One of the truly great blessings of my ministry is the privilege of meeting new people. Every one of them has a story. You have a story and so do I. For those of us who know Christ, our stories are never complete until we share with someone about the most important thing in our [...]

I remember well my wife teaching our children that they should speak with an “inside” voice when indoors, but outdoors they could use their “outside” voices. Her point was that they did not need to speak loudly in order to be heard inside the house. However, when outdoors, they could speak louder and sometimes even [...]

The Great Commission is very clear. Our task, until Jesus calls us home through death or until His return, is to declare the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. In the original language of the New Testament the word translated “nations” does not refer to geographic boundaries but to “peoples” or “people groups.” In [...]

Few words conjure more painful feelings than the word divorce. Anyone who has experienced divorce, either personally or in the family, knows how hurtful it can be to everyone close to the situation. It is not just between two people; family is involved as well.
I would suggest that the church has allowed a great divorce [...]

In recent days, I have read two books that challenge me to the core. They are Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and Radical by David Platt. Both are written to lay an axe to the root of westernized Christianity so as to allow a new shoot to arise that reflects a more true form of [...]

I had the privilege of attending Sunday evening services at my home church last weekend. Polla and I love our pastor and appreciate every opportunity to hear him preach. Polla especially loves listening to a new voice since she has heard me preach for 42 years. Tough assignment! (Yes, Virginia, there is a star awaiting [...]

Since the SBC annual meeting in Orlando, I have frequently been asked, “So where do we go from here?” and “What does this mean for Oklahoma?” Both are good and timely questions. Undoubtedly, the messengers’ strong affirmation of the Great Commission Resurgence (GCR) report and recommendations and the election of the new president will create [...]

Over the years I have participated in many graduation exercises. Seated on the platform, I am able to watch the graduates and their families drink in every moment of the event. These ceremonies of accomplishment carry greater significance for some than for others. Maybe the student had to work while attending school, or perhaps the [...]

Forty-five years ago, I made the trip from Skiatook to the Arbuckle Mountains to attend Falls Creek. Our group was made up of probably about 35 or 40 teens and sponsors. Mrs. Miller was our cook. Bro. James was our pastor, and he served (like many small church pastors still do today) as the lead [...]

Deep into the Iraqi War, the generals on the ground made a recommendation to President Bush. They believed that a “surge” of troops would produce the final blow to terrorist and Taliban opposition, thus winning the war and allowing the ultimate drawdown of American and allied forces. They believed a failure to provide the troops [...]