On Purpose!
On Purpose! These are days of immense confusion in our culture because sin always brings disorder! One of the most devastating consequences of this confusion is its residual effect on...
Family Night
Family Night Friday night was family night at our house growing up. Dad traveled for business through the week and, once he started preaching, preached in area churches many nights....
Millstones in Capernaum
“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him...
A Simple Way to Explain the Gospel to Children
Few things are more important than children hearing and understanding the gospel. The Lord Jesus Christ openly received little children (Matthew 19:14), and taught that every one who is saved...
Hymn History: Safe in the Arms of Jesus
“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” – Deuteronomy 33:27...
The Scariest Job In the World
Every job has its drawbacks and even its dangers. But, what is the scariest job in the world? It is a job that many of us have! The scariest job...
Recent Reads & Recommendations
A few nights ago I had the privilege after a meeting to spend some time with a group of young preachers. We had a wonderful conversation on a range of...
5 Books to Read On Marriage & Family (And One I Am Starting To Read)
This week I had the privilege of speaking in a special seminar on the Christian home. The people in attendance were young and old, single and married, people with children...
For Those Who Love Children
"Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world." The greatest way to impact the future of a nation is to reach another generation of children. More than...
Obedient Children
Every father and mother knows that one of the greatest joys in life is seeing your children obey - immediately, cheerfully, and when they don't even know that you are...
7 Truths My Dad Taught Me
Tonight I had the joy of sharing these thoughts with our church family. Perhaps they will be of some help to your family. My dad has been one of my...
God Hates Abortion
A pastor that is being mightily used of God told me this week that doctors had advised his parents to abort him. Today, I am thinking not only of the...
Guest Post: “Reaching Children”
Twenty five years ago I shared a college dormitory with a friend who would become my brother-in-law. Jason Caldwell and his family have committed themselves to reaching and teaching children...
Thank God For Christian Education
The last two days I have been speaking in Michigan at a wonderful Christian Educator's Convention. It has been a privilege to spend time with men and women who are...
How To Help Your Kids Make The Most Of School Days
All over the country young people are returning to school. Our own children start back this week. New beginnings are a wonderful opportunity to set so many things in motion....
“Thank You, God, For 13 Years”
Today is my son's 13th birthday. We have had a wonderful time celebrating this week as a family. How could we have three teenagers?! I asked Grant to lead us...
Family Worship
Did you know that the first time the word "worship" is used in the Bible is in the context of the home? On top of Mount Moriah Abraham taught Isaac...
GUEST POST: “A Goodly Heritage”
My first guest author this year is my pastor and hero. He has been my best friend all of my life. I am grateful for dad's testimony of faithfulness. He...
“Thank You For Loving Our Country With Me”
I wrote this post while ministering in another country. No matter where I travel in this world, I can boldly proclaim that God loves all people and Christ died for...
The Lord’s Love for Little Ones
Recently, I had the joy of spending a few minutes with a group of children who have given and prayed for our upcoming gospel work in India. What an encouragement...
A Lesson From A Student
A few days ago I was talking with a school teacher who has a number of special education children in her class. As we spoke about the importance of this...
How To Keep the Next Generation
A fellow preacher and personal friend asked me recently how I believed we could do a better job of retaining young people in our churches. It is a problem of...
A Simple Idea for Families
Families are busier than they have ever been. One of the most challenging things to do as a spouse or parent is consistently read the Bible with your family. I...
Family Vacations
In a few weeks school will be out and summer will be in full swing. This is the time of year that young people (and their parents!) begin counting the...
10 Suggestions for Those Who Work With Youth
Thank God for faithful youth workers. While raising our children I realized more than ever that no one raises their children alone. My wife and I praise God for every...
How to Make This A Great School Year
Our children have just begun a new year at a new school. We have been blessed to have had our children in a wonderful school through the years and are...
The Kindest Thing You Can Do for Your Preacher
Recently someone asked me what the kindest thing was that had been done for me as I traveled from church to church. That was easy. Pastors and people have been...
A Word to the In-Laws
I know. The title has real potential. A preacher friend of mine recently said to me, "I have no problem with mother-in-laws. I love my wife's mother-in-law!" (For the record,...
What I Learned from a Child About Singing Hymns
You can learn a lot from a child. Sometimes those we are teaching become our teachers. This happened to me again recently. As I walked through a certain place I...
Happy Homes
One of the most wonderful gifts that my parents gave to me growing up was a happy home. Yes, they had rules. No, we did not get to do whatever...
3 Things You Could Write Today
Writing is work! It takes time and more mental energy than most tasks. I am currently reading the biography of Jonathan Edwards. Edwards was one of the greatest theological minds...
The Years Are Passing Too Quickly
I know, I know - I sound like an old man. Suddenly all of the things I heard the "old people" say years ago are making so much sense! Last...
What to Do When You Have Questions
What to Do When You Have Questions Questions are opportunities to teach. God gave explicit instructions to Israel about what to say when your children ask (Deuteronomy 6:20-25). And ask...
The Rising Death Toll
I enjoy laughter and love life. I wish that every thought could be a happy one. But that is not the world in which we live. Ours is a day...
The Power of Parents
As I sit in my study at home there are two pictures of my parents on the desk in front of me. One is a photograph taken on the night...
A Message Christian Young People Desperately Need
It is my privilege to speak to young people on a regular basis. I have to admit that they are my favorite group to preach to! You always know where...
For Christian Young People: You ARE Missing Out!
"A prudent wife is from the Lord." This verse means more to me the longer I am married. Tammy and I were driving along in the car recently. The kids...
Family Devotions and Spiritual Awakenings
"I will get married in a few months. What advice do you have for me?" Working with hundreds of college students these are words I have heard many times. As...
Why I Believe in Local Church Youth Ministry
Why I Believe in Local Church Youth Ministry For the last twenty years I have had the joy to be involved in youth ministry in some way. It is the...
A Word for Young People About Parents
Like most children, when I was very young, I memorized the Ten Commandments. The fifth commandment says, “Honour thy father and thy mother.” It is repeated eight times in the...
Acres of Diamonds
When I was thirteen years old an elderly preacher in the mountains of West Virginia gave me a book. It was old and dusty. There were no pictures and at...
Aquila and Priscilla: A Biblical Marriage
Aquila and Priscilla: A Biblical Marriage God’s design is for families to serve Christ together in a New Testament church. As we find our place in the Lord’s work, every...
The Urgency of Youth
My favorite group of people to speak to is young people. There is something special about their energy, their authenticity. Some time back I was preaching to a fine group...
Lessons God Is Teaching Me about My Family – Part 2
Home is the greatest classroom on earth...and not just for the children. Every day there is more to learn, and our failures serve to remind us that we have not...
Lessons God Is Teaching Me about My Family – Part 1
The kids are growing up so quickly. At the same time I feel like I am getting old so quickly! Life moves along at a rapid pace and God is...
Teens for Christ
One of the greatest privileges of my life has been the opportunity to work with young people. Youth ministry is not a stepping stone to another ministry. It is the...
Just for Men
Just for Men “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 In a day of effeminate men, I am more grateful than...
Lessons My Children Are Teaching Me
Children are often the best teachers..."out of the mouth of babes." Tammy and I want to teach our kids everything we possibly can, but I realize that often God is...
Help! I Have A Teenager?!?
This past Sunday our oldest daughter, Morgan, turned thirteen. Is that possible? Where have the years gone? Tammy and I are very grateful to God for all of our children...and...
