Tag Archives: Psalm 119:11

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.”

THE RECIPE FOR SALVATION WILL BE RUINED IF YOU MIX IN A PINCH OF LAW. Galatians 5:9.

I love to cook without recipes. When I was a child, I made milk shakes in a blender. I would throw in bananas, berries, ice cream, a raw egg, chocolate syrup, honey, milk, vanilla extract, and more. You really can’t mess up a milk shake. But boy, have I ruined a few meals! I onceContinue reading “THE RECIPE FOR SALVATION WILL BE RUINED IF YOU MIX IN A PINCH OF LAW. Galatians 5:9.”

Scripture Memory and the Beauty of the Law.

My friend James went to seminary and loves people with a pastor’s heart.  His passion for the homeless is amazing and merits discussion.  But he has one idea with which I cannot agree.  He does not believe in the practice of memorizing scripture.  His senior thesis in seminary was “Jesus Never Asked Anyone to MemorizeContinue reading “Scripture Memory and the Beauty of the Law.”

Don’t Write This Down: a Story From the Jury Room.

Recently I found myself a juror in a murder trial. My fellow jurors realized I was a lawyer and eventually voted me jury foreman–which was a rare and extraordinary opportunity for a lawyer. But things got off to a rocky start on day one. The bailiff–who admitted she had never met the judge–loudly ordered meContinue reading “Don’t Write This Down: a Story From the Jury Room.”

Don’t Give the Devil a Foothold.

Have you heard the old calypso-style chorus that goes, “Shut the Door, Keep Out the Devil, Shut the Door, Keep the Devil in the Night”? If only it were that easy—just lock up before you go to bed and all will be well. But there is some truth to it. If we walk by theContinue reading “Don’t Give the Devil a Foothold.”

God is Watching.

Do you ever forget? Some do. You will do better and make better decisions when you remember that God has His eyes on you. Think about recent decisions. Have you made bad choices when you forgot that He was watching, that He was there with you? “Can the One who shaped the ear not hear?Continue reading “God is Watching.”