“It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood, A beautiful day for a neighbor, Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won’t you please, won’t you please, Please won’t you be my neighbor? These lyrics are from the song “Won’t You be my Neighbor?” that was sung at the beginning of every episode of the... Continue Reading →
He Loves When You Call
It’s not by accident that Jesus teaches on prayer in Luke 11:1-4 and then shares a parable on prayer about how God delights to answer our prayers in verses 5-13. Here is the reality—we often feel as if our prayers go unanswered or that God might not be concerned with our prayers. After teaching us... Continue Reading →
Going in the Right Direction
I depend on my GPS as I travel around the state. Frankly, I am not sure what I would do without it. Several years ago, while driving to speak at an annual associational meeting, my GPS showed that I was about five minutes from the church. As I drove, I noticed a church to my... Continue Reading →
Resolved or Not Resolved
With each new year many people pledge to do better, to stop bad habits, or to begin new practices by making resolutions. While not related to the dawn of a new year, Jonathan Edwards, as a nineteen-year-old in 1722 and 1723, wrote 70 such resolutions. Stephen Nicols explains that Edwards, amidst the uncertainty and flux... Continue Reading →
Oh, Give Thanks to the Lord
This week marks the celebration of Thanksgiving. Turkey, dressing, and desserts will be devoured on Thursday. Families will gather to eat and give thanks. But why? For Americans, we give thanks for many reasons, not least of which is our freedom to live in a land that is free (for now) to worship without the... Continue Reading →
Reds Baseball and the Cooperative Program
The muddy and winding Ohio River flows through or borders six states, two of which are KY and OH. Along the Ohio River’s path sits America’s original Boomtown—Cincinnati, also called the Queen City. Cincinnati is most notably known as the home of Reds baseball where the Great American Ballpark rests on the bank of the... Continue Reading →
Short-term Missions as a Help to the Mission
Missions is about making disciples of all nations, and often involves the crossing of cultures, languages, and geographical boundaries to accomplish that task. Disciples are made in the context of the local church over time. Missionaries invest their lives in places void of the gospel in order that sinners will come to faith in Jesus... Continue Reading →
Jesus: The Great Savior Who Forgives Great Sinners
Just who is Jesus? That’s really the question that the gospel writer Luke is seeking to answer as he writes his book. Luke chapter 1 tells us that he writes to a man named Theophilus. We are not exactly sure who he is, but it seems that he is an important person, perhaps a government... Continue Reading →
Looking for Mission Partnerships in North America?
As a church leader you desire to lead your church to obey the Great Commission, but maybe you are not sure where to go? If you are looking for mission partnerships, look no further. The Mission Mobilization Team of the Kentucky Baptist Convention is here to help your church reach Kentucky and the world for... Continue Reading →
First Responders with Gospel Urgency
A tsunami of debris engulfed the city blocks surrounding the World Trade Center. Just prior to this wave of debris, smoke rose in the New York City skyline as both towers were struck by hijacked commercial airliners on September 11, 2001. Thousands attempted to escape the chaos of the enflamed buildings and surrounding area. While... Continue Reading →