I recently had dinner with several pastors. As we waited for our table, a friend and new pastor asked, “How do you find time for study?” As soon as he finished the question, the hostess seated us. But when we sat down, he asked again, “So how do you find time for study, H.B.?” I offered several answers that I hope were helpful. And we moved on to other topics. But the question stayed with me. Time-management is a big for busy pastors. Many people think that pastors don’t work. But pastors often work so hard that they don’t have...

We had a blessed day of worship at Shiloh yesterday. It was absolutely wonderful to be home with my congregation. There’s no place like home! We celebrated the Lord’s Supper today and welcomed our new members into the Shiloh family. It is always a special time. It was good to have our guests in worship with us. “There Is A Fountain” is my favorite Communion hymn. I worked for more than a week on Psalm 61. I was looking forward to preaching it this. It left me Saturday night. I look forward to preaching Psalm 61 at some point in...

The following quote is from Doug Wilson's book, Heaven Misplaced. I really enjoyed reading this book. I did not agree with many thing in it. But it did force me to think about what I believe. I believe this quote is a powerful statement about the operation of faith in the study of scripture: "We sometimes assume that sound exegesis of the Scriptures is a scientific operation, one in which a believer or an unbeliever - providing they know "the rules" - can come way with a right understanding of what the Bible is saying. Of course, there is an...

Almighty God, the help and defense of all them that fear thee, grant that we may securely live under the safeguard and protection of they well-beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Grant also that his kingdom, by thy great power, may prosper and be advanced daily more and more; and that we, being settled upon thy promises, may render unto thee the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving both now and forevermore. Amen. - Prayers on the Psalms (From the Scottish Psalter of 1595), pp. 82-82

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:21-23 This weekend, we will celebrated 137 years of God's faithfulness to and through the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Florida. It has been my privilege to serve this great congregation for more than three years now. I am grateful to lead a congregation with such a rich legacy and yet with great potential. God has been good to us. And the...

Happy Mother’s Day! I am grateful to God for my wife, Crystal, the mother of my three children. We did not torture her as severely today, in honor of Mother’s Day. We had quite a few guests in worship today. Grateful. We did Charles Jenkins’ new song, “Awesome,” corporately. It is a beautiful song. Our Children’s Choir sang today. It was great to have them participating on Mother’s Day. Our Men’s Chorus led the special music. It is encouraging to have men lead out in praises to our God. Praise God for the one who was baptized today. I preached...

We had a good day of worship at the Shiloh Church. I love my congregation! It is a privilege to serve such a great people. We did not have Bible Study Fellowship groups today. During our BSF hour, I met with our Deacons for prayer. It was refreshing and encouraging. I found renewed strength to preach our second service after our time of prayer. We celebrated the Lord's Supper and welcomed in our new members who completed our New Members Class Saturday. As always, I am grateful for all of our guests who joined us in worship. I preached a...

Philip Henry's advice to his daughter: "If you would keep warm in this cold season (January, 1692), take these four directions: 1. Get into the sun; under his blessed beams there are warmth and comfort. 2. Go near the fire. "Is not my word like a fire?" How many cheering passages are there! 3. Keep in motion and action - stirring up the grace and gift of God that is in you. 4. Seek Christian communion. "How can one be warm alone?" Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Feathers for Arrows, p. 237

"First of all, then I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." - 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV) Today is the National Day of Prayer. Let us use this as occasion to remember our nation in believing prayer before the Lord God. Our country is filled with many political, social, economic, cultural, and spiritual problems. But nothing is too hard for God. It happens after prayer! Tonight at 7 PM the Shiloh...

I was introduced to the subject of “generational curses” some years ago in a strange way. I was sitting in the pulpit of the church I served, listening to an encouraging sermon by an out-of-town friend. He ended the message with a personal testimony of divine healing. He had been very sick. And the only explanation for his recovery was that God had healed him, for which I rejoiced. I had no problem with his testimony of healing. I did have a problem with his explanation of how he received the life-threatening disease. He claimed that it was a generational...

O my Lord, Let not my ministry be approved only by men, or merely to win the esteem and affections of people; But do the work of grace in their hearts, call in thy elect, seal and edify the regenerate ones, and command eternal blessings on their souls. Save me from self-opinion and self-seeking; Water the hearts of those who hear thy Word, that seed sown in weakness may be raised in power; Cause me and those that hear me to behold thee here in the light of special faith, and hereafter in the blaze of endless glory; Make my...