We  are  residents of  a  world  that  refuses  to  take  any  responsibility.  “The devil made me do it. My spouse made me do it. It’s my boss’s fault.” On and on it goes; where it stops, no one knows. One of the funniest movies I’ve seen in recent years is a movie called Rocketman.   The lead character’s standard line when something goes wrong is, “It wasn’t me.”

For some reason, God’s people think when  they stand before the judgment seat of Christ  they are going to be able to blame their parents,  the church,  their pastor,  or their circumstances for their lack of maturity. By the life-styles, choices and actions of most believers, I am convinced that people think they will be able to pass the buck when it comes to personal responsibility. Continue reading “On the Lack of Personal Responsibility” →

(*I wrote the following article nearly 12 years ago, yet it’s still applicable today.)

Does anyone remember when Jimmy Carter announced that he was “born again” and created a stir during the 1976 Presidential Campaign?  Some say that the Christian community was so desperate for a believer in office that they were the deciding factor in Carter’s win over Gerald Ford.  Today, Carter is viewed with more respect than he was as a President.   Apparently, being a born again doesn’t necessarily make you one of history’s greatest Presidents. Continue reading “Politics and Religion” →

I love to play golf. I’m not that good at it, I just love the game. On the golf course, I have one rule; don’t talk to me about church. Golf is where I let down, unwind, and get my mind off my job as a pastor.

I’ve never been great at the game. I’m not a student of it. I’m not constantly working on a swing technique. The lowest handicap I’ve had in my adult life (outside of my swing) is a 10. My goal is to one day, at least for one day, get it to single digits. When that happens, it will be one more confirmation, “There is a God.” Continue reading “Drive for Show, Putt for Dough” →

The word “fool” is used nearly 40 times in the book of Proverbs. Solomon used it more often than any other writer in Scripture. The word appears primarily in the wisdom literature. It was used to describe a person who, in general, lacked wisdom. Sometimes a fool was one who despised wisdom or discipline.

According to Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.” Closely tied to this train of thought, Proverbs 14:7 teaches us, “Leave the presence of a fool, or you will not discern words of knowledge.” Continue reading “Don’t Be a Foolish Thinker” →

What should a preacher be known for? What is the purpose of preaching? In a day with multimedia special effects, drama and major productions, preaching and preachers have fallen on hard times. Many churches have canceled Sunday evening services because people won’t come back to hear the preacher. With the glut of TV preachers, the country preacher struggles and suffers when his people compare him to “Brother Spit and Polish.” What’s a called man to do? Continue reading “A Word for Preachers — But You Can Listen” →