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Book Review: “God of the Underdogs”
Written by Matt Keller, this is a very encouraging volume that preachers will want to get and use for outline ideas. The premise of Keller’s book is to take 9 Biblical men and women who used common excuses, but who were transformed to do wonderful things. Using people like Esther, Moses, Paul, and others, the book points out how these individuals are not so different from us, though they lived in very different cultures. One negative thing about the book is that Keller continually comes back to his own story of starting a church in Florida. The story is interesting, but it permeates every chapter, and the book can sound…
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Book Review: “Sticking Points”
Subtitled How to Get 4 Generations Working Together in the 12 Places They Come Apart, this is a business and leadership book that has great application in various areas. As a preacher, I read the book and kept thinking of applications in the church that would be helpful for us all to understand. The overall premise of Haydn Shaw’s book is that there are four generations in most work-places (and, now, 5 in the home), but those generations see many basic things very differently. For example, older generations value meetings, while younger generations would rather just get an email with the information so they do not have to stop working to…
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The Faughn Family Christmas Buying Guide : 20 Gifts You Can be Proud to Give
So, you need some Christmas gift ideas. Okay, you probably don’t, since there are a bazillion commercials, ads, and web sites giving you ideas. But we want to add our voice to that list. In fact, our goal is to give you 20 items that are (1) affordable, (2) actually good stuff, and (3) in line with Christian values. Oh, and these are not our Christmas list; they are things we either have and enjoy or think you might find to be “just right” for someone on your list. All of the links below are to Amazon (unless noted otherwise), so just click over, purchase, enjoy having the gifts sent…
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Two Things to Help You Think of Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving! We don’t normally post on a holiday, but we wanted to share this with you today, in case you are struggling to really take to heart today’s meaning. Thanksgiving is so special because we have so much to be thankful for. Even if your life is not going as you might have planned at the moment, there is something you can thank God for. This short post is designed to give you two ways to help you focus on the real thoughts of gratitude to the Lord. 1. Pinterest “thanks quotes.” On the first day of November, we told you that we were going to try to post…
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Why We’re Thankful for Lebanon Road
Each week, JD Buckner and I produce a short devotional video called “This Week at Lebanon Road.” For the video this week, we simply took a few minutes to list some reasons why we are thankful for Lebanon Road. I thought you might find this short video encouraging. Enjoy! NOTE: This is the last post before our November email newsletter is released. If you would like to sign up to receive the final two issues (November and December) for free, click here. We’ll send you a free eBook when you sign up!
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An Odd Reason Why We’ve Stayed at Lebanon Road
We love Lebanon Road! Working with this congregation is a joy for which we are thankful on a daily basis. We never feel like some sort of “outsiders” or “hired hands.” We are part of the family, and for that we are so grateful. As the month of December comes closer, we are nearing 6 years since we agreed to work here, and the end of March will mark the beginning of year 7 working with these great people. There are so many reasons why we have stayed at Lebanon Road, but I was reminded of one yesterday that may seem a bit odd. Grief. Let me explain that. My…
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Three Reasons I Protect My Marriage
Yesterday, we released our short new eBook, How to Build a Home (Not a House). We often write, and podcast, about marriage and family, because it is one of our great passions. We want families to not only survive, but thrive, despite the constant battle for our homes. On June 5, 1999 I stood before a preacher, a crowd of witnesses, and my Lord. Before them all, I said those powerful words, “I do.” As I suppose is true with nearly every new husband, the full weight of what those words meant did not hit me, and they probably still have not fully hit met. Leah is a treasure, and I…
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“How to Build a Home (Not a House)”
Recently, I preached a sermon on the home. It was a simple sermon that tried to give the basics of how to raise children, but I spoke very little about parenting. Instead, the goal was to provide the larger view of what God has in mind for our homes, and by providing that larger picture, children will naturally receive what the Lord has in mind for them. The sermon was well-received and I had some other thoughts I wanted to include, and some things I wish I had said more clearly. So, I have converted all that into a short eBook that we are pleased to announce is now available.…
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“I Have No Daddy”
Sometimes, unscripted TV really does do something that touches the heart. Such was the case with this video that has been making the rounds the last couple of days. Watch the 39-second clip from Jenny Jones: (Trouble viewing? Click here.) It is a clip like this that makes me want to get on a mountain and shout. Instead, I’m going to use this blog as my megaphone. I am tired of being told by the entertainment world and a feminist-gone-wild society that my role is not important. Dads who are truly dads know what it is like to work hard, have constant stress, fight the temptations of our enemy, and try…
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Fitting the Pieces Together in Life
I have visited in her home on several occasions. Turner enjoys going to her house, as well, because she is so sweet (and has some neat things for him to play with while we visit). She is a widow, and struggles at times to get around, but always has a cheerful attitude and enjoys the company and conversation. Each time I’m over for a visit, there is a small card table set up in her living room with a chair pulled up close. On top of the table is her current project: yet another jigsaw puzzle. She loves the puzzles, and works on them a few minutes each day until…
