Category: Pastor’s Notes
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Identifying Sinful Fears, Pt. 2: The Fear of Creation
Matthew’s Gospel challenges our assumptions about fearfulness. After a long day of ministry, Jesus and his disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee. Weary from the day, our Lord fell asleep in the boat’s bow. Then, a violent storm battered and threatened to destroy the vessel and its occupants. The disciples panicked, but Jesus remained asleep.…
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Identifying Sinful Fears, Pt. 1: The Fear of Man
On April 27, 2011, we had our children huddled in the bathtub of our Alabama home, wearing bicycle helmets. Weather sirens were blaring in the background as 62 tornadoes touched down throughout the day. My children were terrified by the ordeal, and it took one of them nearly five years to overcome the memories of…
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The Sanger Gospel, Part 2
One of the most troubling economic indicators for our country is the declining birth rate. A nation built on two-worker households cannot survive if those workers do not replace themselves. And, we are not. I shared this with my physical therapist in South Carolina many years ago. His response was, “The more troubling thing is…
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The Sanger Gospel, Part 1
To measure the level of sadness and despair in individual families, count their children. The more they have, the greater their misery. To achieve happiness, both for your family and society at large, keep your family small. Such was the perspective Margaret Higgins Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood, adopted early in her childhood. Sanger grew…
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Can the SBC hold sex abusers accountable?
We will be talking about the recently released report detailing sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention for some time to come. In nearly 400-pages of detailed reporting, Guidestone Solutions, an independent investigating firm, demonstrated corruption at high levels within the SBC. What I’ve read so far is heartbreaking because of the stain this activity…
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Jehovah Hears and Remembers
If you had to grade sins, what would be worse – murder and adultery or breaking a vow? Most of us would say that murder and adultery are worse sins than breaking a vow. Scripture, however, requires us to view a broken vow as a severe sin in God’s eyes. In 2 Samuel 21, God…
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Beaten Back
Introduction In this article, we consider briefly whether incarceration or public judicial corporal punishment offers a more humane treatment of criminal offenders. Though the idea of public caning, or some alternative of the practice, stirs a visceral reaction in many, we should note the practice is rooted both in Scripture and world history. I base…
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A Word to Graduates
Dear high school graduate, allow me a moment to speak to you as a father – a Christian father. This moment in your life seems extraordinary. A high school diploma is like the stamp of approval you are ready for adulthood. You’ve completed a course of study and are now prepared to make your mark…
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Just Plain Vows
I do not favor custom marriage vows, and I think ministers everywhere should discourage them. Instead, I believe there is something to be said for out-of-the-box, boilerplate vows recited by every couple. It may seem like a small thing to have an opinion about, but this is something I’d like you to give some thought…
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“Mickey-ing” Around with Our Children
Disney has finally said the quiet part out loud, haven’t they? The tension between The Walt Disney Company and Christians has been palpable for at least two decades. It all seemed to start when they permitted gay-pride week in their parks. A move perfectly within their right. But recent revelations should give Christian parents pause…
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Life For Life
On November 26, 1981, in Leetown, MS, James Billiot killed his stepfather, mother, and 14-year-old stepsister with an 8-pound sledgehammer. It was a gruesome crime. The State sentenced Billiot to death in December 1982. Today, 40-years-later, he is still on death row. Billiot is one of thirty-five folks on Mississippi’s death row. They’ve been there…
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Singing the Songs of Zion
Music is a powerful instrument. As a teenage driver, certain tunes seemed to make my foot a little heavier on the pedal. As a father, I sang to my young children to usher them into the land of Nod. Music has the power to transport us back in time and to other places. It can…
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