Enjoying the Journey
Biography
5 Books To Read On Great Leaders
Leadership has become a buzzword in our culture. Without a doubt there can be an unhealthy, man-centered, humanistic emphasis on leadership. Yet a careful student of history must admit that God leads men to lead others and, at critical times in civilization, He raises up leaders to make a difference in the world. Dr. Lee Roberson was famous for saying, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.” Each of us could tell the story of different leaders who made a contribution to our heritage or personally influenced our lives. Here are a handful of leaders who I have enjoyed reading about and learning from… William Wilberforce – A Hero for Humanity by Kevin Belmonte (Wilberforce was used of God to bring…
Read More5 Books To Read On Powerful Preachers
This is hard for me. The lives of so many faithful ministers have ministered to me through the years! Yet as I look at my shelves and consider the ones that have had the greatest impact on my life there are a few that stand out. Hudson Taylor and Maria by J.C. Pollock (We all know the story of the pioneer missionary Hudson Taylor, but do you know the story of his wife? Maria’s partnership with her husband allowed the China Inland Mission to reach China with the gospel. Read this book.) A Passion for Souls by Lyle W. Dorsett (There are hundreds of books written on the life and ministry of D.L. Moody but this volume has been one…
Read MoreHelp For Life And For Death
He was only 39 years old when he died, but he looked much older. War will do that to a man. His death by human logic was unnecessary and untimely – he was accidentally shot by his own men. Yet Stonewall Jackson would see the providence of God in the details. My travels this week have taken me to the area known as the most bloody region of the Civil War. Not far from where I write these words General Stonewall Jackson, and countless others, were shot at the Battle of Chancellorsville. Jackson’s left arm was amputated, but within eight days he had developed pneumonia. Jackson was carried to a field hospital in Guinea Station, Virginia where he took his…
Read MoreA Guest Post & Special Invitation
Bob Crichton and I had the joy of laboring together in the Lord’s work for many years. He has been a faithful friend and spiritual counselor to me. Brother Crichton is a Spirit-filled man who walks with God. He has studied for many years the life of D.L. Moody and is full of helpful insights for our own generation. I hope you enjoy his brief post and will plan to join us this summer for an personal look at the ministry of Evangelist D.L. Moody… For forty years it has been a great joy of my life to study the life of D. L. Moody. I have over one hundred biographies and books about his life. When you study his…
Read MoreGreat Minds Or Great Hearts?
Early this week I was in Fort Myers, Florida. One afternoon between meetings I had the joy of visiting Thomas Edison’s and Henry Ford’s winter homes. It was fascinating to read about the lives of these famous innovators. And a little sad. As I sat watching a film about the bitter relationship between Henry Ford and his only son Edsel, I thought what a waste a great mind is without a great heart. Our world is full of great minds. Scientists, doctors, entrepreneurs, inventors, philosophers, teachers, leaders all make their mark on history. Yet too often when you read the personal history of great thinkers you discover that something is tragically missing in the deepest part of their lives. It…
Read MoreSeeing Through The Eyes Of The Blind
It has been my privilege to have several blind friends. As a college student I met a blind young man who had read several times through the Scriptures using his braille Bible. One of my greatest encouragers now is a blind missionary. Indeed, in the words of Fanny Crosby, “I sometimes think that blind people see more than their friends who have the power of vision.” As I flew home from a meeting just a few days ago I had the pleasure of reading the autobiography of Fanny Crosby. Fanny’s hymns have found their way into great hymn books and, more importantly into the hearts of those who know and love Christ. Blinded as a young girl, she glimpsed with…
Read MoreA Man Who Learned To Enjoy The Journey
They were called “the Big Red Machine” when I was a little boy. It was the days before the baseball strike and before Pete Rose was kicked out of the game for gambling. The Cincinnati Reds were my team and I loved to watch them. The names of Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, and later Eric Davis and Barry Larkin are etched in my memory. To be honest I do not remember the name of pitcher Frank Pastore. Over the last few days I have been reading his biography, Shattered, which is published by Focus on the Family. This is not your typical “success story.” The book is a powerful record of God’s grace and how the Lord…
Read MoreMy New Favorite Bible Character
Do you have a favorite Bible character? Each one has some message for us. They may serve as a positive example or a negative example. At different times, they may be both! Over the last few months I have been spending a lot of time with John the Baptist. He has come alive to me. He is the greatest man born of woman according to Jesus. That’s quite an endorsement. Yet he had his struggles. Even his questions. There are a number of wonderful things written about the life of John the Baptist. One of my personal favorites was written by F.B. Meyer. It has made me think of so many truths. I have decided that our next “Enjoying the…
Read MoreImproving Your Devotional Life
Just today over lunch the topic of the devotional life came up. Let’s be honest. We all struggle with it. Not just consistency, but truly having a meaningful time with God. How can my quiet time become a true meeting with the Lord? In college I was given a copy of George Muller’s Soul Nourishment First. It has been a joy to share it with many people through the years, and I find myself going back to its principles again and again. I am posting it below in its entirety. It is a longer article than most but it can be read in less than five minutes. It will be time well spent. I am praying that the Holy Spirit will…
Read MoreLincoln’s Letter: April 7, 1865
In just a few days Lincoln would “belong to the ages.” His life, like the Civil War, was soon to end. The final stages of battle were underway. Lincoln has always been my favorite president. On my desk are two volumes of Lincoln’s letters and speeches from 1832-1865. From time to time I enjoy seeing what Lincoln wrote or spoke on a particular day. On the closing pages I have found an amazing entry. They are words written only eight days before his race was finished. In it is more than a message for his favorite general. Here we find a message for us all… Head Quarters Armies of the United States City-Point, Lieut Gen. Grant. …
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