I decided recently that I should follow Bill Keane’s cartoon, Family Circus, more faithfully. So many profound lessons are couched in humor. Keane models the cartoon after his own family: Thelma, his wife,  and their children, Billy, Dolly, Jeffy, and P.J. The...

What ‘n the world are we coming to?  That’s the way Momma expressed her exasperation with all the things coming at her that she did not understand. Almost every day when I read the news, or watch television, or simply observe culture I’m feeling that sentiment. More...

We too quickly leave the reason for our celebrations behind. We must not do that on July 4. The tension and threatened disruption in Russia are an immediate reminder of who we say we are as a nation is as critical today as ever. When the founders of the United States...

Providentially, a few days ago I came across reflective words I had written years ago, following a visit to Estonia, what was then East Germany, and the German Democratic Republic. I was there in a more or less official capacity, so in  these  three countries, I was...

I believe there are two frames of reference out of which we tend to operate as Christians – either is debilitating to our Christian growth and service. One is a false humility that refuses to name and claim our gifts. The second is a confidence that claims too much...

I don’t know how it is with you, but I have a number of Scripture passages to which I refer off and on, sometimes out of need, sometimes reminded of it when I’m listening to something else. Recently I was listening to a sermon on the text, Do not think of yourself...

There is tyranny in words. Words can be Philistine giants that slay us, or they can provide the solid foundation on which we build our lives. They can be  maxims that crumble like ashes, or ropes on slippery places that keep us erect and steady. We think too little...

An article in The Commercial Appeal (4-20-23) tells a dramatic story about the love of Walter Watkins and son for their stolen dog. The dog, Hennessy, was stolen from their yard when she was only three months old. A neighbor said she saw a man pull Hennessy over the...

Dianne, my sister- in law, died seven months ago. Recently her husband gave Jerry (my wife) a folder and a large envelope full of letters she had received from Kevin, our son, and sermon I had preached years ago. The letters are priceless for Kevin. And the sermons?...

There are those in the Protestant that think lightly, sometimes even condescendingly of written prayers. They think we should be able to pray spontaneously. Well, I think we should not only be able, but most of us also pray more spontaneously than “planned” praying....