I apologize in advance that this is a long post—but I pray it will stir you. The topic has surely stirred me. I pray you will pass it along to a young soldier, and an old soldier! A couple of weeks ago, during our son’s Senior trip, God allowed me to visit the Tomb of [...]
Not long ago, God gave us the privilege of helping some young people and their families through difficult trial. Satan had laid a cleverly disguised trap, sin had occurred, and as a result everyone involved was hurting. To make a long story short, God gave a wonderful victory over the period of many weeks. Hearts [...]
Have you stopped to think recently about how amazing it is that God invites us to talk to Him? Here are some reasons I find myself in a constant, jaw-dropped state of wonder at the idea of prayer: God already knows what I’m going to say, but wants to hear it any way. God already [...]
I’ve had five conversations that went almost exactly the same this week. A battle-worn college student says, “I’m not even sure what I’m doing here. I feel like I’m doing nothing and headed nowhere. I’m not where I want to be, and I’m really thinking about what I should do…” The conversations were so similar, [...]
One of the most difficult circumstances of life and ministry is to try to help someone who has been deeply hurt. These are hard moments. More than anything, you want to take away the hurt, undo the pain, and fix the problem. But it’s just not that easy. Woundedness—regardless of how it occurred—requires time and [...]
“Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it…” (Song of Solomon 8:6-7) This [...]
Tomorrow evening we launch into a three day event with approximately 2,300 teenagers from all over the country. Dozens of churches are gathering on our campus for the West Coast Baptist Youth Conference, 2012. The teens will be engaged in six services filled with Bible teaching and preaching. And more than anything—we need you to [...]
Before the resurrection, there is a cross. Dark. Death. Hopeless. Before the rainbow, there is a storm. Howling. Desolate. Destructive. Before the sunrise, there is night. Lonely. Black. Cold. Before Spring, there is Winter. Frigid. Barren. Bitter.
Why the Greatest Gift You Can Give Your Kids is a Strong Marriage! “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:6) One beautiful Spring evening when our kids were still in elementary school, we decided to take a family walk together. [...]
Don’t miss this month’s Spiritual Leadership Podcast from Pastor Paul Chappell. The topic is “Strengthening the Things that Remain”—a lesson taught this past year at the Spiritual Leadership Conference. This lesson will challenge you to have a spirit of encouragement, friendship, and edification toward other like-minded leaders. Don’t forget, you can always subscribe to receive the [...]
Just a reminder that Bryan Samms and I are privileged to be in Memphis, TN this Friday and Saturday, preaching to youth groups and encouraging youth leaders and parents! We sure hope you will join us there for the Higher Call Student Summit! This meeting is a two-day event hosted by Eastside Baptist Church of Memphis, [...]
Ever get depleted? Ever reach the bottom of the barrel when it comes to spiritual energy or passion? Don’t overreact! It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing all the wrong things with your life. You’re faith is probably still alive and well. There’s no need to go AWOL. Don’t start doubting every good decision or direction [...]
What wise parents do when they don’t know what to do. “Something’s going wrong in the heart of my child, and I’m not sure what to do!” Ever been there, parent? Have you ever seen the fruit of attitudes, behaviors, and decisions growing from the young branches of your child’s life, and been terrified by [...]
I must be literarily challenged! Every now and then I come across something that everybody else knows of, but somehow I missed. Does that ever happen to you? This may be one of those cases. Yesterday, while reading, I came across a powerful poem written by Rudyard Kipling in 1895. It’s simply called “IF”—I’m sure [...]
Warning: This post is longer than usual… I love being a parent! If you have children, I hope you do too! We live in a culture that divides the home—if not physically, then relationally. A casual look at many American families would lead you to conclude that parents don’t like their children, and children don’t [...]
