One can hardly turn on the television or radio without receiving some information from some company wanting to help us protect ourselves from what has become a growing problem: identity theft. These companies promise us that, for a few dollars a month, they will protect us from individuals whose plans are sinister (to say the least). As difficult as it is for most of us to imagine, there are people who have dedicated their lives to destroying another person’s finances, relationships, reputation, and peace of mind. Every waking minute is spent in trying to steal the identity of an unsuspecting victim. It seems that all they need is a little information in order to…

  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). I don’t know the young man who asked a question about that verse last week, but I know I like his heart. Open Forum at the Freed-Hardemen University Bible Lectures is an intimidating setting. It is certainly not meant to be, but the nature of it leads to a certain intimidation factor. But that did not stop one young man from teaching us all a lesson recently. He had to wait his turn at one of the floor microphones, because quite a number of people had questions. I believe he had to wait through…

I admit it. I have a problem. The good news is that I am praying about it and I hope you will pray for me. This preacher sometimes tends to get a little too preachy. Preachers understand the importance of being spiritually minded. It is a matter of occupational awareness. This is because people hold us to a higher standard than others. If we do not live spiritual lives, then our ministry is not effective. This awareness leads to spiritual intensity. I can assure you that doing the right thing is always on our mind. Then there is the pulpit. Unless you take your place there two or three times…

I listen regularly to the “Preachers in Training” podcast. I recommend it to all who preach. In fact, this podcast always has some good information for all Christians, regardless of where we find ourselves in the Lord’s body.  Brother Robert Hatfield hosts this podcast. He also serves as the director/administrator of The Light Network. If you would like more information about any of the podcasts on The Light Network, you can find that at www.thelightnetwork.tv. Recently, Stephen Sutton was the guest on “Preachers in Training.” Primarily, he was talking about something he does in addition to, and in conjunction with, his work as a local preacher. Brother Sutton serves as a chaplain with his local…

Unless you’ve been under a rock for months, you surely must be aware of the fact that we are in a presidential election year. Those with an interest in politics were interested in the results of the recent caucuses in Iowa. Those results have been analyzed, scrutinized, and criticized. I have no desire to add to any of that discussion. However, before the dust completely settles from the results of the “Hawkeye Cauci,” I would like to make one non-political, non-partisan observation. I have no desire to endorse any particular candidate. I merely want us to transfer some of the methodology from Iowa to something much more important.  As I understand it, if I happened…

I get so tired of labels among Christians. You know what I’m talking about. “He’s a liberal preacher.” “This is a conservative congregation.” “I would say he’s a bit to the right.” “We’re trying to be progressive.” I get sick of it. It seems as if every congregation, leader, and member has to figure out where they fall on some sort of spectrum in order to describe who they are. The problem is not necessarily the labels per se, it is that no one has any idea what the standard is for these labels. What one person called “progressive” another would say is “mainstream.” What you might say it “ultra-conservative,” a…