Enjoying the Journey
Posts Tagged ‘love’
Living in Love
This morning Tammy and I had the joy of participating in a special couple’s brunch and marriage seminar. Like many other holidays, Valentine’s Day provides an emphasis that should be remembered year round. Husbands, we are to love our wives (and show it) every day! People around the world are speaking the language of love…at least for a day. But true love is not limited to a day or expressed only in words. The God of love intended that His children would live in His love all the time. Jesus even said that this would be the distinguishing characteristic of His followers: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”…
Read MoreThe Gospel Answer to Racial Prejudice
Born in the 1970’s, I just missed the civil rights movement of the previous decade. My friends and I read about the injustices and racial tensions in our history books but, gratefully saw little of it in the area where we were raised. I thank God that my parents and those who influenced me modeled a love and respect for all people. Now, as my son is approaching adulthood, it seems that the racial divide has become prominent again in so many places. Our world is full of a hatred that could only be fueled by the devil who came to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). And only the love of God can cut through that hatred. When Jesus…
Read MoreA Moment for The Gospel
Earlier this week I posted 5 Books to Read on Witnessing. In this season of “social distancing” and health fears it is possible that we could all lose sight of the greatest danger – souls being eternally lost. It would be a tragedy if, while we give attention to physical things, we neglect spiritual realities. People are dying every day in their sins and God’s people have the cure. A few days ago I was preaching in another state. The pastor and a couple of ministry interns said that they were going out to speak to people door to door about the Lord. They were, of course, using every precaution and speaking to people only on the front steps of…
Read MoreA New Book On An Eternal Truth
Do you have a difficult time loving some people? Do you struggle to express love to others? Does it seem that even with those you love that your love falls short in so many ways? I am convinced that one of the greatest needs in families, churches, our nation is a fresh understanding and experience of the love of God. We live in a hateful world and people can be so very harsh. Only God’s love can cut through the hardness of sinful hearts. Some time ago we made available an adaptation of Henry Drummond’s classic work on 1 Corinthians 13. I hope you have downloaded your copy and read it through. You may even want to read it on…
Read MorePodcast Series For Valentine’s Week
Our world has some mixed up ideas about love! The devil and the flesh always try to pervert what is perfect. Only the God who is love can teach us how to love. God’s love is deep and wide. It is inexhaustible and infinite – because God is. It is greater than our sin. Greater than our conflicts and divisions. Greater than our prejudices and anger. The further we go with the Lord the deeper we enter in to His love. Today we conclude part 1 of our podcast series on the Great Journeys Of the Bible. (If you would like to listen to the first 25 episodes on the journeys of the Old Testament you may access the archive…
Read MoreMarriage And Friendship
This week Tammy and I are speaking at two different couples’ retreats. It is wonderful just to be together and a privilege to invest in others truth that has been invested in us. Marriage is one of God’s greatest classrooms. In it He teaches us so much about ourselves, about Himself, and about one another. Recently as I read through the Song of Solomon a particular phrase captured my attention. The bride said of her groom, “This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (Song of Solomon 5:16). Of course we know this is a beautiful picture of our heavenly bridegroom, the Lover of our souls, the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves us with an everlasting love and He…
Read MoreThe Lost Art Of Christian Hospitality
Every week I have the privilege of being hosted by wonderful Christians. While there is “no place like home” it is also true that there is “nothing like being with God’s people.” It’s more than friendship – it’s family. Recently as I spent time with some very gracious people I was reminded of the necessity and purpose of Christian hospitality. In the ancient world to open your home was to open your heart. The Apostle Paul repeatedly referenced the kindness that was shown to him on his missionary travels. Christian hospitality is more than merely meeting human needs – it is showing the love of God. The Lord Jesus Christ was frequently hosted in homes and blessed by the kindness of…
Read MoreMy Wife’s Ministry
My favorite traveling companion is the one that God is allowing me to make this journey through life with. Every place is better with her. Every day brighter. Tammy has been for the last nearly twenty five years my best friend, over twenty one of those as my wife. She is God’s best gift to me outside of Christ. Our first date was at a college Valentine banquet in 1995 and she has been my sweetheart every Valentine’s day since then. When I travel to meetings without her the people always hear about her. It is easy to talk about the one you love. Sometimes people will ask about my wife’s ministry: Does she like to speak to ladies? How…
Read MoreWhat Can We Do?
The bad news and news of bad people seems to keep piling up. Like many of you I am sickened this week by the blatant rebellion in our country against what is true and good and decent. Our beloved nation is quickly moving toward the judgment of God. We need a spiritual awakening! One of the dangers for God’s people in our culture is allowing conservatism to distract us from Christ. Too much talk radio and political commentary clouds the mind and steals the heart. Be informed. Stay active. Vote righteously. But keep your eyes on Jesus! Politicians change and what is accepted as both legal and moral changes with time. Only the Word of God never changes. Root yourself…
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…
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