Last week while driving to the memorial service for Jeannie Elliff, I got a call from a church member. I could tell by the tone that the conversation was serious in nature. The member said they felt led to give $100,000 in memory of Jeannie to the International Mission Board’s offering, praying this gift would be a catalyst for other members and churches to engage in financial support of missions on a whole new level. Continue reading
Words are inadequate. Even the best words seem to fall like rocks on the ground. When you know that someone you love is gone, it’s hard to put into words the memories and emotions that swarm your heart. You’ll have to forgive my rambling thoughts as I try to find the words to express the deepest places in my heart.
On Monday, July 20, Terri and I had the privilege of flying to Oklahoma City to see our dear friends, Tom and Jeannie Elliff. Jeannie battled cancer, off and on, for nine years. Yet she marched through this battle like a graceful warrior. Terri and I tell folks that watching Tom and Jeannie on this journey was an experience in watching how believers are supposed to live life, face death, and overcome it. Continue reading
Having been a teenager during the Vietnam War, I am very familiar with the pain, controversy, disrespect, and lack of appreciation our Vietnam vets have faced – many who were drafted, many who volunteered. There were fellow students from my high school who went off to Vietnam and never returned.
“Faith of our Fathers” is a powerful tool to honor our veterans, while at the same time presenting a clear gospel message of the power of grace and forgiveness. The film features many familiar faces, including Alex Kendrick (Sherwood Pictures and Kendrick Brothers Productions), Ken Bevel (retired Marine captain, Fireproof, Courageous), and Kevin Downes (Downes Brothers Entertainment, Courageous, Moms Night Out).
Buy a ticket for yourself and your family – and give one to a veteran to thank them for their service!
The days in which we live could cause one to be anxious. We find ourselves unsure about domestic policies, foreign policies and the economy. We don’t know if the bailouts are going to work. We don’t know how all the changes in the auto industry will shake out. We are uncertain about what might happen in the Middle East. Continue reading “The Weeks Ahead”
I am concerned about the lack of understanding of the Bible in the church today. We seem to know less and less about things that are essential and eternal. While we spend time on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, text messages and email, we seem to make excuses for not finding time to be in God’s Word. Yet, the Word is the only thing that is eternal. Continue reading “The Living Word”