“Steven, you got a telephone call,” my dad announced one Saturday morning. He was oddly excited about it, eager to tell me the whole story. I had just crawled out of bed, a college student coming in the kitchen at 9 o’clock looking for some cereal. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” “Well, he calledContinue reading “DISCIPLESHIP: Grow With G.R.A.M.P.S. Deuteronomy 2.”
Category Archives: Discipleship/Spiritual Growth/Disciplines of a Godly Life
Lord, Teach Us to Fast. Ezra 8:21,23.
Every Sunday morning my father doled out an allowance to me of $3.50. I then put two quarters into an envelope for the offering plate. The envelopes (similar to the one pictured) were pre-printed with boxes to check off. As a child, I could not check all the boxes, but they reminded me of theContinue reading “Lord, Teach Us to Fast. Ezra 8:21,23.”
“My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge” Hosea 4:6.
On the day you were born, our society began pushing knowledge and education on you: Knowledge is Power. Readers are Leaders. Teach a Man to Fish … But to whom does that apply? Does everyone need education? Yes. Everyone needs an education appropriate to the culture in which they will live. A Tibetan proverb says,Continue reading ““My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge” Hosea 4:6.”
The Fear of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 28:15.
Image: the famous “Earthrise” photo captured by the crew of Apollo 8 on Christmas Eve, 1968. Part One: a Challenge to Put Some Effort into Your Bible Reading. Most of us believe we ought to read the Bible. Many of us start. But finishing is a real challenge and a significant accomplishment. The Good Book,Continue reading “The Fear of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 28:15.”
THAT’S PRACTICAL. My Johnny Derouen Story. Psalm 27:4.
Image: Johnny Derouen’s first day at FBC Houston, spring of 1984. Also pictured, Joel Nettles. Photo courtesy of Lance Vinson. The story goes that in the early ‘80s, Associate Pastor Felix Wagner interviewed 70-some people before he found the right man for the job. Let’s call it 77—the perfect number. After a two-year quest, FirstContinue reading “THAT’S PRACTICAL. My Johnny Derouen Story. Psalm 27:4.”
DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN? Judges 2:10-12,14.
When I was a child in Sunday school, I always wondered what went wrong? We would read about Adam and Eve, the way they walked with God in the garden. But in a few generations, people were so evil, God chose to flood the earth and start over. Then Noah and his three sons andContinue reading “DO YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN? Judges 2:10-12,14.”
Be Faithful to the Basics: You Learn By Repetition. 2 Peter 1:12.
Photo from the Sault Star, Salt Ste. Marie, Ontario 1972. Every time I left the house as a little boy my mother said, “Be careful.” It was such a constant greeting that I interpreted it more as a salutation than actual advice. “Be careful” was her way of saying goodbye—or that’s what it seemed likeContinue reading “Be Faithful to the Basics: You Learn By Repetition. 2 Peter 1:12.”
Exercise and Eat Right. 1 Timothy 4:8
American country music legend Willie Nelson says he’s done with smoking–both tobacco and marijuana. At 90, he’s decided to think more about his health. Of course, he’s been using karate to stay in shape for years. Reaching his 90s at all is remarkable—particularly for a partying musician who has spent years on the road—eating rich,Continue reading “Exercise and Eat Right. 1 Timothy 4:8”
GOD IS NOT A GOD OF CONFUSION BUT OF ORDER. 1 Corinthians 14:33.
Is your life orderly or a mess? Does it matter? Is a messy life a godless life? Not exactly. What one might consider unacceptable disorder another might consider a creative environment. I have lived both ways and believe a little disorder is acceptable. There is a line beyond which organization costs more than it’s worth—forContinue reading “GOD IS NOT A GOD OF CONFUSION BUT OF ORDER. 1 Corinthians 14:33.”
Cherish the Opportunity of Your Youth. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35.
Josiah was 8, David and Jeremiah were youths, John the Baptist and Jesus were young, John Calvin was 25, George Whitfield was 21, the “Jesus Movement” of the 1970s swept through American youth … Every great movement of God began with YOUNG PEOPLE. Yet Christian singles are usually more concerned about finding a spouse thanContinue reading “Cherish the Opportunity of Your Youth. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35.”
Household Words: 