Category Archives: Discipleship

March 29, 2022 · 8:29 am

Are We in the “End Times”?

“I am not saying that what we are seeing today is proof positive that Jesus is coming tomorrow,” opined Tony Evans in a recent sermon. “What I am saying is, it could be.”

Evans, the well-known 72-year-old preacher at the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, is among those who are talking about “End Times” because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

His disclaimer notwithstanding, Evans went on to talk about Bible prophecy and supposedly connected the dots between the Old Testament prophecies regarding Israel, the church, the Second Coming of Christ, figurative language in the book of Revelation, the price of oil, and war in the Middle East. Continue reading →

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March 22, 2022 · 7:55 am

Don’t Demean The Church

“You can be Christian without the Church.”

“I don’t need the Church.”

“The Church is full of hypocrites.”

“The Church is old-fashioned and outdated.”

“The Church doesn’t care about me.”

“The Church only wants my money.” Continue reading →

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March 15, 2022 · 8:36 am

Jesus’ Perscription for Worry

There is a great story that comes out of Greece in the 5th century B.C. During the war between two city-states, a spy was captured and sentenced to death. Before the execution, he demanded an audience with the Ruler of that city. When the interview was granted, he stood before the Ruler and pled “O great king, if you do not execute me, but instead allow me to live a mere two years longer, I will teach your favorite horse to sing.”

The king thought about it, and finally decided, “What’s two years? I can always kill him at the end of it.” So he agreed, and the spy was led away. Continue reading →

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February 17, 2022 · 6:33 am

Random Acts of Kindness

 

Norman and Berdyne Fultz, friends of mine from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, shared an interesting incident on facebook that occurred this week.

The Fultz’s were eating at an On the Border restaurant on Monday evening celebrating their 70th Valentine’s Day together. Their meal became a little sweeter when the server informed them that an anonymous gentleman had paid their bill.

Apparently, he noticed them when they entered the restaurant and told the server they were “a cute couple,” and wanted to buy their dinner. Continue reading →

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February 11, 2022 · 6:24 am

The New Exodus–Our Exodus

Norma Jean and I have enjoyed a rich and rewarding week at the Florida College Annual Lectures.

This unique series of lessons that used the Exodus from Egypt as a paradigm of God’s redemptive plan for all of humanity was interesting, insightful, and at times challenging. Also, we experienced a wonderful reunion and fellowship with many of our friends from all around the country, as well as making new friends

Last night’s lecture by Bible Chair Tom Hamilton spoke of “The New Exodus and the Final Exodus.” In brief summary, Tom offered six parallels that speak to us today. Continue reading →

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February 1, 2022 · 7:15 am

In Honor and Memory of Dave Wyckoff

52 years ago this coming May my wife, Norma Jean, and I moved to Hillsboro, Ohio, for my first full-time preaching work. Very quickly we came to know a young couple, Dave and Nancy Wyckoff, and their 2 young daughters, Cheryln, and Tamara, who we affectionately called Tammy, and their newborn son, Jason.

Little did we know how that relationship would continue, and flourish, over the course of living in 6 different states and working with 9 different congregations in the coming years. Dave and Nancy were what you would call “forever friends.” We could go a year or more and not see each other, but pick up again, right where we left off. Continue reading →

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January 25, 2022 · 6:38 am

Are You Finding and Fulfilling God’s Purpose For Your Life?

“Are you stumbling toward an uncertain future,” asks author John Mason in his little book Conquering An Enemy Called Average. Mason then offers this challenge.

“First, concentrate on finding your purpose, then concentrate on fulfilling it. Having a powerful why will provide you with the necessary how.”

American author Robert Byrne was right when he wrote, “The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” However, too often the problem is that most people begin at the wrong place–ourselves. Our goals. Our dreams. Our success. Continue reading →

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January 18, 2022 · 5:58 am

Obstacles To Commitment

In the 1990s there was a popular TV show Seinfeld, which is still in reruns today. The self-proclaimed show about “nothing,” often revealed some life lessons in a rather humorous and sometimes silly fashion.

One of the characters, George Constanza, consistently encountered problems. Many were self-imposed issues in the area of commitment. Especially in his relationships.

In one episode, George fell in love with a woman in prison. This was perfect because she was the ultimate unavailable partner. The relationship was limited. The demands on George were few. And his commitment was almost non-existent. However, as soon as she was released from prison the relationship fell apart. Continue reading →

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January 13, 2022 · 7:31 am

Things Are Not Always as They Appear

Louisianan Bob Oren Bass claims this is a true story.

A woman was flying from Seattle to San Francisco. Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sacramento along the way.. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft the plane would re-board in 50 minutes.

Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was blind. The man had noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her Seeing Eye dog, Buddy, lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her throughout the entire flight. Continue reading →

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January 11, 2022 · 6:52 am

No Excuse Zone

In his book, Something Else to Smile About, Zig Ziglar tells a story about man who went next door to borrow his neighbor’s lawnmower.

The neighbor explained that he couldn’t loan him the mower because all the flights had been canceled from New York to Los Angeles.

“What do canceled flights from New York to Los Angeles have to do with borrowing your lawnmower?” the man incredulously asked. Continue reading →

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