This coming weekend provides us a significant moment to pause and reflect upon sacrifice. Memorial Day began as a time when our nation stopped to remember those who died in the service of our nation, and it continues to offer that opportunity for us. In many ways, the day has a somber tone. Too...
Fellowship. Relationship. Connection. I am convinced that God has wired our hearts to experience these realities in the context of the church. Within an authentic community of faith, we find other individuals who share our victories, struggles, and values. Frankly, I know of no other...
God is moving! Can you sense it? Or maybe you even see it! I know I certainly witnessed His work this past Sunday as we committed to send out our high school seniors and as we commissioned our college summer missionaries. Whether entering a university classroom or a work office or an...
Last Sunday was to be a celebration of life and resurrection. After all, it was Easter Sunday! And for most Christians around the world, it indeed proved festive and joyful. Yet, explosions in Sri Lanka ripped through the celebrations and left tragedy in the streets. Three churches and three...
No doubt, the last few days have been trying for our families, our church, and our community. The recent tornado ripped through the Ruston area and even reached as far as Downsville with its devastating consequences. Houses have been destroyed, trees uprooted, businesses smattered; and even more...
“But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. . . . And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we...
On the last Sunday of His life, Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem by the crowd’s cry of “Hosanna” and proclaimed to be the “Son of David.” Little did the multitude realize that the Messiah had entered the holy city with the primary purpose of laying down His life as...
Since I was a boy, my Sunday School teachers would talk about the Apostle Paul and his missionary journeys, and they would even adorn their classroom walls with various maps of his travels. Obviously, I soaked up what they said (for I was a diligent, young student!), but the places seemed so...
Reaching people for Christ; that should be the aim of every church; and frankly stated, it should be the personal mission of every believer. This Sunday, we will be both motivated and challenged to accomplish our task in a variety of ways. For example, Tim Elmore will join us for our Sunday...
As you read this article, sixty-nine of my closest friends (at least for now!) and I are following the “Footsteps of Paul.” I should say that we at least are retracing his steps through Greece, with quick stops in Ephesus, Crete, etc. Paul carried many titles: the apostle, the...
