God wants our all. Following Him is not easy. There is simply no way to sugar-coat that message and be Biblically consistent. Jesus, when asked what the most important commandment was, did not sugar-coat His response. Instead, He stated as His first response: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). We know that verse, but there is a word found in it that is far too easy to overlook. …and… That’s the word: “and.” Far too many people can quote that verse, but when we apply it to our…

He is a former elder, and yesterday I was reminded why he held that office with such nobility for many years. About 18 months ago, he suffered a stroke. I have visited with him multiple times in those months. He is one of Turner’s favorite people to visit, because he thinks the wheelchair is cool. The stroke left him unable to serve as an elder, and I was there one day when he told me that he was going to resign…and he cried. Then yesterday happened, and it took all I could do to hold my emotions together. Turner and I went by for a visit and stayed for a…

We often remember very simple phrases. Some are very good and build us up, while others devastate us. “I love you.” “It’s a boy (or girl).” “There’s someone else.” “It’s cancer.” “You got the job.” “I made the team.” “Welcome home.” “We did all we could.” What’s amazing is that, when you read those short phrase, some of them probably welled up emotions within you, though I didn’t even mention any names! We remember these simple, complicated phrases because they express truth and emotion together in a powerful package. If that’s true, why do we think we have to complicate things when it comes to evangelism? While deeper study or…

One of my favorite “King James phrases” comes from the book of Philippians, where Paul wrote, “I am in a strait betwixt two” (1:23). The ESV puts it the entire verse this way: I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. In context, Paul was writing from a prison cell and considering the possible ending of his life. His attitude is amazing. If he dies, that’s “far better,” because he gets to be with Christ. If, however, his life is spared (which it was this time), he would get to continue working for the Lord and might…

Tonight, the first of the 2012 Presidential debates will occur, and Americans will be watching to learn from each of the two major candidates for that highest office. The debate–which will be held at the University of Denver–will not be a classical debate, of course, but will still help voters think about Barak Obama and Mitt Romney on certain issues and topics. As usual, these debates will be highly scripted, with each candidate probably not saying much that we do not already know. Sometimes, however, we do get some memorable moments in these debates. Many of you remember John F. Kennedy basically winning the office because of his youthful appearance…