I often ask God, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” It seems as though some of us are constantly doing battle with life itself and at every turn there is a new challenge.   Yet there are others who seem to live in the lap of luxury without a care in the world.

Our days are fleeting; they may end before the next sunrise. Yet God’s children are never insecure.   The Bible says of us, “We are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. . .

The day finally arrived to kick off our church’s new special needs ministry through a community outreach event. Our church planned, prepared, promoted and prayed weeks in advance.   The weather was warm and sunny, and every volunteer came in matching T-shirts with smiles and hope for each family we would meet.

November 11th marked the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.   The world mourned the loss of approximately 20 million military personnel and civilians during The Great War. Many began wearing red poppies to commemorate the fallen.   READ MORE

I cannot tell you what an honor it is to be elected as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina! I look forward to getting to know more and more of you over the next year.   This past convention was one of the most inspiring I have ever attended, beginning with the Pastors’ Conference led by Matt Capps.

On my phone there is a photograph that I catch a glimpse of every day – sometimes intentionally, sometimes not. Some days I linger a bit longer, but regardless, I see it every day.   It’s a very personal and protected photo to our family, one that we will forever cherish and hold dear.

That was the message on a sweatshirt worn by a senior adult at a gathering at one of our churches. So pointed, so provoking, so simple – and so true. READ MORE

Seventh in a series   Located 600 miles from Jerusalem and 300 miles from Athens, Laodicea was a wealthy commercial center.

Do you remember “Choose Your Own Adventure” novels? They were some of my favorites as a kid. You’d get to a certain place in the story where you’d have a choice, like, “You’re being chased by a flock of rabid wolverines, and an old lady invites you into a house to escape.

One day, at a Christian bookstore just across the street from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Fort Worth Hall, I was looking to purchase several books when I heard an excited voice call to the other side of the bookstore, “Pastor!”   A pastor was there with a few members of his congregation and as I watched the interaction between shepherd and sheep, I thought to myself, “Who is worthy to be called such an honorable title of a pastor?”   READ MORE

Recently I was privileged to attend a commissioning service for new International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries. I was invited by a couple from our church who was preparing to be sent to the nations.   During this time, I was reminded of the significance, risk and joy of taking the gospel to the nations.

Seventh in a series   Located 600 miles from Jerusalem and 300 miles from Athens, Laodicea was a wealthy commercial center. It was known for its medical care and banking industries. They were resilient, secure and self-confident. They had all they needed, except clean water.

For some Christians, “Halloween” is a dreaded word that can bring up questions and debate.   But putting aside all the differing opinions, Halloween can offer an opportunity for believers to engage their neighbors who don’t know Jesus.

One of the most interesting discussions you can have with Muslims has to do with their 99 names for God. They are supposed to continually think about these names as a way to worship and also understand how magnificent God is.   READ MORE

Revival only comes in conjunction with deep, open and honest confession of sin.   All the great revivals of scripture and history involve God’s people acknowledging the truth of their wrongdoing.