I was busy getting ready for a committee meeting, and my cell phone rang. As I answered, it was Bill Patterson, one of our missionaries and a long-time friend. It was a blessing to speak with him, but then the blessing went through the roof. “I’m here in Tepoztlan with Luis Rojas, and he would…
You hear a lot about pastors and deacons. Some good, some bad, and some, well, simply ugly. I must say, though, that I have always been blessed and encouraged down through the years by the ministry of our deacons here at Berean. Many men have served, and I have seen the Lord use each one. …
I read it at the beginning, and I couldn’t move past it for a while. I did end up reading the rest of the passage, but that first phrase of Psalm 97 permeates and gives purpose to every verse of the Psalm. And it should do the same in every moment of our day. It’s…
Sometimes it’s not “what,” it’s “which one?” As I approach this note each Friday, I admit that there are times I have to find that “what do I write this week?” There are other times that the right topic is right there and there’s no doubt. And then there are the times like today. Over…
In a conversation the other night, we talked about decisions for the Lord that we’ve made. Some are made at camp, some in a revival or even a regular service, and others during a personal time with God. The decisions are genuine, wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit and confirmed by God’s holy…
I believe it’s worth sharing again. While going through some older files this week, I came across a “Pastor’s Heart” from this month 5 years ago. It was written about a week after the Supreme Court sadly ruled favorably on same-sex marriage. As I read through it again and in light of the recent and ongoing…
My wife shared it with me the other day, and it really caught my attention. It was a simple statement – “The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes and say, ‘Help me’” (Billy Graham). …
You read this, and you read that. You hear one thing and then something totally opposite. This opinion, that opinion. And, oh yes, it seems that everyone has an expert or someone with firsthand knowledge to back them up. You wonder what to believe and whom to trust. Have you felt like that lately? Be…
There are several topics swirling around in my head this morning. I’m not going to mention them, because it would leave no time to actually share one. But here’s the one that I can’t get away from. It’s been at the forefront of my mind the last day or so, and I hope you will…
“That ye may know.” These words from 1 John 5:13 were refreshed in my mind this week, and what a blessing they are! I don’t have to wonder. Don’t have to guess. Don’t have to wishfully hope. I can know that I have eternal life. Indeed, it’s a humbling truth, because that assurance has nothing…