New Series: From This Side of the Pulpit; A reflection of a preacher from his side of the pulpit. It was June, 2001 that the Lord’s people at Eastside Baptist Church invited me to become their pastor. While reflecting over the past 14 years of preaching I decided to hunt down a file of hand written…
We Stand Ready to Preach This Gospel
Dear Twin Falls and the Magic Valley, The born-again, repenters of unspeakable sins, who gather at 204 Eastland Drive North in Twin Falls, Idaho cried out to Jesus who delivered us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10) and found a solid ground to stand upon. By the grace of God we found a…
An Update About New Horizon Home
It is past time for an update on the ministry of Eastside Baptist Church in Port-au-Prince, Haiti at our girls home. A lot of things have been happening. Let me give a brief update with short testimony and a few pictures. The faithful at Eastside Baptist Church continue steadfastly praying for all the needs to be…
Adoption of Worldly Methods are Insidious Inside the Church
The entire discussion panel at the Baptist21 meeting last week alongside of the SBC annual convention was very helpful. I recommend all ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ listen to the entire set of questions relating to 21st century Baptists. The majority of the discussion was related to how a church today stays true to her…
The Jurisdiction of God’s Law
I’ve been (increasingly) asked what I will do when (if) the Supreme Court’s opinion is against biblical/traditional marriage next week. (I think all of us should be prepared to give an answer.) I’ve thought on this… Will any Supreme Court opinion somehow alter or change my duty to God? Should I speak more or less…
The Weakness of God
“…and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” (1 Corinthians 1:25b) It is strange to use the term “weakness” when speaking about an all powerful God. It almost feels blasphemous. I’m not at all comfortable with saying that until I understand it in the powerful conclusion; “…the weakness of God is stronger than men.”…
Hate Darkness, Love Light
Saturday (June 20, 2015) in the Twin Falls – Times News my monthly column was published entitled “We Are Like Dead Men”. This opportunity in the local paper is one that I don’t take lightly. For the past several years (and my hope for as long as they will let me) I’ve written in a…
I’ll Miss that Three Minute Conversation
Disclaimer: I realize that when speaking about someone who has died there is a tendency to speak with a more grandiose tone than real reality and a tendency to overlook a flaw to exaggerate an endearing attribute. Read this short Father’s Day tribute with that filter. My dad was never known as a man filled…
A Good Day to Be the Church
This week in Columbus, OH: Bold resolutions proposed and accepted by messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention. They are kind of lengthy at times but insightful and helpful. If you are looking for a church that is more interested in looking like the culture than submitting to the authority of God you may want to…
Living in John Bunyan’s “Vanity Fair”
It is the allegorical ancient town of Vanity Fair that John Bunyan describes an atmosphere where “jugglings, cheats, games, plays, fools, apes, knaves, rogues, and that of all sorts,” were happening all day and all night. As well as, “thefts, murders, adulteries, false-swearers, and that of a blood-red color.” Is there any connection that a…