I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 I had a good conversation with my mother yesterday, and she reminded me of something I had forgotten. Several years ago, I preached my grandfather's funeral. It was quite an event. People tightly filled each [...]
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 From an early age, our parents and teachers teach us to be a friend to others. I can remember hearing my mom tell me, "To have a friend, you have to be a friend." I'm pretty sure there [...]
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 The longer I live, the more I understand the importance of relationships. Life is about relationships we build with God and with others. For example, it is tough for me to understand how long-time friends can simply turn [...]
Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually! Psalm 105:4 When my wife, Lari, and I started dating, it completely changed my life for the good. She was a student at Winthrop University, and I was a student at the University of South Carolina. I burned up the road from Columbia to [...]
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 I sure hope the Steelers win the Super Bowl this year! I hope it doesn't rain today. Hopefully, I won't get the flu this year. For what things do you desire? We put out fertilizer on our [...]
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart Psalm 119:2 Fishing used to be a passion for me. Because I lived near a lake and had a boat, I would go fishing nearly every week. Fishing taught me so much about life and patience. It also taught me [...]
I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 The very first verse I learned after becoming a Christ-follower was this verse. It's incredible that I still remember learning it. But it seems what you learn early in life sticks with you. At first, it [...]
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in Him. Nahum 1:7 The city of Ninevah was soon to be taken captive by the Assyrian army. Their culture had diminished, and the destruction was quickly coming. That was Nahum's cry to the people. But with [...]
You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:43-44 Seriously? Love who? Pray for who? Years ago, when I chose to follow the Lord and His call on my life, [...]
But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:39 I was probably 13 years old. I had a neighbor whose front yard connected with mine and made the perfect football field, except for that one tree we always had to dodge. But for the most part, [...]