab a few hours of sleep before heading out on our last multi-state trip of the year. We’re leaving here at 3:15 AM to drive to Birmingham where we will catch a Southwest fli …

Continue reading »

1 26 27 28 29 30 38