faithrunner

This past Sunday I announced my retirement from the pastorate with Legacy Church . After 26 years of partnership with the people who are Legacy to help people trust Jesus , I am humbled to step onto the trail with B. H. Carroll Theological Institute in June to equip "men and women called to serve Christ in the diverse and global ministries of His church." B H Carroll was formed in 2004 , and I have been been a Resident Fellow with them since 2005. Soon after that, Legacy partnered with Carroll to join its nexus of Teaching Churches . In 2011, I was elected to the Board of Governors for the Institute . So, you see, I have been on the journey with them for some time. Their core strategy to return ministry training and theological education to the local church has made it possible for me to equip current and future church leaders while providing biblical and leadership studies for the local church community and the members of Legacy. Why would we make suc...

Church Service in West, TX Last week's bombings in Boston and fertilizer plant explosion in West, TX , along with a sudden death in our church fellowship have sent many of us who are Legacy Church reeling in sadness. Loss is a part of life , but we stagger out of them after events shatter what we think is 'normal' or take loved ones from us. We can't just write loss off as "that's the way life is" or act like they didn't happen. We must wrestle through them, but how we respond to those loses makes the difference in how we live the rest of our lives. Our natural response to loss at the hands of others is revenge and justice . Innocent people died at the hands of calculating, evil men. We want justice for the lost lives. We want somebody to do something. Now! In the middle of the loss of innocent life and injustice perpetrated in his day, Jesus declared, "Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy." ( Matthew 5:7 ) ...

I have finished the Boston Marathon seven times , and the run down Boylston Street is t he epitome of athletic excitement . Whether you are the winner of the marathon or back in the pack with runners like me, the crowds always cheer for you as if you were winning the race and they all knew your name. The marathon is always run on Patriot's Day , a state holiday for MA, and it seems the entire state turns out for the marathon and Red Sox game . People line the route from Hopkington to Boston , but the masses become ten deep on Boylston. When you turn onto Boylston Street off of Hereford, no matter how you feel, you know you will finish because you can see the finish line and the crowds will make your forget the pain in your legs and body . Interrupt that idyllic experience with an explosion driving shrapnel into the backs of spectators and concussion-producing blasts. Whoever did this knew the masses would gather on Boylston because of the marathon and the game. The...

What are the symptoms of spiritual illness? How can you know if your religious and life activities are squeezing out your spiritual vitality? Here are some symptoms you may find in your own life.             Shortness of breath – this indicates you are able to spend only a minute or two in prayer at a time; wandering thoughts and a short-lived attention span are key characteristics.             Spiritual obesity – this symptom occurs when you spend too much time in religious activity at the church so that you have no time to minister to those Jesus has called you to serve.   Other symptoms include knowing more names of church friends than those without Christ or spending more time at potluck dinners at church than at neighborhood block parties to meet your neighbors.             High blood pressur...

Kudos for The Bible television series ! The producer of the series, Mark Burnett and his wife, Roma Downey , have invested their time, talents and treasures to bring the story of God's redemptive love as told in The Bible to television . Their faithful presentation of the story has people watching, talking, AND reading the Bible.  Thank you, Mark and Roma, for your investment in a media that is accessible to millions and vividly more appealing than my sermons. I expect many of us who tell the story week after week will use clips from the series multiple times in the future. Jesus and His disciples, Episode 4 Almost 11 million people watched the third installment, beating the previously more popular shows on ABC and CBS . Don't tell me people are not interested in what the Bible has to say. They just don't come to church to hear it as much as before. It is also reported, Every Sunday during the series, the YouVersion Bible App has been in the top 25 out o...

Hunger and thirst are two natural desires that keep us alive. Both drive us to food and water that sustain us physically.  When Jesus looked across the crowd that had gathered to hear him introduce "the kingdom of God" that was near, he blessed those who hungered and thirsted for righteousness . ( Matthew 5:6 ) And, he promised those folks would be satisfied . In my analogy of spiritual growth in my book, A New Way of Living , this Beatitude is the summit of our spiritual climb to be like Jesus. Climbing the summit of God's mighty presence is a journey that begins by exposing our tremendous lack of personal resources. And like on a physical climb, when our resources run out, we begin to hunger and thirst. The difference is that in tackling a mountain of spiritual growth, what we hunger and thirst for is refreshment only God can give our craving souls. (130) Righteousness is a characteristic of God ( Psalm 48:10 ). It describes our standing before God in Christ J...

Today at Plano Senior High School the girls are taking a risk to be themselves by not wearing makeup. As a father of two grown daughters and pastor of a local church, I know the struggle girls face throughout their lives to look a certain way. I don't have to tell you the disorders and personal pain that follow a pursuit of an image you were not created to be. My wonderful wife, who is a teacher there, is joining the girls today! This is the first time I ever remember her intentionally going into public without makeup except to workout. Her love for the girls and her support of this value motivated her to join the experience. Here she is this morning without makeup!!! I remember the first time my heart jumped when I saw her. She was walking across campus coming from a PE class without makeup .  I respect her for caring enough to look nice when she leaves the house, but I love her for the face she wears in her sleep. The Bible makes it clear that outward beauty ...