It usually begins with something like this:  “You know that we’ve been friends for years and that I wouldn’t hurt you for the world.” Brace yourself.  Here it comes: “I just think that you should know that people are talking.” It is very difficult for me to think of a time when those three words – “people are talking” – have ever been followed by something positive. Sadly, it seems to be very, very rare for anybody to voluntarily tell another person that people are saying nice things about that person, his or her family, etc.   If you hear those three words, you can just about bank on the fact…

I am an admitted word nerd. I love language and anyone who knows me is not surprised to read that I love to talk. I have a degree in communication and reading is my escape mechanism. In a recent sermon, Jeremiah talked about the people in Genesis 11 who formulated a plan to “…build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth” (verse 4). If I remember correctly, he posed the question, “What was that common language?” I remember for sure that he queried how it all…

Some who read this will recognize the name of Ron Sandefer. I am honored to be able to refer to him as a friend and a brother in the Lord.   Ron is a serious, dedicated, and excellent student of God’s Word. On those occasions when Ron is in a worship service when I am preaching or a Bible class when I am teaching, I wonder why I am the one doing the preaching and/or teaching.     Recently, I had the privilege of being in one of his classes. During that class, he provided a handout that I am, with his permission, reproducing below. It is my prayer that it will be…

She may have just received some very bad news from the doctor. He may have just lost his job. They may have just lost a child (maybe even in the womb). Hopes and dreams may have vanished into thin air. A seemingly permanent separation has occurred between or among family members or friends. The loss of a spouse, though not recent, still hurts, and the one who remains is still lonely. The aging process is not going well at all. Repeatedly, prayers are sent heavenward, but a spouse, a sibling, a child, or a grandchild remains unsaved or unfaithful. He or she struggles with sin. Surrender has never been seen…