I have just finished a new message on Matthew 16:24-28. The words of this passage convey clearly and simply that to follow Jesus requires self denial and cross bearing. As often happens, I was forced by the truth of Scripture and the Holy Spirit...

Polls have always had a place in American culture. They help us identify the thoughts, preferences and opinions of people in our society. In years past, a poll would be conducted and then a period of time would elapse before a new one was begun....

Several years ago, my mom and dad built a new house in a 100-year floodplain. Other relatives had built in the area, and so they were excited to be among family. No one gave a second thought to building in this neighborhood because, after all,...

One of the first acts of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma upon its founding 102 years ago was to establish a committee to consider the founding of a college. It was clear from the beginning that Oklahoma Baptists wanted a school that...

The campaign to elect the next President of the United States is about to begin in earnest. Barack Obama has now defeated Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side of the equation and John McCain has had the Republican nomination in the bag for some...

This time of the year provides some of the greatest opportunities for the presentation of the Gospel. Vacation Bible School, children's camps and Falls Creek are just a few of the places where we must make absolutely sure we give a clear...

How do we reach our communities with the Gospel? Every pastor and every church that has the heart of Jesus asks that question regularly. We are often puzzled about how to break the barriers that keep us from engaging lost people. I have found that...

Once when preaching from Ezekiel 37 on the valley of dry bones, I had a very humorous and yet very powerful experience. In theatrical tones, I posed the question God asked of Ezekiel, "Son of man, can these bones live?" Then, describing in graphic...

The last few weeks have been filled with tragedy. Storms have ripped across America, including parts of our own state, leaving many dead and many more injured or homeless in Oklahoma and several other states. I well remember preaching at Picher,...

In just a few weeks, another summer season of youth camp will begin at Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center. This summer, like many before, will be filled with opportunity for life-altering experiences for those who journey to the Arbuckle...

Over the last several weeks, I have been making my way through an 895-page biography of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Spurgeon was the pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle of London in the mid- to late-1800s. He is noted by most scholars to be the...

In the last two years, Oklahoma has become a much safer place for the unborn. For more than 25 years, we have prayed and worked to see unborn children given love and respect. Today, the sanctity of human life has become a reality in our state.

One of the presidential candidates recently described people from small towns as bitter. He stated, "And it's not surprising . . . they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade...

Presidential politics dominates the airwaves these days. Debates, interviews, endless talking head analyzation and political games clog the media. Exaggerations, lies, rumors, counter-rumors, gossip and character assassinations overflow the...

I wish we could learn afresh the power that resides in united fervent prayer. It wouldn't surprise me one day in Heaven to have the Father show us how much we missed just because we failed to unite in fervent prayer.

Recently, I had the opportunity to preach at New Orleans Seminary and tour the city. It is both remarkable and heartbreaking to drive through New Orleans now, some two years after Hurricane Katrina. It is remarkable to see some of the renewal that...

I have just finished watching the news. Death was the main topic of the day. Two coeds senselessly murdered in the prime of life. Bombs in Bagdad killed 50 or more innocent people whose only crime was to do their daily shopping. Death rules in our...

A new television show called "My Dad Is Better than Your Dad" has captured my attention. Four teams made up of a dad and his young son or daughter compete with the goal of determining which dad is stronger, faster, smarter and braver than the...

I am so encouraged! Our churches are awakening to a new vision for missions and evangelism. Although a prairie fire has not broken out just yet, the embers are glowing. I see signs that give me great hope that Oklahoma Baptists are slowly, but...

Across the years, church ministry has become more multifaceted and complicated. We are endeavoring to find more ways to provide for the needs of members and in some cases connect with those outside the church. I find no fault in creative methods...

God has been so good to me. I have enjoyed multiple and varied experiences around the world, all of which impacted my life and strengthened my faith. I am constantly astonished by the saints God has raised up in faraway and often difficult places....

Years ago, a popular commercial for a fast food restaurant showed a diminutive older lady vociferously questioning the person at the counter. "Where's the beef?!" It was humorous, but the advertisement got the point across. Other burger chains...

Disaster: any happening that causes great harm or damage; serious or sudden misfortune; calamity; implies great or sudden misfortune that results in loss of life, property, etc.

Like many of you, I have been to untold number of Christmas programs. It seems that there is a favorite ending to all. Whether a children's play, major choir program or beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, it usually ends with the...

One of my favorite Broadway musicals is Fiddler on the Roof. I can still hear Tevye, the father, belting out in deep and loud tones the word "tradition." Tevye found himself in constant conflict with newer ideas while he just wanted to hold onto...

The complexities of our world intensify every day. Simple issues of the past are far removed. Black is no longer black, but many hues of gray. The world Norman Rockwell painted no longer exists. Our country faces difficult issues that strain our...

A conservative commentator recently committed a dastardly deed. She was asked what a Jew must do to get to Heaven. She responded by stating that they must believe in Jesus as Savior. Her comments set off a firestorm in the media. She was...

The word bivocational describes a person who holds two different jobs that are often completely unrelated. When applied to the church, bivocational frequently means double work and one-half pay. In fact, many who serve as bivocational pastors and...

Worship is a topic that has been discussed frequently over the last several years. Most of the focus has converged on two things, music and preaching. Debate about the style of music seems endless. Argument surrounding the validity of varying...

"Pastor, I love you and appreciate you. You have made a difference in my life, and in those who are important to me. I give thanks to God for you." Simple words, but powerful words. October is clergy appreciation month. It is a time evangelicals...

Politicians have always played loose with facts. Usually they hurl proposals into the wind, hoping we are not bright enough to know their propositions are based on wild-and I do mean wild-guesses. Guesswork is regularly used to support such...

In recent years, there has been an outcry from cutting-edge Christian communicators to use relevant language in communicating Biblical truth. The center of this push has come from those described as seeker friendly. I believe their motives are...

Most of us live in the vortex of a tornado of activity. Between jobs, activities, family and church, time seems to slip away. What is true for adults is also true for our children. The flurry of activities and the demands on their time are mind...

A recent report indicates that Oklahoma ranks ninth in the nation for obesity-not exactly the kind of statistic that we desire to hear. Obesity is an extreme health hazard. It often produces physical problems that can be very debilitating and...

One is a big number! One word can stir strong feelings and move us to action. Think about your emotional and physical response to these simple one-word cries from someone near you: "Fire!" "Snake!" "Run!" "Help!" When faced with frightening...

Disaster seems to be a regular occurrence these days. Oklahoma has contended with six declarations of disaster this year, the most of any state in the union. Recent floods that devastated many parts of our state demanded the best from all of us....

It's that time of year again. The summer has flown by, and now our kids and grandkids are heading back to school. The sound of music is in the air as bands take the practice field. Cheering can be heard on school lawns, where cheerleaders prepare...

Many symbols of Christianity immediately bring to mind scenes from the life of our Savior. When we see a cross, a fish, a shepherd's staff or a basket and two fishes we are challenged to take action toward others and to mirror the acts of our Lord.

There are times in the Christian life when one is so overwhelmed with gratitude and praise that it is impossible to articulate one's feelings. Language is the medium of expression, but at such times it is inadequate to declare the fullness of the...

Greg Frizzell, leader of the BGCO Prayer and Spiritual Awakening ministry, often says, "Five minute devotionals will not bring spiritual awakening." His statement is worthy of serious consideration. Is he right? Can he back it up historically and...

A favorite pastime of some of folks over 40 is "teen bashing." Often it is couched in pious terms, such as, "The way these kids act nowadays, what is this world coming to?" I have been there and said that! We make remarks about their dress, music...