Category Archives: Discipleship

April 21, 2022 · 4:21 am

Running By The Rules

Monday was the 126th running of the Boston Marathon with Kenyan Evans Chebet breaking away from the crowded pack to win his first major marathon.

The women’s division was won by Peres Jepchirchir from Kenya who pulled away from Ethiopian Ababel Yesaneh during the final mile.

This 50th anniversary of women being allowed to compete reminded me of the infamous Rosie Ruiz who was crowned the winner of the 1980 Boston Marathon. Her time was the 3rd fastest for any woman in Marathon history and 25 minutes better than her best time. Continue reading →

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April 19, 2022 · 4:19 am

What Will Matter

Sunday we were blessed to be with the brethren in Cosby, Tennessee, and spend time with our friends Olie and Mary Williamson.

Olie is amazing. He’s 89. Teaches a Bible class every Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Preaches every Sunday morning, unless there’s a visiting preacher (like me) he can draft to preach. And still plays golf, shooting less than his age. Continue reading →

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April 7, 2022 · 6:53 am

“It’s Bigger Than Basketball”

On Monday night the University of Kansas Jayhawks defeated the University of North Carolina Tarheels in New Orleans to win the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship.

Their fourth Champion in school history was particularly sweet since they made history by coming back from a 16 point deficit, making it the largest comeback in the history of the tournament.

While this didn’t make the mainstream news or find its way onto the color analysis Monday night, several players, including backcourt duo, Joe Yesufu, and Jalen Coleman-Lands, in an interview with CBN Sports shared their faith and how it grounded them in their college careers. Continue reading →

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March 31, 2022 · 6:39 am

Finishing Well

“Anybody can run the first half of a race, but it takes a true competitor to compete in the second half of the race.”

These words from David Kempston’s high school coach still ring in his ears over thirty years later.

Kempston, a trial lawyer, who loves to run, shared the basis of this advice in his book “Lessons Learned On The Run: A Book About Running and Life.” Continue reading →

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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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