Category Archives: Discipleship

Greetings from Columbia, Tennessee

We are on the way to the Smoky Mountains, but swung by here to see some dear friends and attend a concert by country music singer and songwriter, Rory Feek, who’s also a world-class storyteller.  Rory was one half of the Grammy award winning duo with late wife, Joey+Rory. Continue reading →

“While nearly every evangelical Protestant believes in the concept of sin, what evangelicals define as sin varies tremendously from one person to the next.”

This conclusion was reached by a recent report titled “What is Sin? Evangelical Beliefs and Behaviors” by Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter Research.

The survey asked, 1,039 Evangelicals to answer “yes” or “no” regarding 26 behaviors as to whether or not they considered them sinful. Continue reading →

It’s an understatement to say that it has been a crazy time here on the West Coast of Florida the past 2-3 weeks.

First, there was Hurricane Helene. Then Hurricane Milton. Each brought their own set of dire predications and ultimate challenges. In addition to the helpful knowledge we gathered in tracking the path of the Hurricanes and staying alert to warnings, was encouragement we received from friends and brethren on social media. Continue reading →

I was reading a piece yesterday where the author was recounting the impact that so many crises and disasters were having on our psyche.

Russian President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine continues with destruction and loss of life. Israel is fighting wars on two fronts with Hezbollah and Hamas, who are actually proxies for Iran. Just two weeks after the devastation of Hurricane Helene that ravaged not only Florida, but Georgia, Tennessee, and especially North Carolina, we’re facing another monster storm, Milton, which will have hit the Gulf coast by the time you read this. Continue reading →

As I sit here sipping a cup of hot coffee in the early morning darkness, it is peaceful, calm, and quiet. No wind. No rain. A pleasant 70 degrees.

But…

We know it is just the calm before the storm. Continue reading →

Though skeptical of his teenage son’s newfound determination to build bulging muscles, one father followed his teenager to the store’s weight-lifting department, where they admired a set of weights.

“Please, Dad,” pleaded the teen, “I promise I’ll use ’em every day.”

“I don’t know, Michael. It’s really a commitment on your part,” the father said.

“Please, Dad?” Continue reading →

A few weeks ago my friend and preaching colleague, Leland Ping who lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, posted a short piece on his facebook page that is worthy of your consideration. Continue reading →

With so many churches providing, promoting, and sponsoring recreational activities both for its members and non-members, this is a fair question to ask: “Is recreation a work of the church?”

Apparently a Michigan appeals court doesn’t think so. In a recent ruling the court states that “a multisite Evangelical church in Michigan cannot be exempt from paying taxes on a property meant to serve as a retreat and recreation space,” as reported by The Christian Post. Continue reading →

Yesterday we were working out at our local YMCA and Chez, one of the trainers, walked by wearing a T-shirt which read: UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Then it added “Building a better me through exercise.”

When I saw it, I was reminded that’s why we were all there–young and old, men and women, out of shape and trying to get in shape.  We’re all under construction.  We’re there to exercise, improve our heath, and get better physically.

But quickly my mind to turn to a spiritual application. “Under construction” ought to describe the state of each one of us as we are growing “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). Continue reading →