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.”
Tag Archives: Romans 8:28
Daydreaming About Romans 8:28.
As a little boy I was sensitive, artistic, bored, and bullied. I was in trouble ALL the time. But I had amazing parents—and a wild imagination. And there was this one crazy daydream that stuck with me, a theme I came back to constantly: I imagined that I was the center of my own “SECRETContinue reading “Daydreaming About Romans 8:28.”
YOUR MIND IS A GARDEN. Romans 12:2.
YOU are the gardener. Pull up the weeds—the bad thoughts, and PLANT good, BIBLICAL thoughts, Romans 12:2. You will reap what you sow, that is, you will harvest what you plant. So plant God’s truth in your mind, so that you will harvest a great future with God. Here are some thoughts to plant inContinue reading “YOUR MIND IS A GARDEN. Romans 12:2.”
Each Biblical Plague Rebuked a Specific Egyptian Idol. Exodus 12 and 13.
When Moses returned from Midian–the 80-year-old prophet who had been raised in Pharaoh’s palace, then fled a murder charge at the age of 40–the Hebrews were pleased. At first. But then Pharaoh told his task masters to make the Hebrews build bricks just as before, but with no straw supplied to them. The bricks wereContinue reading “Each Biblical Plague Rebuked a Specific Egyptian Idol. Exodus 12 and 13.”
ROMANS CHAPTER EIGHT. Romans 8.
Hey! Stop whatever you’re doing and read Romans 8! Is that not the richest passage, filled with amazing promises for your life? No condemnation. The Spirit gives peace. In Christ, we conquer sin. The coming glory outweighs present problems. God helps us, even fixing our prayers. God causes good to come in all things. IfContinue reading “ROMANS CHAPTER EIGHT. Romans 8.”
My Favorite Verse. Romans 8:28
I suppose most of us have a favorite Bible verse. Since high school I have considered Romans 8:28 my favorite. “For we know that God causes ALL THINGS to work together for good in the lives of those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” I love the reassurance—no matter what happens,Continue reading “My Favorite Verse. Romans 8:28”
Do You Have a Strategy for Dealing With Hard Times? James 1:2-3.
I hate to suffer. Don’t you? It’s the worst. But the Bible says “Consider it all JOY my brethren, when you encounter various trials, because the testing of your faith produces endurance” James 1:2-3. Have you ever considered suffering to be joy? When you lose or fail, do you think of it as a positiveContinue reading “Do You Have a Strategy for Dealing With Hard Times? James 1:2-3.”
SATAN MADE A TERRIBLE BLUNDER. “Then Satan Entered Judas.” Luke 22:3.
Carman, one of the most dramatic showmen in Christian music, recorded an unforgettable song that tells the story of Jesus’s death and resurrection: “THE CHAMPION.” This was 1985 and there is a ROCKY-feel to this upbeat, synthesizer-backed ballad that pictures Jesus and the devil in the boxing ring together. Satan arrives, proud and ready forContinue reading “SATAN MADE A TERRIBLE BLUNDER. “Then Satan Entered Judas.” Luke 22:3.”
Your Mind is a Garden.
YOU are the gardener. Pull up the weeds—the bad thoughts, and PLANT good, BIBLICAL thoughts. You will reap what you sow, that is, you will harvest what you plant. So plant God’s truth in your mind, so that you will harvest a great future with God. Here are some thoughts to plant in your mind:Continue reading “Your Mind is a Garden.”
Be Prepared.
The Boy Scout motto is “be prepared.” It’s a code to live by, because urgent situations come up that require preparation. The moment when someone’s heart stops is not the moment to learn CPR. What will you do when you witness a car accident? What if your house is on fire? Being prepared means havingContinue reading “Be Prepared.”
Household Words: 