Last month, on July 7, I had a great time representing Georgia Baptists and being with the “Level Up Leadership” group from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Bowman, Ga.

While most churches have benefited in recent years from strong and faithful expository preaching through books of the Bible, it is also true that many have suffered from a lack of biblical discipleship on stewardship.  

A recent federal appeals court decision has placed a new spotlight on the relationship between religious schools, government education programs, and religious liberty protections.

The Apostle Paul told his Philippian friends, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). This means that God is working in the lives of all His children (Christians), though we often fail to recognize it, especially when it involves adversity.

​Humorist Mark Twain, giving his homey advice on childrearing, said, “Things run along pretty smoothly until your kid reaches 13. That’s the time you need to stick ‘em in a barrel, hammer down the lid nice and snug, and feed ‘em through the knothole. And then, about the time he turns 16, plug up the hole!”

With scissors in hand, I stared in the mirror. My bangs had been driving me crazy for too long.

A recent guest opinion in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution argued that the Bible has little or nothing to say about abortion. As I read the article, the thought went through my mind, “Tell me you have never studied the Bible without telling me you’ve never studied the Bible.” It did not contain a single scriptural reference. As both a pastor and a former Georgia legislator, I respectfully but strongly disagree with the article.

Do you ever feel like you are on the clock? It seems like there is a time for everything in our day. We set an alarm for a time to get up. We have a time for breakfast, school or work start times, quitting time, bedtime, and my list could go on and on.

Certainty has become a rare commodity in our world. News headlines often project political views rather than reality. Our distrust for politicians, journalists, and corporations is at an all-time high. The days of taking anything at face value seem to be a distant memory that may never return.

Podcaster and leadership expert Carey Nieuwhof said in a recent interview with John Ortberg that he holds to an unpublished view of leadership that most of us are “making it up as we go.” Nieuwhof seems to be saying most leaders do not arrive at their leadership position knowing all they will need to know to lead effectively.

NASHVILLE (BP) – In early July, Americans lit up the night sky with fireworks and festivities as they marked the 250th anniversary of the United States. As the celebrations fade like the summer sun, how should American Christians exercise their freedoms as they move toward the next milestone?

Tucked away in a lesser known book in the Old Testament are the following verses: “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For all His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22.23 NASB). 

In 2 Corinthians 5:1, the Apostle Paul tells us, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

Most ministry leaders know David. Many know Asaph. Few know Heman.

In the pasta aisle at Food City, I debated which noodle looked most like worms. Spaghetti was too straight, bow tie too lumpy, penne too tubular. I FaceTimed my daughter to ask her opinion. We settled on elbow macaroni. It was for Sunday School.

For most of us, the pressure to go with the flow is much stronger than we care to admit. The societal compulsion to think and live like everyone else can be intimidating, and the misguided values of our fallen world are often enticing. Following Jesus, though, requires the courage to move in the opposite direction by going against the currents of compromise.

My four granddaughters who live with us started school today. I mean it is July 30, which is crazy early to start school. I remember back when school began after Labor Day, but don't even get me started on that.

Every car owner knows he has to change the oil from time to time.  It doesn’t matter how cool your ride looks if you’re stuck on the side of the road.  So despite the fact it’s not “urgent” today (or doesn’t seem to be), they make time for maintenance. 

​While vacationing in the Pawleys Island, South Carolina, area recently, news broke that Pawleys Island Community Church leadership knowingly allowed a registered sex offender to volunteer at the church’s Christian school and work around children.

An old hymn I love asks, “Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?” The Lamb is Jesus, the Christ of God and God’s own Son. He shed His blood on the cross of Calvary to wash away the sins of all who believe in Him and trust their souls to Him.

For centuries, the British monarchy has carried the title "Defender of the Faith." Since 1688, English monarchs have sworn at their coronation to "maintain the Laws of God" and the "profession of the Gospel," reflecting the Crown's historic role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

My sister, Teri, is like medicine – a balm for the soul. I needed a good dose, so I threw my toothbrush and pajamas in a bag, then headed 252 miles to Bowling Green for a day. Totally worth it. There’s a long time of hugging when we get together. Then we start talking as fast as we can to catch up.

Jesus never told His followers to believe every spiritual voice they encountered. Instead, He issued the sobering warning that false prophets often clothe themselves in sheep’s clothing though they are inwardly ravenous wolves (Matt. 7:15). Those words matter more than ever.

Last week was one of my granddaughters' birthdays. She asked for a "blob" kit, which I purchased. It is basically just what it says - a blob of clay to transform as you see fit.

A guest walks into the worship center with a cup of coffee. An usher smiles, but then gently says, “I’m sorry, you can’t bring that in here.” The guest nods, takes another sip, and steps back into the lobby to finish it. Nothing harsh was said. No one intended harm. But something subtle shifted.