If you’ve read this blog for very long, you know I enjoy reading and listening to Charles Swindoll material. While I don’t agree with everything he writes, his style causes me to think when I read. His book So, You Want to Be Like Christ? is a simply-written devotional book that helps the reader think. We often say things like, “I want to be more like Jesus,” but do we ever truly think about what that statement means? Swindoll makes the reader think about the many distractions we have in our lives and helps the reader remove those distractions to focus on the changes necessary to be like Christ in…

Valvano: They Gave Me a Lifetime Contract, and Then They Declared Me Dead is the autobiography of Jim Valvano, who coached the North Carolina State Wolfpack basketball team for several years, including their 1983 title season. This book was written before Valvano had cancer, so it deals with his coaching career and with the allegations that caused him to lose his job at NC State. If you are a college basketball fan, or if you are interested in coaches, this is an interesting read. Two warnings: First, know that the last 1/3 of the book is a time-line of events that led up to Valvano’s termination. It has little to…

Lebanon Road was again a blessing to me. I chose to preach on giving yesterday morning in a “survey” style (just some basics). Sometimes, sermons on that topic are not well-received, but Lebanon Road is a special place, and many thanked me for the sermon and complimented certain aspects of it. That was truly encouraging. (It was also encouraging that we were well over our budget this week!) We were pleased to welcome two new members to the Lebanon Road family yesterday. Everett and Betty Green have been visiting with us for some time and finally made their membership “official” by expressing the desire to work under the oversight of…

This morning, I did something I’ve never done before. I visited a chiropractor. On Wednesday morning, I woke up in Paducah, with a slightly sore shoulder and neck. On Thursday it was worse, especially as we drove home. This morning, it was really bad. The chiropractor repeated a move I’ve seen in the movies that kills people by breaking their necks, but, somehow it worked. I’m still sore, but some better. I’ll have to go back on Monday for a follow-up, but that’s okay. I’m calling this the “Great” pain the neck edition because I can’t think of a better place to get a sore neck than traveling preaching the…

We have enjoyed a tremendous weekend! On Friday night, the Lebanon Road church of Christ kicked off her “Mission Emphasis Weekend” with a congregational meal with six of our eight visiting missionaries. (The other two were still traveling.) 114 were present to encourage our missionaries and to be encouraged with a brief report of their works. Following that meal, my family was on the road. We drove to Paducah, Kentucky, where Jeremiah and I began a joint Gospel Meeting on Sunday. The meeting is going so well! On most Sundays, Central has about 190-200 in attendance. We were so excited that there were over 180 in Bible class, and then…

This is one of “those” months. I have two Gospel Meetings scheduled. I’m looking forward to both very much, but it will be a taxing time. The first is in Paducah, Kentucky, and begins on Sunday. (Scroll down to the next post for details.) If you cannot attend, please pray for this effort. I truly think this will be a good opportunity for the Central church of Christ, and I look forward to preaching with Jeremiah. On to the links for this week: 1. When something bad occurs and “Christians” are around, they will be blamed. But are Christians to blame for any bad thing? What about wars? Dwight Whitsett…

It is always an honor to be asked to speak at a meeting or other event. While I don’t have a ton of experience in this area, that’s okay. I don’t “expect” invitations, and I do my best not to seek them out. It is a privilege to get to speak and I consider it a great honor to be asked. Next week, I’ll be involved in a series of Gospel Meetings in a special way. About two years ago, my dad called and asked if I could speak at the Central church of Christ in Paducah, Kentucky. This is the congregation where he preaches. He also called my brother-in-law,…

Well, it rained. We needed the rain, but it forced the party indoors. Still, we had a great party, and Mary Carol had a blast. For 20 minutes before anyone showed up, she sat at a table saying, “My friends are coming; my friends will be here in a minute.” The best, though, was that, when the kids left, Mary Carol hugged Leah and said, “Mommy, I like my friends.” (Kleenex moment!) Here are some pictures of the party. (before we got Turner a plate, he just feasted on everyone else’s Cheetos) (a lot of moms helping with the grilled hot dogs….grilled by the Iron Chef of the grill!) (Sarah!!!…

Three years ago today we were in the hospital for Mary Carol’s birth and adoption. It was one of the greatest highlights and most rewarding days of my life. Tonight we are planning a party for her, so I’ll have some pictures of that later. For now, just take a look at what a difference three years makes. (the day Mary Carol was born…our first family picture) (our not-so-little-girl this morning) (Mary Carol on her birthday present. We bought an old swingset; fixed it up, and put a new swing on it. She LOVED it, and couldn’t even wait to change out of her pajamas before riding!)

It was another tremendous day on “the Pike.” Lebanon Road is such a wonderful place, and yesterday’s worship service was one of those truly uplifting services, where everything (except my PowerPoint…grrr) just seemed to go well. The singing was great, with very well-selected songs, and those who lead prayers and read Scripture did a great job. It was an honor to present the sermon that Jason, Jeremiah, dad, and I all wrote together, and it was very well-received. We were, again, blessed to have visitors from all over the country, including a youth group from Phoenix, Arizona, that was in town to see Lipscomb and were traveling to see FHU…