WOULD MISSOURIANS VOTE TO INCLUDE THE UNBORN ON THE 9/11 MEMORIAL?

WOULD MISSOURIANS VOTE TO INCLUDE THE UNBORN ON THE 9/11 MEMORIAL?

As the lost lives were counted up in the tragic aftermath of September 11th, a decision was made to include the unborn on the 9/11 Memorial. 

And that’s one way to think about what Missourians will say with our vote on MO Amendment 3. 

EVERY ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE THEORY REQUIRES FAITH

EVERY ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE THEORY REQUIRES FAITH

Every theory of the origin of the universe—whether secular or biblical—requires faith. 

Why is this true? Because none of us were there as eyewitnesses when the universe began.

When it comes to creation, the scientific method is pretty limited.

And where first-hand, evidence ends, faith begins.

TIPS FOR INTERPRETING STORIES FROM THE BOOK OF GENESIS

TIPS FOR INTERPRETING STORIES FROM THE BOOK OF GENESIS

God has given the book of Genesis to us as a story.

The biblical genre of story, however, doesn’t always give us the theological points wrapped up in a present with a bow. So what should we do?

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR INTERPRETING STORIES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOK OF GENESIS…

BE ENCOURAGED! WE CAN LEARN TO PRAY

BE ENCOURAGED! WE CAN LEARN TO PRAY

Simply put, prayer is having a conversation with God.

It’s been said that “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”

In some ways, then, prayer should be the easiest, most natural thing we do—as natural as breathing.

But if prayer is a struggle for us, take heart! We can learn to pray!

HOW A PASTOR PLANS HIS PREACHING CALENDAR FOR THE COMING YEAR

HOW A PASTOR PLANS HIS PREACHING CALENDAR FOR THE COMING YEAR

As a Senior Pastor, I try to spend the end of each year planning the next year’s Sunday sermons.

It helps both my brain and heart to begin the next calendar year with a plan in hand. 

Included in this blog is a step-by-step process for planning a year of pulpit work and a look at the tentative sermon plan for 2024 at First Baptist Church in Clinton, MO.

THREE ENCOURAGING TRUTHS ABOUT PRAYER

THREE ENCOURAGING TRUTHS ABOUT PRAYER

Three truths about prayer from Luke 11:1-2.

“Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty.” E. M. Bounds

Prayer is talking TO the Father THROUGH the Son in the POWER of the Spirit.

"ONLY ONE LIFE"

"ONLY ONE LIFE"

“Only what’s done for Christ will last”

As a teen, C. T. Studd became famous as one of the best cricket players in England. After a life-changing experience, he asked, “What is all the fame and flattery worth… when a man comes to face eternity?”

His poem "Only One Life" has stirred the hearts of believers for generations.

SURVIVING THE STRUGGLE BUS

SURVIVING THE STRUGGLE BUS

Sometimes, it’s a thin line between riding the struggle bus and feeling run over by it.

Ever been there? Me, too.

The letter of James in the Bible offers us a helpful perspective for surviving the struggle bus (James 1:2-4). To remain joyful in times of trial, we must hold fast to what we DO know.

THREE REASONS GOD SPEAKS (AND HOW TO HEAR HIM BETTER)

THREE REASONS GOD SPEAKS (AND HOW TO HEAR HIM BETTER)

A meme making the rounds on social media reads,

“My wife just stopped me and said, ‘You weren’t even listening, were you?’ I thought, ‘That’s a weird way to start a conversation.’”

Not only does that challenge husbands to listen better to their spouses, but it makes me wonder if we sometimes do the same thing to God. THE QUESTION ISN’T “DOES GOD SPEAK?” BUT “DO WE HEAR?” To hear God better, consider three things…

R.E.A.D. & P.R.A.Y. || A DOABLE DAILY DEVO

R.E.A.D. & P.R.A.Y. || A DOABLE DAILY DEVO

The biblical Gospels tell us that time alone with God the Father was a high priority for Jesus.

There are many ways to spend time with God through His Word. Here’s a method that has worked for me. It’s not rocket science, clever, or even unique (Eccles. 1:9), but perhaps you’ll find it helpful to use in your own times with the Lord.

THE CANARIES IN THE CHURCH MINE

THE CANARIES IN THE CHURCH MINE

THE IDIOM “CANARY IN A COAL MINE” REFERS TO SOMEONE OR SOMETHING THAT IS AN EARLY WARNING SIGN OF DANGER.

Wouldn’t it be great if pastors had a similar early-warning system for then a church has drifted from her Great Commission calling? I may have discovered one…

"LITURGY FOR GRIEVING A NATIONAL TRAGEDY" (Douglas McKelvey)

"LITURGY FOR GRIEVING A NATIONAL TRAGEDY" (Douglas McKelvey)

My heart broke yet again when I saw the headline about the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

In the face of tragedies such as these, I struggle to find the right words to pray… I’ve found the words in Douglas McKelvey’s “Liturgy for Grieving a National Tragedy” helpful.

PRACTICE DOES NOT MAKE PERFECT

PRACTICE DOES NOT MAKE PERFECT

Practice is the process of developing and refining a skill. From sports to music to Christianity, success requires practice. Practicing something wrongly, however, just further ingrains poor behavior. Eventually, practice will make those bad behaviors permanent in our lives. Only improving how you practice will bring improvement.

ARE YOU A MISSIONARY OR AN IMPOSTER?

ARE YOU A MISSIONARY OR AN IMPOSTER?

“Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.”

I don’t know about you, but that statement from Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) punches me in the gut. It makes me squirm in my soul. Have you ever experienced that internal tug-of-war between whether you are a missionary or an imposter? Is there a solution to this?