Where Scars Become Stars

Archaeologists digging in the remains of a school for imperial pages in Rome found a third century picture of a boy standing, his hand raised, worshiping a figure on a cross. At first glance, the figure looks like a man; but if you raise your eyes a bit, you see this man has the head of a donkey. Scrawled underneath in the writing of a young person are the words, "Alexamenos worships his God."

A Spiritual Package Deal

Maturity teaches us that often we put the focus on the wrong things. When I stand before the throne of the Lord Jesus, my ministry will not be judged so much by what I have done as by what I might have done and how much I could have done.

Graduating from Hard Knock U!

Some things we learn only by experience! I never will forget the pain, but far more important, I will never forget the lessons. The memory of a broken heart can remain for a lifetime, but the things we learn in the University of Hard Knocks are good for eternity.

Why We Invite Them

"Why in the world do you give an invitation at the end of every service?" The questioner, like me, is a Presbyterian minister. There was a hint of scorn in his voice as he asked. I could understand. We both know that such invitations are not automatically a part of typical Presbyterian worship. I suspect that perhaps only one of us knows this has not always been the case.

Six Flags over Jesus!

If entertainment is worship, then Six Flags and Disney worship better than we do every single Sunday. The most urgent need in the church of Jesus Christ today is less entertainment and better preaching. Yet the reality is that often preaching is downplayed to make room for more special effects. This runs contrary to the plain teaching of the Bible and church history.