A year ago (July, 2012), Jordan & I accompanied my friend (and fellow pastor here at BHBC), Mike Lewis, to Morocco. Mike has been working with these wonderful people for a number of years. Last year, we had an amazing trip getting to know the people, building relationships with them, and praying for them. Jordan, … Continue reading From Morocco With Love
Month: June 2013
That’s Why They Call It the Present
No doubt, you've heard the saying that goes something like this: "Live neither in the past nor the future. Focus on what you have in the now. The 'now' is a 'gift' - that's why it's called the 'present." A sobering line from the play "Our Town" says, "Few people enjoy life while they're living … Continue reading That’s Why They Call It the Present
Truth vs. Lies
In times of distress and acute pain, our "bent-out-of-the-shape-God-intended" minds seem to gravitate toward lies rather than truth. (At least, mine does.) Like flaming arrows, our minds are battered with the unrelenting assaults of the enemy, filling our minds with all things untrue i.e. “Life is hopeless now,” “I’ll never know joy again,” and, for … Continue reading Truth vs. Lies
Soul Dance
When interpreting Scripture (and most any literature) correctly, “context” helps greatly. Someone once said “a picture says a thousand words.” True - but not always. To this day, five centuries after its creation, da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” still perplexes experts in regard to the context surrounding the painting i.e. “Who is the woman in the … Continue reading Soul Dance
The Lord Gives….The Lord Takes Away
A friend of mine snapped a pic of me leading the music yesterday morning during our Sunday Morning Worship Service here at Super Summer. Notice the lyrics on the screen. My 19 year old son died one month ago. I have a choice to make. I can curse God. Or, I can trust that He … Continue reading The Lord Gives….The Lord Takes Away
What’s In a Name?
If you grew up in ancient Israel, your name represented a lot. Every name meant something theologically significant. After all, the Hebrews were "God's people." The Old Testament name "Joshua" means "The Lord is Salvation". More importantly, it corresponds directly to the New Testament name "Jesus." The other day, to help change the decor in … Continue reading What’s In a Name?
Common Grace
There's a theological term used by scholars to describe the common good in all people: "common grace." For example, one doesn't have to be a follower of Christ to exhibit kindness, patience, love, etc. So where does that "charity in us all" come from? Scholars attribute "common grace" to the Bible telling us that all … Continue reading Common Grace
When Jordan Met C.S. Lewis
One of the last events Jordan and I attended together was a Lecture on C.S. Lewis given by renowned Irish Christian apologist, Dr. Alister McGrath, at LCU in Lubbock in April, 2013, one month before Jordan passed away. Jordan loved C.S. Lewis and all things Narnia. In fact, Jordan's world took on a Narnian vibe, … Continue reading When Jordan Met C.S. Lewis
I Ask Great Things of a Great God
"O God, destroy in me every lofty thought. Break my pride to pieces...annihilate each clinging shred of self-righteousness.... Nothing exceeds Your power.... Infinite is Your might; boundless is Your love; limitless is Your grace; glorious is Your name! Let angels sing for sinners repenting, prodigals restored, satan's captives released, broken hearts healed, the discouraged cheered....I … Continue reading I Ask Great Things of a Great God
Why We Pray
"We do not know all that Jesus gained from His times in prayer, but we do know this: a life without prayer is a powerless life." (L.B. Cowman, "Streams in the Desert") Much prayer - much power. Little prayer - little power. No prayer - no power. nw