Monthly Archives: December 2023

2023 Ministry Report

Like most years 2023 has brought a mixture of joys and sorrows; smiles and tears; and success and failure. However, a balanced view regards the year as mainly one of joy, smiles, and success.

As most of our regular readers know we resigned from full time local work in 2018, but have not retired from preaching, teaching and writing. For almost 3 years we traveled full time, combining it with ministry opportunities. That period took us to 38 states, 10 countries, and 48 congregations.

It’s hard to believe but this coming February will be our 3 year anniversary of buying a home and living in Beverly Hills, Florida. We have, however, been blessed with a wonderful year of travel, as well as preaching and teaching opportunities. Continue reading

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Why Jim Denison Refuses to See “Oppenheimer”

 
Today we conclude our countdown of the top 12 posts of 2023 with the #1 post in terms of reader views.  Although this July post didn’t go viral in the strictest sense, it was by far the most read and shared of our published posts for 2023. 
 
 If you’ve seen the movie, you might wonder why Jim Denison was opposed to seeing it.  If you haven’t seen it, this might persuade you to skip it.  
Click the link below to access this post.

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Staying Alive in a Dead Church

This April post really resonated with readers throughout the year ranking #2 with the most hits in 2023.  It offers 8 practical, workable suggestions to help you spiritually when the congregation you’re attending has become Sardis-like. 
Click the link below to access this post.

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A Tribute to Paul Earnhart

 
Although just posted 2 weeks ago, this post amassed an unusual number of hits in a short time to skyrocket to the 3rd most read post of 2023. Its popularity is a further tribute to Paul. To the life that he lived. And the respect that he earned.  
If somehow you missed it,  click the clink below to be inspired by the life of this great and godly man. 

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Stop Saying “Biological Women”

Today we continue our countdown of the top 12 posts of 2023 based on reader views.  This September post came in at #4.  It speaks to an important issue with which our culture is grappling. It features some important quotes by the former University Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines.
Click the link below to access this post.

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Top Posts of 2023–#5, #6, #7

 

Greetings from Beverly Hills, FL

As most of you have noticed we are taking a holiday blogging break this week and next week.

We have been posting the top 12 posts of 2023 based on reader hits.  Today, we are posting links to numbers 5, 6  & 7.  We not post tomorrow or Monday and then resume the countdown of the top 4 next week beginning Tuesday. Continue reading

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I Saw a Man Die

 
As we continue our countdown of the top posts of 2023, this one from our facebook Friday column came in at #8.   It is a powerful post from our friend and preaching colleague Roger Shouse who publishes Jump Starts Daily.  
Click the link below to access this post

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5 Factors of Church Growth

 
 Throughout the holidays we are counting down the top 12 posts 0f 2023 with the most “hits”  as reported by WordPress. Based on Acts 2:42-47, this May post about church growth received the 9th most reader views.  
 
As a side note for my preaching colleagues, this post will put you on second base for a sermon idea you might like to develop.  
Click the link below to access this post. 

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Psalm 40

 
As we continue our holiday blogging break by reposting the top 12 posts of 2023, we come to #10.  I think this Psalm resonated with readers because  we can relate to David’s problems in this passage.  There are 3 challenges he faced.  And he says there were 3 things he did to meet the challenges. You will profit from reading and applying this wonderful passage.
Click the link below to access this March post. 

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Public Prayer and Piety When Facing a Crisis

 
We are taking a holiday blogging break and posting the top 12 posts published in 2023.  This January post ranked #11 in terms of reader hits.  
It relates that an incident that occasioned an unusual response in public prayer on national TV.  The episode raises some questions and issues that all Americans, and especially Christians, need to give some serious thought. 
 
Click the link below to read this thought provoking post. 

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