I have a wonderful life. I mean, I have a wonderful wife. I have both a wonderful wife and a wonderful life. Recently, my son gave her what may be her favorite birthday gift. What was that gift? A set of replacement headphone ear pads; you know, the squishy foam part that goes between the hard plastic electronic parts and your head? Over time, the leathery part began to flake off and lost its softness. The electronic parts still worked well, but the seal needed strengthening from years of … [Read more...]
The rock and the sponge
Have you ever encountered a circumstance where you looked at someone else’s work and wondered, “What were they thinking when they did this?” Maybe it happens when you are doing a home remodel project. You uncover a problem where the previous repairman made an interesting decision, which causes you to wonder what they were thinking. The other day, I knew I had created one of those moments for somebody in the future to investigate my doing. So, in case they ask you, let me explain. I was on … [Read more...]
Biblical boldness
Boldness. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? As lawyers are trained to say in response to any and every question, “It depends.” It depends first on what you mean by boldness. If you mean reckless engagement without regard to context, old-fashioned manners more akin to rudeness, then I think we can agree that “no” is the correct answer. However, if you think about boldness from a biblical context, there may be a more appropriate application. In Acts 4:13, the rulers, elders, scribes, and … [Read more...]
Don’t ignore the BBQ sauce
I was so proud of myself. I thought I had made it through! But as Proverbs 16:18 warns, I was only preparing myself for a fall. You see, I had made the poor decision of going into a barbeque restaurant wearing a white shirt before speaking at a church. Since I was alone, they would only seat me at the bar, which increased the difficulty level. As a “teetotaler” who is not tempted in the least by alcohol, it would not bother me to sit out at the bar, especially since I could sit in front of … [Read more...]
Choosing darkness or light?
It was dark when I spotted it. Those two little gleaming eyes reflecting the light from my headlights. I slowed down and moved the car toward the side of the road. I expected to see a possum or raccoon looking back at me, but it was much smaller, a squirrel, perhaps? Finally, my brain put all the pieces together; it was a tiny kitten on the side of the road. Our cat of 15 years passed a few months ago, and I am still not over it. “Blossom,” as we called her, helped raise our boys and was a … [Read more...]
Are your ‘reasons’ actually excuses?
So, I recently received a notice in the mail. No, it was not my reminder that I have a dental appointment coming up. Neither was it a rate increase from an insurance company or that I won a million dollars. It was better than that. It was a summons for jury duty. I have never received a jury duty summons; my wife, however, has served three times. Many of you have already been privileged to fulfill your civic duty before, but I did not know what to expect; I was a little excited and a bit … [Read more...]
Love is greater than fear
It has been sitting on my desk for a while, maybe two or three years now. It was once one of the most valuable items around. (If you could find it, that is.) It sits on the far corner of my desk with a bunch of pens, the tape dispenser, and an extra pair of reading glasses, unused and under-appreciated. The half-empty bottle of Germ-X hand sanitizer reminds me of what the world was like just a few short months ago. I remember my son coming home from school after hearing that a local store … [Read more...]
Seasons change: Embrace it!
I find immense joy in witnessing the transitions that occur throughout the year! They serve as a profound reminder of God’s boundless creativity and diversity. Not only do the seasons undergo transformations, but the seasons of our lives do as well. While some of these changes can be welcoming, like getting your dream job, getting married, and completing a home remodel. Others can be discouraging, like losing your dream job, never-ending home remodel, or a spouse passing away. How we … [Read more...]
The Que-Burger Indicator
I like looking at charts. Don’t you? They can convey a lot of information in a visually appealing way. While they can also mislead (just like words), they allow the brain to process data in a way that often communicates more powerfully than written or spoken words. (At least, from a guy who likes looking at charts.) Recently, while looking at a chart of the dollar’s value over time, I knew inflation was reducing the buying power of my dollar because of the Que-Burger Indicator. The … [Read more...]
Mansion in glory
I recently had the opportunity to visit Beaufort, South Carolina, for the annual gathering of State Baptist Foundation Presidents. Amid our meetings, strategy sessions and prayer, we had a bit of time to explore the area’s history. Founded in 1711, Beaufort played significant roles both in the Revolutionary and Civil War due to its location among the Sea Islands. It also played a unique and shameful role in the slave trade. During those difficult days, true heroes like Harriet Tubman and … [Read more...]
Advancing the gospel by money management
I love my job. Why? Because I get to focus on Advancing the Gospel. Although my position has looked different throughout my life, my calling has remained the same since I started at Siloam Springs Baptist Assembly. When I first walked that aisle as a teenager, I assumed it would be in youth ministry. Then I became a pastor and still serve in a wonderful church as an interim pastor (note we are all interim). But now, I get to live out this calling in the world of finance. To help people … [Read more...]
Leaving a legacy
I recently attended a funeral of a dear friend and mentor. Dr. John Henry Moore was born on October 12, 1939, and was promoted to heaven in time to celebrate Jesus’ birthday with Him on Dec 23. A medical doctor and surgeon, I met him while in Branson and had the privilege of serving with him for several years when he was on our pastoral staff. He always provided great insight and wisdom to our staff and the church. He and his wife provided marriage mentoring, taught Sunday School, and gave … [Read more...]
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