I knew today was going to be a tough one. I needed my full armor of God, all the Fruit of the Spirit, and a guard over my mouth. I had prayed for every crevice to be filled with the Holy Spirit; for the Holy Spirit to lead me, embolden me, and hush me if necessary. So, I dug into God’s Word.

Last week I wrote about that old saying, “Don’t let your talent write a check your character can’t cash.” I thought I was probably finished with it, but I’ve kept thinking about it this week, especially as I’ve thought about my own years in ministry and some of the conversations I now get to have with leaders.

In many ways, we have never been more connected. Our smartphones give us access to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Within seconds, we can text, post, comment, like, follow, and even livestream. We can attend meetings from home, visit landmarks through virtual tours, and shop online. Social media allows us to follow the lives of people we seldom see, or even those we have never met.

“Revival” and “revivals” are not necessarily the same thing.  

Renowned advice columnist Ann Landers is said to have received some 10,000 letters per month. When asked about the most common problem in her readers’ lives, she answered, “The one problem above all others seems to be fear. People are afraid of losing their health, their wealth, and their loved ones. People are afraid of life itself.”

Why are we on earth? Why do we exist? What are we doing here? These are questions that people often ask. So many have rejected the very idea of God that they have absolutely no idea of the answers to these questions.

The story of Jericho in Joshua 6 is familiar. Yet, no matter how many times we have heard it, when we slip our feet into the sandals of the Israelites, we can learn something new. Our age and our situation can lend a new perspective on following God when it doesn’t make sense.

Not long ago I heard a statement that has stayed with me. “Don’t let your talent write a check your character can’t cash.” I’ve heard it attributed to several different leaders over the years, but whoever first said it captured something ministry leaders need to hear.

Nothing remains the same. Many of life’s changes can be exciting, while others are heartbreaking. Though we are not caught off guard intellectually, our progressing existence often creates personal strain.

I don't know about you, but there is just something special about watching your children and grandchildren do something they love. In the last few days, we have watched one granddaughter play in a softball tournament and another granddaughter's chorus concert. They both love their respective activities, and you can tell it by the enthusiasm and joy while they are performing.

I have heard it said that the most difficult person you will ever lead is yourself. I think that is generally true for a number of reasons. We tend to be very gracious with ourselves in terms of deadlines, self-pity, mistakes, and weaknesses, and we may also underestimate our weaknesses and overestimate our strengths

William Arthur Ward said, “Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning.” If you want to learn something new, then ask questions, right?

Have you done the single most important thing you can ever do on this earth? Have you trusted your immortal soul to Christ for His salvation? What act could possibly compare in importance to securing heaven for your soul?

Sometimes my best ideas come after the fact. My genius thoughts for articles, crafts, or gifts come after the holiday or occasion has passed.

Have you ever had your heart hurt? I'm not talking about a medical hurt, but an emotional hurt. One of the hardest things for me to navigate, and even understand, is emotional hurt.

What would you do to avoid going to church? Years ago, seven-year-old Preston Scarborough was so desperate to bypass the Sunday morning gathering that he stole his family’s white Dodge Intrepid in order to skip town. His actions led to a 40-mph car chase across Plain City, Utah, where the boy ran a stop sign, circled a high school parking lot, and nearly hit a motorist. Eventually, he drove home, jumped out of the car, and ran inside.

On his deathbed, Ramon Narvaez, the 19th-century prime minister of Spain, was asked by a priest, “Does Your Excellency forgive all your enemies?” “I do not have to forgive my enemies,” answered Narvaez, “I have had them all shot.”

Dr. M. Scott Peck, psychiatrist, said, “Alcoholism is a genetic, inherited disorder.” I believe he was right. When I taught nursing students, I would sometimes poll my students as to how many had at least one alcoholic in their families. Every hand would invariably be raised.

There is a subtle danger that comes with ministry.  I don't think it happens intentionally.  It just happens little by little.

I was saved in the early 70’s - about the time “the Jesus movement” started gathering steam.  Not too long after, the church I grew up in went through an ugly split in the throes of “the charismatic movement.”

I don't know about you, but it is so hard for me to get motivated when I am struggling. I almost feel like I don't even know where to start - even the smallest tasks. It seems I go through seasons when struggles can make me feel like I can't hear God, so I question everything.

On his final journey to Jerusalem — “constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to [him] there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to [him] in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await [him]” — Paul gathered the Ephesian elders at Miletus and made a bold declaration: “I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:22–23, 26–27).

Recently, Mark Karki, who served with me as minister of worship at Fayetteville’s McDonough Road Baptist Church for many years, appeared on WATC TV’s “Atlanta Live” show.

Psychiatrist Dr. M. Scott Peck wrote a great book entitled, The Road Less Traveled. His first statement is, “Life is difficult.” He goes on to explain that life is a series of problems and that solving these problems is painful.

My beloved and I just returned from a mission/vision trip in Alaska. We connected with Michael and Marsha Woodrum, who are bi-vocational missionaries in Tok. They own and operate Mukluk Land – a fun and interesting stop on the Alaskan Highway.