I am reading A Passion for God: The Spiritual Journey of A.W. Tozer by Lyle Dorsett. I have greatly benefited from Tozer's published writings over the years. And I am excited about all that I am learning about the man and his ministry in this gripping biography. I am being reminded that God uses human beings, not pulpit superheroes. I strongly believe that we need Tozer's story today, maybe more than we need his wise and helpful books. He was not a religious celebrity, a megachurch pastor, or an ecclesiastical powerbroker. Aiden Wilson Tozer (1897-1963) was an humble man with...

My six-year-old daughter, Natalie Marie, will graduate from kindergarten this morning. And I could not be more proud of her. In fact, this is he only reason I am even in town. I was supposed to be in Washington D.C. preaching this week. But there was a big mix-up on the date of the graduation. Crystal and I had decided that I would go do the meeting to keep my word. And that I would just make it up to Natalie when I get home (which was supposed to be tomorrow). But when we told Natalie these bright plans, she...

I have been doing my personal Bible reading and memorization of the Bible from the English Standard Bible for about four or so years. I have been preaching and teaching from it for about three or so years. And I love it. It has the accuracy of the New American Standard Bible, the readability of the New International Version, and much of the poetry of the King James Version and/or New King James Version. When I began using it in my public ministry, I was really just trying it out. I was not sure how it was going to be...

Happy Father's Day! I have been thinking about my father all day. I miss him. And I thank God for his continued influence in my life and ministry. My my called me to wish me a happy Father's Day. She reminded me that she loves me and is proud of me. It was really special for me to hear that from her today. H.B. and Natalie picked out my Father's Day gifts for the first time. I can tell which ones their mother did not help them select. But I loved the gifts they selected and the fact that they...

This is one of the greatest utterances in all the Bible. It stretches over everything else revealed in scripture. The theme of purity of heart being necessary to see God is vast and infinite and draws in almost every biblical thread. – John MacArthur, Kingdom Living Hear And Now, p. 119Yesterday, I continued my series of the beatitudes of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 5:3-12, with a message on Matthew 5:8. Here is the sermon skeleton. Title: "The Window in Your Heart" Text: Matthew 5:8 Theme: The blessedness of purity of heart Point: God blesses the pure in heart. Outline: I....

My week is being devastated by Chris Erdman and his book, Countdown to Sunday: A Daily Guide for those Who Dare to Preach. This series of brief essays pokes holes in so many foolish assumptions about preaching - from matters of technique to issues of purpose. While I do not agree with everything Erdman writes, I am enjoying the conversation (sometimes argument) about what it means to host the text on Sunday mornings in such a way that you allow the mischief of God in the text to do its missional work in the life of the gathered congregation. Here...

Here are some pictures from June 1, our first Sunday in our remodeled auditorium. Thanks, Venus, for the pictures. They are great. H.B. leading some part of the worship service. The saints in worship. The congregation. My sisters - Tracy, Donetta, and Harriette - with me and HaileyThe family. Apparently H.B.3 is too cool now to smile. The church sign.

"It is immediately apparent that if the implication of the fifth beatitude were put into practice with greater zeal and consistency the preaching of the gospel would be far more effective! What a blessing for mankind this would be!" - William Hendriksen, The Gospel of Matthew, p. 276Here is the sermon skeleton from Sunday's message: Sermon Title: "A Conspiracy of Kindness" Text: Matthew 5:7 Theme: The blessedness of being mercifulPoint: God blesses those who are merciful. Outline: I. The blessedness of mercy extended (5:7a)     A. The definition of mercy: compassion in action.     B. The demonstration of mercy        ...

It was good to be home after several days away. I was rather tired Sunday, probably still adjusting time zones again. But the Lord gave me strength to preach. We have our first baptisms in our remodeled auditorium during our second service. Hallelujah! I continued our series on the beatitudes with a message on Matthew 5:7, which I called, "A Conspiracy of Kindness." I feel like I am finally getting into a rhythm with this new series of messages. And I can't wait to get to the pulpit next Sunday to preach on Matthew 5:8 - the pure in heart....

I wrote a post this morning as I was preparing to fly home from Newark. And when I published it, I noticed that it was my 449th blog post. So I thought I would write number 500 today to say, "Wow, I have written 450 blog posts!" About a week ago, someone wrote a comment to me about something I wrote in June, 2006. When I read the comment, I was a little surprised. It had not dawned on me that I had been writing this blog that long. This occasion caused me to do a little reflection. Here is...

I am writing this post from the Newark airport. In about an hour, I will be heading home to my family in Los Angeles. I have preached three messages at the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, where my friend Barron Wilson is the pastor. I preached some of my "get fired" sermons - messages that I preach and then don't get invited back. But the Mt. Calvary received the messages prayerfully and attentively. And Pastor Wilson asked me to come back next year! I also had the opportunity to spend some time this week with my boyhood friend, Joe Carter, and...