The challenge of the unexpected OPINIONGenealogy mattered to Matthew. So he began his gospel by tracing Jesus’ ancestors from Abraham to Joseph, thus proving Jesus Christ to be both the Son of David and the Son of Abraham. As the son of Abraham, he...

A man I wish I had known If I were to name ten people I wish I had known, Carl Sandburg’s name would be on my list. I would love to have sat on the porch of his Blue Ridge Mountain home and talked to him about his life and his poetry.Years ago Dean...

Staying Power OPINION — Staying power, the courage to persevere, to stay the course. Some have it; some don’t. Difficulties, failures or opposition cause some to throw in the towel. Some cannot handle criticism; they wilt under the censure of...

His love means nothing to me OPINION — I love a good story and the best stories have a happy ending. I like it when the big bad wolf loses and the three little pigs win. I cheer for the tortoise when he beats the hare to the finish line.The...

A few words fitly spoken OPINION — The scene before me remains etched in my mind. I had walked into a huge ballroom in a hotel in Dallas, Texas, 15 minutes late. Five hundred people were already seated at tables, and I had no idea where to find a...

Finding peace in my 'Remember Room' OPINION — When I turned 70 and retired from fulltime ministry, I found time to read books that I had little time to peruse while serving as a pastor. One of the authors I enjoyed was Frederick Buechner and his...

Who's that knocking on the door OPINION — Comer Woodall was at the controls the first time I flew in an airplane. A young and popular Methodist preacher, Comer was preaching in a youth revival in Wetumpka during the summer of 1950. He was a pilot...

Facing the unpredictable OPINION —When I was 40, Bruce Larson was one of my favorite authors. His book, The Emerging Church, affirmed for me the necessity of small groups for growing churches. In Dare to Live Now,he challenged lukewarm Christians...

An appointment with God OPINION — Spending time in prayer, alone with God, has been one of the wisest decisions I have ever made. As I look back, my only regret is that I did not spend more time praying.Only one man ever ridiculed me for praying....

Picking Up The Pieces OPINION — One of life’s greatest lessons is learning to pick up the pieces and get back in the game. To live well in the brokenness of our world is a lesson everyone must learn.Looking back at my childhood, I am so thankful my...

He will restore hope for the future OPINION — My wife and I were guests of friends in Falls Church, Virginia. I was preaching in their church for a few days. About 4:30 on the morning of our second day there, I collapsed in the hallway. The noise...

My philosophy of life changed OPINION — Years ago I was observed that many successful people have a philosophy of life that provides motivation and energy for living. I determined to write my own, but decided first to research “philosophies of...

Welcome the touch of another hand OPINION — Need a job? A good way to get hired is to say to a foreman, who might need someone with your skills, “Can you use another hand?” If he accepts your offer, and you put in a good day’s work, you may have a...

That trembling in my soul OPINION — Were You There” is a haunting phrase in the old spiritual, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” The refrain stirs my soul every time I sing it: “Oh! Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble ….”The song...

He died for you OPINION — As a young pastor I was taught, when serving the Sacrament, to say to each recipient, “The body and blood of Jesus.” I did that for many years. Then one Sunday I felt led to say simply, “He died for you.”It is one of the...

Leaning on Jesus OPINION — In this last chapter of my earthly life, I have moved from struggling with grief to struggling with cancer. It has been a new experience to sit in a large waiting room with 30 other patients, all of us waiting for our...

I love you 'Honey' OPINION — Life lessons abound in the common events of life. I learned a good one while refilling the little honey jar I bought from Ruttan Family Farms in LaPine, Alabama.My son Steve’s friend, Butch Ruttan, is the beekeeper who...

The Key to finishing Strong OPINION — I grew up in the church. Mama said I pitched a fit when she left me in the nursery. In church I met many fine teachers and youth leaders. I met the girl who would become my wife, and other boys and girls who...

The most tragic word in society OPINION — Jesus was preparing his disciples for his departure. He washed the feet of his disciples as an example of the love they should have for each other. He had endured the pain of observing Judas leave the table...

Suddenly Jesus! OPINION — On the day God raised Jesus from the dead, two disciples of Jesus were walking on the road to Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. The two may have been husband and wife, Cleopas and Mary, possibly the two mentioned...