Because I grew up in the New Orleans area I grew up eating and loving Popeye’s Chicken (Popeyes started in New Orleans). As a kid, my parents would drive us by Al Copeland’s house at Christmas, the founder of Popeyes, because of the incredible Christmas lights he put up each year. My childhood nostalgia had…
Jesus
5 Ways You (and the People in your Church) Will Grow This Year
When God wrestled with Jacob (Genesis 32), God won Jacob to Himself by making Himself weak. In His love for Jacob, He withheld His power as even a slight touch to Jacob’s hip dislocated it. God has won us to Himself through weakness too. He emptied Himself, took on human flesh, and submitted Himself to…
“Christmas Makes me Sad/Glad” and 3 Reminders for Us Preachers
Christmas season tends to bring out emotions in all of us – some emotions of sadness and some of gladness. A recent Google search of “Christmas makes me sad” turned up 347 million results with lots of articles telling us why Christmas makes us sad. Psychologist Ken Duckworth commented “Holidays are a great example of…
Merry Christmas From Genesis 3 (and 3 Reasons It Is Important)
The Christmas story does not begin in a manger; it begins in a Garden. Genesis 2 ends with Adam and Eve in perfect paradise where they “felt no shame.” Then after surrendering to the temptation from the evil one, they immediately feel shame, attempt to cover themselves with fig leaves, and hide from the Lord….
Church Leaders: 5 Items on the Top of Your List as 2019 Ends
For several reasons the last six weeks of the calendar year is an important time in local church ministry. The Christmas season gives a church many opportunities to serve the local community. The Christmas worship services are a time where people new to the faith or curious about the faith are willing to come if…
Answers from a Pastor to Questions About Kanye
As you have likely heard, Kanye West has professed faith in Christ and has recently released a gospel album entitled “Jesus is King.” I am late to the game on writing about Kanye’s faith, and other leaders have already written some great pieces. I found Bryan Loritts’ and Eugene Park’s thoughts to be insightful and…
Momentary Multi-Millionaires and Joy in God’s Grace
I still remember when I thought my family became instantly rich. I was in elementary school, and I was walking back into the house after retrieving the mail. I peered through the window of a large envelope and read a congratulatory note to my father for receiving millions of dollars. I had never heard of…
Two Recent Meals and Hungering for Righteousness
I recently spent a few days in San Francisco with Evie, our youngest daughter. Because I was a few weeks away from teaching through the Beatitudes and Jesus’ message that “happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled,” I noticed meals through the lens of His words. One morning…
Adam Sandler’s Sermon on Happiness
OK – it wasn’t actually a sermon. Sandler’s message came in the form of a funny sketch, but it is loaded with much truth. Adam Sandler recently hosted Saturday Night Live and starred in a sketch as a tour guide warning people against using his tours to Italy to make them happy. Romano tours…
Nicodemus and the Samaritan Woman: Will You Serve Both?
Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman: Will you serve both? If you had to choose, which one do you find easier or more enjoyable to love and serve? We tend to be more passionate about serving some people over others. Even for those of us on staff at a church, those of us with the title…