Today my son walked into school without a mask for the first time in almost two years. Instead of walking, I should probably describe him as having floated into school!…
Pastor’s Blog
Why Be Baptized? 7 Reasons
Baptism. Jesus-followers have been celebrating it for nearly two millennia. “We baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” the church exclaims. At that moment…
4 Reasons to Play Video Games with your Kids and Grandkids
Did you have a video gaming system as a kid? If so, which one? Perhaps you played tennis or handball on the Brown Box or the Magnavox Odyssey? Was your first system a…
Giving with a Willing Heart: 5 Lessons from Exodus
Centuries ago God asked His people to fund a project. Moses was the leader and the people were the only source to provide what was needed to build the tabernacle in the wilderness. This capital campaign is described for us…
4 Ways to Creatively Give in 2021
The Bible Center Church congregation is known for generosity. Through the years the Lord has enabled us to fund big projects (like building a hospital in the Amazon, providing a vehicle for a missionary in Bolivia, and developing…
End-of-Year Giving Tips
Charitable giving, including contributions to churches, is an American distinctive. In fact, Americans give far more to charities than other developed countries. $459 billion in 2019. Check out this chart…
Need More Confidence? Christmas is the Answer!
Do you ever wish you had more confidence? I do. Have you ever coveted the poise of a self-assured friend? I have. Has the pandemic knocked your legs out from under you? I know the feeling…
5 Ways to Pray for Our College Students
A few moments ago, my college-freshman daughter stopped by my office for a hug as she prepared to head back to college. With each visit, it’s getting…
3 Steps for Setting Boundaries
Have you ever struggled with setting healthy boundaries? I have. I don’t know anyone who has totally mastered it. …Perhaps you find it difficult to say no to anyone about anything out of fear that person may not like you…
Why Our Family Celebrates Halloween | 5 Reasons
“As a pastor, why does your family celebrate Halloween? Isn’t it the evil holiday?” Every now and then I get asked that question, albeit from different viewpoints… Here are five reasons my family and I celebrate Halloween.
What We’ll Do if the Pandemic Continues (Part 6)
The toilet paper shortage is back.” Those words coming from one of our maintenance professionals startled me as I returned from lunch yesterday. “Seriously?” I asked. “Yep,” he responded while climbing out of our maintenance truck. “I just returned from Sam’s and…
What We’ll Do if the Pandemic Continues (Part 5)
In this morning’s Charleston Gazette, Hoppy Kercheval posted an article with a sliver of good news regarding the pandemic. “We might be rounding the corner on COVID-19 in West Virginia –– again,” the opening line declared…
What We’ll Do if the Pandemic Continues (Part 4)
President Biden is set to deliver a major address on the next phase of his pandemic response this week. One White House official tells CNN, “On Thursday, the President will speak to the American people about his robust plan to stop the spread…
What We’ll Do if the Pandemic Continues (Part 3)
In the Hunger Games trilogy, specifically in Catching Fire (the second book and movie), a confused and panicked Katniss Everdeen prepares to enter the arena of death for a second time. Haymitch Abernathy, her trainer, reminds her…
What We’ll Do if the Pandemic Continues (Part 2)
This morning’s newspaper is headlined, “State: Hospital beds filling fast.” A few turns to the right, and the headlines continue, “Requiring vaccines for hospital staff is the right call.” “Pfizer seeks FDA booster OK for 16, up.” “College football…
What We’ll Do if the Pandemic Continues (Part 1)
Today’s headlines overflow with Coronavirus news. Cases of COVID-19 are rising fast. Vaccine uptake has plateaued. The debate about masks abounds on every side… again…
7 Reasons We Celebrate Weekly Communion
The church service is almost over. Stomachs are growling, infants are weepy, and the clock is ticking. It’s at this point every week that I ask the congregation to take a minute of prayerful contemplation and self-examination, and then…
6 Meditations to Fight Pornography (Part 3 of 3)
“I’m trapped! How do I fight my porn habit?” “I just discovered the secret porn life of one of my kids. How can I help them?” “Is pornography really that big of deal?…
6 Meditations to Fight Pornography (Part 2 of 3)
Porn. Our culture is hypnotized by its luster. Like an unwelcome omen, it calls to us, to our children, to our spouses, and to our friends. In Part 1 we discussed the first two tactics for fighting pornography’s appeal…
6 Meditations to Fight Pornography (Part 1 of 3)
Pornography. Where were you when you first saw it? For the boys in my neighborhood, we were in the second grade when an older kid who lived a few streets away showed us the contraband he had found…
Does God Understand My Suffering?
“Does God understand my suffering? Does He care when I hurt?” Most of us seek answers to these questions, especially when life gets hard. As I write this post, one of the men in my discipleship group is awaiting news…
Why Mass Shootings and Tornados?
Last week, our nation mourned seven mass shootings in seven days. Tuesday, March 16 | Eight people were killed in Atlanta when a gunman stormed three spas. Wednesday, March 17 | Five people…
3 Life-Lessons COVID-19 Taught Me
“That’s odd. Why am I not able to smell these coffee beans? Why does this coffee have no taste?” By Monday morning the kind doctor at MedExpress confirmed, “Mr. Friend…
Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, or Paramount Plus?
Which streaming service do you prefer? At our house, we use Netflix, Hulu, and Disney Plus… each for a different purpose…
5 Reminders from the Snow
Are you growing weary of winter? I sure am. My laptop screen is festooned with a picture of some beach, somewhere. It welcomes me each morning when I press the power button, and it’s the last thing I see before going home each evening…
Join the Family
Jesus’ words didn’t always smell like roses. Actually, He was notorious for saying some very offensive things, especially to those with little love for God or God’s people. On one particular occasion…
So, Christian, How Do We Change?
A Blast from the Past | It’s a windy, brisk morning atop Mount Carmel. The green valley below slowly peeks through the dense fog, barely visible from the mountain above. This mountain top may…
Christmas is a Love Story
You and I have something in common: we desire to love and be loved. This is what drives us to make the Netflix and Hallmark Channel choices we make. It’s what funds the online dating industry and fuels…
Christmas Lights: A True Story
Are you a Christmas light connoisseur? Do you trim your house with colorful bulbs or twinkling icicles each year? Does your holiday agenda include sightseeing local luminosities? Though my family and I haven’t yet…
Why I Need Christmas
Well (sigh), what a year 2020 has been. A global pandemic, an election for the history books, a rush on grocery stores, online school, drive-by parties, and mask mandates. If you’re looking for Christmas…