Our prison class on Authentic Manhood draws on Stu Weber’s book, Four Pillars of a Man’s Heart: Bringing Strength into Balance. Biblical masculinity includes a delicate mix of being a king, warrior, lover, and friend. All Christians (male and female) need to grow in these Christ-like qualities in Christ-like ways and balance these roles as each situation requires. These character …
Christian Living Lessons from Golf
(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) It is sunny and 85 degrees in Houston today. I drove passed people playing golf and remembered Jim Sheard. Jim is co-author of eight highly acclaimed books and posts encouraging thoughts on his website (beyondthescore.net). I haven’t played golf for many years and was a duffer at best, …
Jesus, Hurricanes, God’s Power & Peace
Christ will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, And a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain. (Isaiah 4:6) Hurricanes Hurricane Harvey in 2017 was an extremely destructive Atlantic hurricane that caused catastrophic flooding in southeastern Texas and Louisiana. Many areas received more than 40 inches of rain and Harvey is the wettest …
Celebrating God’s Reformation
Used at Belhaven University and other places to answer the question: “What do Protestants believe?” It’s not the whole answer, but it’s a start. In Old Testament times the Lord used King Josiah to launch a great spiritual reformation near 622 BC.1 This reformation was sparked by discovering the book of God’s Law (all or part of the Pentateuch, the …
The Blue Marble & Hurricane Harvey
(Excerpt from teaching and training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) If the Lord had not been on our side…the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away….Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:1-4,8) This …
Unshackled!
My testimony aired recently on “UNSHACKLED!”, the radio ministry of Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago and God used them to bring me to Christ in 1976. In 2016, I sent them another note thanking them for their faithfulness to the Lord and for blessing me. They asked me to submit my testimony for possible use. After numerous questions, telephone calls, …
Gold from Giants of the Faith (Part 2)
Last time, we featured quotations from Charles Hodge (CH) and his son, A. A. Hodge (AAH). Here we complete that listing. If you missed it, you can go back and read Gold from Giants of the Faith (Part 1). While Charles Hodge was a deep theologian with a first class intellect, he was not a cold rationalist. He believed that …
Gold from Giants of the Faith (Part 1)
Frank (not his real name) is a man in our class at Jester III prison. He discovered the writings of Charles Hodge (“CH,” 1797-1878) and his son, A. A. Hodge (“AAH,” 1823-1886), and is being blessed by reading them. Frank said, “These men had such a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. I want to be on fire for the …
Columbus’ Voyage Reminds Me of Christ
(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) I used this story at a funeral service, pointing survivors to our eternal hope guaranteed by Christ’s resurrection. Jesus says: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; If it were not so, I would …