Lovin' Tellin' The Story

North Carolina (my home state) is one of 17 states that has some form of alcoholic beverage control commission. This commission operates a number of ABC stores which, in our parlance, is code for "where you go to get liquor." This commission comes under the authority of the Department of Public Safety - a part of the state government. According to their website , NC ABC stores generate approximately $1 billion annually through the sale of controlled beverages. That's a pretty penny, no? Imagine with me for a moment that the State of NC passed a law that required substance abuse rehab centers to post prominent advertisements for the nearest ABC store in the welcome area of their facilities. That would seem rather ludicrous would it not? Compelling an organization who's mission is to help people stop abusing alcohol to display advertising for the government sponsored alcohol sales commission (which generates billions of dollars in state income) could be described as

My kids love to put together puzzles. Our son, who is almost four, is particularly adept at putting them together but his sister is quickly gaining proficiency. The thing about puzzles, and I'm sure you realize this from your own experience, is that even the most elementary puzzle is very hard to put together without seeing the picture on the lid of the box. At this point you're probably thinking I'm going to talk about "seeing the big picture" or something like that. Well, I'm not, at least not directly. What I want to address is the Word of God - the Bible. Specifically, the role that we allow the Word of God to play in our lives. In 1 Corinthians 4:6 Paul writes these words, so that you may learn the meaning of the saying: "Nothing beyond what is written." That sounds rather cryptic but the point that he is making is that he and Apollos had set an example for the Corinthians of living a life according to God's Word (what is written). Unfo

If you're anything like me, it is easy to listen to all the voices that speak into your life. People who either encourage, or discourage you. People who believe in you, and those who don't. Those who try to affirm your gifts and calling, and those who try to convince you that you're mistaken. The list could go on. Now, Dr. Phil, and Oprah, and Dr. Drew, and Joel Osteen, and Tony Robbins are all going to give you some ideas about how to deal with those negative voices that bark into your ear. Some might even have some advice about what to do when the voice is your's . Well, here's the good news; what you are experiencing is nothing new. In fact, even the apostle Paul dealt with this issue. Here's the even better news; God's Word - the Bible - offers us true, godly, wisdom on how to deal with it, not trendy human wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Paul gives us a recipe for what I'm going to call "God-confidence." It isn't self-confidence,

Two nights a week I teach Adult Basic Education at our local prison...I mean "correctional institution." Naturally, many of the people who find their way into prison have had some experience with drugs, and sadly, many are hoping to have more experience with drugs after they leave. So, last night somehow the topic of marijuana (weed, smoke, bud, pot, Mary Jane, etc.) was brought up in our discussion of World War Two (Please don't ask me how. They can turn the conversation to weed if you're talking about Mother Teresa). Of course, these guys know that I am a pastor and a Christian so comments were made about how the Bible doesn't tell us we can't smoke dope and so on. Then,  as I'm riding home Al Mohler brings up the topic of marijuana in yesterday's (2/1/2018) episode of the "The Briefing." His point was that marijuana usage is up in America but in other forms besides smoking it, and how more and more states are trying to jump on the legali

We're just going to keep making our way through 1 Corinthians 3 by looking at verses 16-17 today. If the foundational truth is that Jesus is the foundation, then these two verses help describe what he is building. This is not a comprehensive statement about what the Church is but these four truths will help us gain a healthy and biblical view of the Church.  1. You (y'all) are the temple of God. Throughout human history God has always found a way to dwell with his people. During the time before the Fall God simply walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. The first two humans enjoyed a relationship with God that we can only dream about until we enter into eternity. During the time of the patriarchs God appeared to his people in various ways, but he didn't really dwell with them in any kind of permanent fashion. Then, as Israel was wandering around in the wilderness God chose to dwell with them in the tabernacle. Though it was nothing more than a portable "t

In this post I want to continue with the notion that the local church is to be a missionary outpost and consider the foundation upon which we are to build that outpost. In 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 Paul writes, According to God's grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one is to be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any other foundation that what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.  Risking a pun, it could be said that this truth is "foundational" for the life of each Christian and  each local expression of the Body of Christ. After all, Paul is writing to a church, not an individual like he did with Timothy, and the foundation that he laid was that of the local church in Corinth. Now, we know from the preceding verses that God is the one who is really giving growth to his church. However, it is equally clear that even though God is the source of the growth, in