Believers often ask in Disaster Relief, “Why do I have to go through training to serve as a volunteer? Why can’t I just go help people?” Preparation is important in any area of ministry, because it enables us to be more effective in ministry. The wisdom writer in Ecclesiastes 10:10 declared, “If the ax is dull,... Continue Reading →
Blog
Is Serving Others Only a Seasonal Activity?
I love Christmas, the lights, family gatherings, decorations, music and gift giving. It's a time of year when people show compassion to the hurts and needs of others. We see it displayed in the days leading up to Christmas by children taking gifts to the elderly in the nursing home, groups singing carols and delivering... Continue Reading →
The Gift of Christmas
‘Twas not the night before Christmas; no snow was on the ground. ‘Twas not Saint Nicholas and a sleigh full of toys. But… ‘Twas a beautiful, sunny day of November 16, 2015. ‘Twas a Southern Baptist Disaster Relief tractor-trailer full of toys, and driver Gary, who was definitely a “saint.” Gary, a retired truck driver... Continue Reading →
Mister Rogers and the Syrian Crisis
“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 →
Grumbling
A sign leading into Yankton, South Dakota reads, "Yankton, S. D. The Home of 30,000 Friendly People and a Few Sore-heads." We understand the sign, because we all know a few soreheads. Grumbling and complaining are rarely labeled as being a problem. Grumbling is not one of the seven deadly sins. To my knowledge, there are no... Continue Reading →
interSEED for our Kentucky Missionaries
During this month of November people all over Facebook are sharing their “30 Days of Thankfulness.” One thing I thank God for is the nearly 100 missionaries that serve in various roles across Kentucky. Many have left their homes and moved to new locations, while others are serving right in their home communities. All have... Continue Reading →
MAP
Recently, I was driving in eastern Kentucky to speak at a church about missions. I use my GPS regularly as I travel all across the state. On this particular trip in eastern Kentucky, my GPS all of a sudden went crazy. The road unexpectedly disappeared on the GPS and the car seemingly was floating on... Continue Reading →
Safe Church
Once upon a time, churches were considered safe havens that were untouched by the violence of our world. The recent mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina has again reminded us of the need to be prepared for the unthinkable. First Thessalonians 5:3 cautions us about the false thought... Continue Reading →
Go Tell it On the Mountain… and Everywhere!
We buried my father just two weeks ago after battling lung cancer, dementia, and finally, pnemonia. He had battled alcoholism in early adulthood, but experienced life transformation after accepting Christ as his Savior and Lord. Following his conversion, my father (who I affectionately called Dave) lived his life on mission, declaring to everyone he met... Continue Reading →
A Time of Rest and Renewal
Recently we had our annual Kentucky Missionary Retreat at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Corbin, KY. My, what a beautiful place to “retreat.” It kind of reminds me of Jesus going away to the mountain to be alone with the Father. Cumberland Falls was such a special place to walk (or sit) and pray;... Continue Reading →