This weekend, the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church celebrates 142 years of God's faithfulness. Praise the Lord for all that He has done, is doing, and will do through and for the Shiloh Church! I love my church! Today was our church picnic. Sunday, we will celebrate together in corporate worship. I am beyond excited that Dr. Fred Luter of the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, and the first African-American President of the Southern Baptist Convention, will be our guest speaker this weekend. Thank you for your prayers, notes of encouragement, and offers of support in my nomination for president...

This past week, I prayerfully agreed to be nominated for president of the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference, which will take place in Dallas in 2018. The Pastors' Conference is held every year in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. It has been my joy to preach the pastors' conference on several occasions. It would be a privilege to lead it in 2018. I am grateful and honored that Ken Whitten of the Idlewild Baptist Church in Tampa Bay has agreed to nominate me at the upcoming SBC meeting in Phoenix. I am also grateful for...

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. – Job 23:10 Trust God’s heart when you cannot trace God’s hand. Have you ever heard this statement before? Have you ever said it before? What does it mean in terms of real-world faith? Job can help us answer these questions. As he suffered, Job complained against God: “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to...

It was a joy to speak at the WorshipGod Northeast Conference this week in Philadelphia, PA. Thanks to my friend Bob Kaulflin for the invitation and opportunity! Read my latest article: God Does Not Answer Selfie Prayers!  Check out the latest episode of The On Preaching Podcast. In this episode, we'll discus "Tips for Clear Communication in Preaching." For The Church: H.B. Charles on the Pastor's Most Important Weekly Tasks  Nathan Busenitz: Ten Reminders for Preachers Justin Taylor: Where Did the "Billy Graham Rule" Come From?  Tim Challies: What We Lost When We Lost Our Hymnals Erik Raymond: The Only...

I was looking for a cord for a device I had not used in a while. And I knew exactly where to look. My wife keeps a box where she dumps gadget stuff that me and the kids inevitably lose. I rummaged through the box, never finding what I was looking for. But I did find several digital cameras. I pulled each one out of the box, remembering purchasing or using them for special events. After I repacked the box, I wondered why my family did not use these cameras any longer. It was not because there were no more...

My baby girl - Hailey Breanne - turned 9 this week (3/24). She is growing up fast. But she will always be my little girl! Happy Birthday Hailey Bug! Today is Shiloh Community Service Day! Grateful for the army of Shiloh Church volunteers who are letting their light shine in our city today! It was a joy to speak at chapel this week at the Reformation Bible College. It was also my first time on the campus of Ligonier Ministries. Grateful for this faithful gospel work! Russell Moore: Seeking Unity in the Southern Baptist Convention Kate Shellnutt: Princeton Seminary Reforms...

Welcome to episode #44 of The On Preaching Podcast, the podcast dedicated to helping you to preach faithfully, clearly, and better. In this episode, we’ll talk about 10 conferences I think you should consider attending this year. Here are 10 conferences I think you should consider attending this year…   The Jacksonville Pastors Conference | January 26-29 | Jacksonville The Shepherd’s Conference | February 29 – March 3 | Los Angeles Ligonier National Conference | March 9-11 | Orlando The Gospel Coalition Conference | April 3-5 | Indianapolis Just Gospel Conference | May 16-18 | Atlanta The Word Conference | May...

Why pray? There are two fundamental reasons why you should pray. First of all, you should pray because the word of God commands it. Secondly, you should pray because it works! God is willing to hear and able to answer prayer. Prayer is the means God has chosen to provide for his adopted children in Christ. Whatever you need God to do in your life, it happens after prayer! When we work, we work. But when we pray, God works! Here are five ways to get your prayers.    Pray with a heart of sincerity In the Sermon on the...