A few years ago, I shared this story told by Zig Ziglar after his 44th wedding anniversary. One day his wife looked at him and said, “Honey, I wish I was younger.” “Why?” Zig replied, thinking about the adventure of four decades of marriage to the woman of his dreams. “If I was younger, I could be married to you even longer,” she answered. Amazing story about a couple that loved each other through some of life’s very deep valleys. Is this the kind of marriage relationship people only … [Read more...]
COVID liability protection bill becomes attack on churches
For Missouri churches, it could be a case of “the camel’s nose entering the tent.” After all, if the camel gets its nose inside a tent, it will be impossible to prevent the rest of it from entering. This Arab proverb is a metaphor for a small, seemingly innocuous act or decision that will lead to much larger, more serious, and less desirable consequences down the line. The “camel’s nose” is Senate Bill 51. It began as a much-needed and generally regarded non-controversial piece of … [Read more...]
Find this hard to swallow?
She swallowed them. Swallowed ‘em right down. My daughter Kaley and I were working on a book together. I traveled the four hours to her place, and on day two of hunkering down in her apartment for a week of writing, I came down with an ick flu bug. A fever-running, cough-your-head-off, whine-for-days, eat-up-your-writing-time, will-I-survive-this flu bug. Also I sounded like Batman. My doctor assured me I would survive and told me what to take for the fevering, coughing, whining, and … [Read more...]
The road not traveled
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) It seems that many are truly frightened to enter 2021. Some believe that 2020 was so bad that they dread going into a new year not knowing whether the coronavirus will still be a big problem. Recently, it was reported that Bible sales are up throughout the country as people seem to be searching for answers. As we read our Bibles, we learn of many times throughout history when there were plagues, wars, … [Read more...]
Discipleship equals more than words
Who are your prayer warriors? Who are those few people that you can pick up a phone and ask for prayer? I had an opportunity to teach children for a Sunday school, and I asked the same question. When I asked these little children, interestingly, the top two came out as the following: 1. Mama; 2. Grandma. As I look back, it is personally true in my own life! I think of my mother, who had a huge spiritual impact upon my life. So much of who I am today is in answer to her prayers for me. Her … [Read more...]
The fix begins with repentance
For more than seven decades, my dad has helped people. It has always been his nature to lend a helping hand, and it was always right on time. He had this uncanny way of knowing how to fix anything mechanical. When someone would ask, “Henry, I can’t get this to work,” he was super-motivated to help. Over the years, I observed there was nothing mechanically broken that he wasn’t willing to tackle. Read the instructions? Never! Most of the time, with some thought, some planning, some … [Read more...]
Stop monkeying around, Missouri needs school choice
It would be enough to drive Charles Scopes bananas. Nearly a century after the famed Scopes Monkey Trial led to the teaching of evolution in public schools and decades of in-fighting over increasingly liberal curriculums in public schools, a King Kong competitor may be emerging in increasingly conservative Missouri. After gaining passage by the Senate Education Committee, Jan. 21, a major education reform measure (Senate Bill 55) that includes school choice is headed to the full Senate for … [Read more...]
Driven to gladness
It looked like the sideview outline of a little robot ducky head. Sort of cute, really. I was shocked when somebody told me it’s the check engine light. That light doesn’t literally mean to check the engine, though, right? Because I feel like my engine is still there whether I check or not. Not that I would know exactly where to find it. If I found it, what then? I’m not equipped for car repairs, people. I once untangled my seatbelt. That exhausted the full scope of my car repair … [Read more...]
Value of immunizations, healthcare careers
When Milford and Mary Riggs opened the doors of The Baptist Home in 1913, those early residents were referred to as “inmates.” Fortunately, the term did not stick! However, coronavirus restrictions in place since March have obligated residents of care facilities to live a near prison-like existence. Envision for a moment what it would be like to be physically estranged from family, friends and church for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, July 4th, Birthdays, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and … [Read more...]
Obscure, but Jan. 16 is Religious Freedom Day
One of the greatest impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the attacks on religious liberty. In too many instances political leaders have used public safety as an excuse – and ultimately a weapon – against churches services and faith-based gatherings. They have often done so while allowing certain types of businesses to remain open. One of the most egregious violations of religious liberty has been perpetrated against nursing homes. Too often pastors have not been allowed to visit … [Read more...]
Pray for all, not some
Two-thousand years ago, the apostle Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to lead a group of churches. Paul followed up later with a letter that included this statement: “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the … [Read more...]
Year-in-review: God’s gracious gift of 2020
I’m aware many readers might feel friction reading this article’s title. For many of us, 2020 has felt anything but a gracious gift. Perhaps you attribute disappointments on another proof of this year’s wretchedness or are excitedly anticipating 2020 ending. I personally can resonate with this sentiment. For my family 2020 has held every possible emotion. We moved from our home city to a new town and ministry in the midst of a pandemic, have grieved two miscarriages, and are praising the … [Read more...]
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