OPINION — The world in which we live is broken because of conflict and disagreement. It was no different in the first century when Jesus walked the Earth and encouraged his disciples to be peacemakers. Surely the living Christ wants his people to...

OPINION — The Apostle Paul was wise. In his first letter to his friends in Thessalonica, he praises them for having followed his advice. In an earlier visit he had instructed them about how to live to please God. Having heard they were doing that,...

OPINION — Older music lovers will remember when the songs of Peter, Paul and Mary were popular. Three of my New Testament heroes are Peter, Paul and Lydia. Men like Peter and Paul were major players in church history but women, like Lydia, have...

OPINION —My seminary training for ministry was equally divided between Vanderbilt University and Emory University. When the Methodist General Conference in 1972 terminated the work I was doing for the Methodist Publishing House, I was offered a...

OPINION —  I grew up realizing that we all live in a world of tribulation. My pastors reminded me that Jesus had assured us life would not be easy when he said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world...

I am writing this on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. This day is the first anniversary of the death of my son, John Mark Albritton. He was 65. Since last words are important, I wish I could remember Mark’s last words to me. I cannot because on the day he...

OPINION — “There is a certain way,” Milton says, “through weakness to the highest strength.” For four years I have struggled with my weakness, sometimes resenting it, always searching for the “strength” to endure it. When Milton says “the Apostle...

OPIINION —In the Bible Satan has many names. He is the Accuser, the Enemy, the Tempter, the Father of Lies, the Serpent, the Deceiver, the god of this world. Jesus called Satan “Beelzebub, the prince of demons.” At other times Jesus called him the...

OPIINION —  Ben Franklin said, “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.” He could have added a third certainty: “The rains and the winds will come.” Long before Franklin’s time, Jesus reminded us that the foundation you build your life upon...

In my reading, a phrase grabbed my attention: “Overdue apologies blocked by pride.” I thought, “Yes, I have been there.” I reckon most people have been there. And I continue to be embarrassed by the way pride has often overcome me. Pride exerts a...

OPINIONOne of the strangest statements in Paul’s letters is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9 where he comments about his weaknesses. He says he is so proud of his infirmities that he will gladly boast about them. I call that strange because very rarely...

OPINION —  Seventy-five years ago, Elton Trueblood dared to publish a book titled “The Future of the Christian.” At the time many insisted that theirs was a post-Christian age because the Christian worldview had lost its influence in the...

OPINION —  A friend of mine and his wife walked into a gift shop while on vacation in California. As they opened the door, causing a little bell to jingle, what they saw was breathtaking. Before them was a large picture window looking out on...

BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION —Words are precious. We communicate our needs, our dreams and our feelings with words. Since it’s Christmas time, let’s reflect on some choice words of the Christmas season.“Clearance” is one. I like it. My wife loved it....

All creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also...

One of the signs that you belong to Jesus is a strong desire to pray. You want to commune with the one who made you a new person. You want to thank God for your salvation and keep your spirit open to the Spirit’s guidance.  Jesus did not see prayer...

OPINION —  As sudden as a lightning strike, a severe pain in my lower abdomen got my complete attention. One minute I was watching a football game; the next I was focused entirely on the sudden pain in my stomach. Assuming it would soon pass,...

BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — My voice was steady. I was calm and composed as I explained to my friends that like the Apostle Paul, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11). I wanted them to know that, with the...

OPINION —  When Dean and I were enjoying a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, I thought about that day when Peter and Andrew, and James and John, heard the call of Jesus.  They were ordinary fishermen, fishing for a living, tending their...