The date was October 8, 1999. I was preaching in Atlanta. I finished the sermon and took my seat. Moments later, Charles – a fellow-pastor of my Los Angeles congregation - whispered in my ear that my wife, Crystal, had been rushed to the hospital. Then he walked away. Crystal was pregnant with our first child, a boy. But she was almost two months away from her due date. The doctor had put her bed rest that week. She was fine just two hours earlier when I talked to her before I went to church. I just sat there frozen,...

The 25th annual WHW Expository Preaching & Teaching Conference is taking place this week in Los Angeles. This conference means a lot to me, for several reasons. First of all, the WHW Conference taught me principles of Bible study that I still use to this day. When I went to the first WHW Conference, I was already convinced that expository preaching was the most faithful way to handle the scriptures. But this conference taught me practical steps for studying words, grammar, context, and culture. Over the years, this conference has been greatly used to help many preachers and teachers rightly...

Today my son - H.B. Charles, III -  turns 13-years-old. I remember the night he was born, as if it were yesterday. Crystal had not been feeling well for several days. The doctor put her on bed rest. That Friday, I was scheduled to preach in Atlanta. I didn’t want to go. But Crystal and her mom urged me to go. I was only to be gone for 24 hours. Crystal’s mom was going to stay with her. And Crystal was not due for another 6-7 weeks. What’s the worst that could happen? Of course, H.B. was born that night,...

Yesterday was my son's - H.B. Charles III - tenth birthday. Or, as he put it, he is now in "double digits." I remember the day of his birth as if it was yesterday. I was on an overnight trip to Atlanta when he was born - almost two months premature.He had a slow start. But God has been faithful. And I am grateful that he is healthy and strong today. I am praise the Lord for how I have watched his personality develop over the past year, since we have been in Florida.When I was considering the possibility of...

Our dog Lido and I are on our way to Jacksonville. I will be traveling most of the day and should arrive in Jacksonville this afternoon, God willing. This is Lido's first trip anywhere, besides the vet. For Trey's sake, for God's sake, pray that Lido makes it safely to Jacksonville. Tonight, I plan to continue the study of Psalm 119 I began last week's Midweek Service. The message will cover the second stanza (Beth) of the psalm - verses 9-16. I have labeled the message, "How to Clean Up Your Life." May the Lord richly bless the worship of...

Today is H.B. Charles III's 8th birthday. Happy birthday, son!!!