When I catch myself comparing myself to others or thinking, I could be happy if only I had what they have, then I know i need to withdraw for a while and listen for another voice. Away from the winds, earthquakes, and fires of human recognition, I can again hear the still, small voice, posing the question it always asks of self-absorbed ministers: What are you doing here? I reply by whining about some of my Ahabs and Jezebels, And the voice gently reminds me, as it has reminded thousands of Elijahs before me, that I am only a small...

In his book, Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome, R. KENT HUGHES tells of a dark night of the soul that he went through and how the Lord brought him out. Kent Hughes had been groomed for success. It was no surprise that he was chosen to plant a new church. Expectations were so high that there were whispers that his new church would soon outgrow the mother church. But several years later, there were very few signs of life, growth, or fruit. In a moment of weakness, Kent said to his wife Barbara, “God has called me to do...

I am in St. John’s in Antigua & Barbuda, preaching for the Dr. Hensworth W.C. Jonas and the Baptist Circuit of Churches. The Baptist Circuit of Churches is made up of three congregations in Antigua led by Dr. Jonah – Central, Tryells, and Covenant Baptist Church. The mother church, Central Baptist Church, celebrated 45 years of ministry today. The Tryells Baptist Church celebrated 18 years today. Dr. Jonas is also the founder and principle of the Baptist Academy of Antigua. With over 400 students, it is one of the leading schools in the country. Today is Harvest Sunday in Antigua....

Thanks, again, for your continued prayers for my wife, Crystal. Yesterday was the second anniversary of my installation as pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church. I love my congregation. May the Lord make me into the man and pastor I need to be to lead Shiloh in its next season of ministry. Hebrews 6:10 kept coming to my mind throughout the day: “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (NKJV) Throughout the weekend, I having been...

People have short attention spans. You cannot preach long series any more. It is best to keep sermon series short – six weeks at the most. Many who preach and many who teach preaching have concluded that society in general and congregations in particular have short attention spans. Churches cannot endure long sermon series anymore, they say. This conclusion is stated as an irrefutable fact. And it goes unchallenged. But is it true? Every pastor must make a personal decision about how long to spend on a particular book, theme, or biography. And there are many factors that go into...

It was coooooold yesterday!!! We had a good day of worship at Shiloh. Thanks for your continued prayers and many expressions of kindness as Crystal recovers from her surgery. Please continue to cover her with your prayers. Throughout the day, I was praying for three pastors I know of around the country who were beginning officially started new churches yesterday. I was also praying for the Diamond family and the Abyssinia Church, who funeralized their long time pastor, Dr. Tom Diamond, Saturday morning. I really enjoyed my time with the New Members Class yesterday. We discussed the good news of...

CRYSTAL UPDATE: Crystal is having good days and some bad days. But, overall, her recovery is progression with no major complications. Thanks, again, for your prayers, concern, and support. Today is Reformation Sunday. By grace alone! Through faith alone! According to scripture alone! In Christ alone! To the glory of God alone! We have a good day of worship at Shiloh today. Grateful for the guests we had in worship today. I even met a guest who watches our services from Canada. Way cool. We sung “Come Thy Fount Of Every Blessing” as a congregation this morning. Glorious! Our women’s...

CRYSTAL UPDATE: Thanks for your ongoing prayers for Crystal. She still cannot move around much. But there have been no complications from her surgery. And her recovery is coming along as scheduled. Praise God. Good day of worship at Shiloh yesterday. Our youth and young adults led the music yesterday. Good job. Thankful for all of our guests yesterday. God bless the families who participated in our parent-child dedication yesterday. I began a new series on the Epistle of James yesterday. I preached from James 1:1-4 and called the message, “Taking Advantage of your Trials.” I have been looking forward...

Thank you to all of you who have been praying for my family this past week. Crystal surgery this weekend was a success. I brought her home late Saturday night. Please continue to pray for her that she will have a full and speedy recovery. Thanks, again, for all of your kindness and concern. Two of Crystal’s adopted mothers – Beverly and Lisa – came to town from Los Angeles to be with her. I am grateful for what their presence has meant to Crystal. Praise God for those who were baptized today. Our music department was on fire today....

Acts 2 records the birthday of the church, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the 120 believers who were assembled in the Upper Room. It also records the growth process of the infant church. On the Day of Pentecost, about 3000 people believed the gospel, repented of their sins, and were baptized as followers of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:42 says: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” And the last sentence of Acts 2:47 reports, “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being...

Good day of worship and fellowship at Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church. Grateful for all the guests who joined us in worship. Our children's choir led in song during our 10 AM service. Our mass choir looks beautiful in their new robes. Carlton Burgess led the song of preparation at 10 AM. His medley of old hymns was moving. Praise God for those who were baptized. I preached a message from Hebrews 10:24-25 that I entitled "Assembly required." I argued that Christian assembly is required for all Christians. I am very passionate about this subject. I believe that growing Christians much...

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS (Ephesians 1:3) Ephesians 1:3-14 records what is called THE HYMN OF GRACE. It is so because scholars tell us that these verses record an actual hymn of praise that was sung in worship by the early church. Whether or not this is true, the content of this passage is still accurately labeled a hymn of grace. In the original Greek text, these twelve verses comprise only one sentence, even though no English versions translate it that way. In some remarkable way, this complex passage was one simple exclamation of praise in Paul’s mind. And this high praise...