Encourage: First, let’s deal with that plank
The summer of 2020 will likely go down in history. You don’t need for me to explain that to you. You are living it—virus precautions or the lack thereof; economic headwinds, whirlwinds, shutdowns; protesters marching in the streets; racial tensions; and political divisions. As I watch the news, listen to conversations, read the paper and, occasionally, scroll through social media—one important teaching of Jesus keeps coming to mind....
Encourage: Responding to racial injustice
I am writing this article on the last day of May 2020, six days after George Floyd died under the knee of a white police officer. Since then sadness, disgust, confusion, frustration, anger and even violence have filled our hearts and our streets. Public figures are responding, our families are responding, yet how should we, as the church, respond? Tomorrow, I will record a series of Podcasts titled, “Responding to Racial Injustice.” I...
Encourage: Don’t pause, prune
Our patterns of life have been changed this spring—school cancelled, work altered, agendas changed and events postponed. Our lives were driven by important pursuits like winning a championship, walking down an aisle or donning a cap and gown. Our days were consumed by less important things like weekend trips or little league games. The pattern of church life has been changed this spring. Weekly schedules came to a sudden stop....
Encourage: Advancing amidst uncertainty
When Matthew tells the resurrection story, he moves quickly to our task. He writes 15 verses to tell the resurrection story, five verses to give the Great Commission, and then abruptly ends—as if to say, “Now get busy!” The primary implication of the resurrection of Jesus is His Lordship. Since He is alive, He is Lord. He is Lord of the living and the dead, the Lord of men and nations, the Lord of lords. All authority has been given...
Encourage: He is risen indeed!
This is the third Easter since I began serving Oklahoma Baptists as executive director-treasurer. It will also be the third time you have read this exact article. I will continue to resubmit this same piece every Easter for two reasons. First, I like holiday traditions. I hope you will come to anticipate and enjoy this same good word as part of your Easter celebration. Second, and more significantly, we focus on the Resurrection of...
Encourage: A strong dose of reality
I have been exposed by my own words today. In fact, just one word: uncertainty. As I reflect on an important morning meeting, that word—spoken by my own voice—keeps echoing in my mind: uncertainty. I must have used that word four dozen times during that meeting. “How can we make plans in the midst of so much uncertainty?” “How should we lead in the day of uncertainty?” “The uncertainty of the coming weeks is a challenge for our...
