Going home was a wonderful experience for me during my first 18 years. I rode a yellow school bus ten miles to school. I loved school but I was glad to return home every day.  Home gave me a sense of belonging, and a safe refuge where I was loved...

BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — There are likely a dozen good reasons why churches grow. The primary reason, of course, is obvious: God gives the growth. No one ever explained this better than Saint Paul when he wrote to the Corinthian Church, “I...

OPINION- Warning: Reading this may cause you to write a check. But you won’t be alone. Writing this has caused me to write a check. Now, read on; just remember you have been warned. Hunger is a serious global issue. Every day about 25,000 people...

BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — The church is one of Satan’s favorite playgrounds. He delights in getting church members to criticize one another rather than work together to fulfill God’s mission for the church. Jealousy and envy are tools Satan uses...

BY WALT ALBRITTON My friends tell me they admire how strong I have been since the death of my son, Mark, on Jan. 15. I thank them for their kind words. But the truth is, I am not always strong; there are weak moments when sorrow descends upon me...

BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — The author and philosopher, Elton Trueblood, got my attention when he said that Mark 10:45 is the most revolutionary verse in the New Testament. Look at again with that comment in mind: For even the Son of Man did not...

OPINION — In 2022 I ceased being an octogenarian and became a nonagenarian. And now, at age 92,  I can testify that many memories for nonagenarians remain precious. I delight in looking back and giving thanks for many unforgettable friends I have...

BY WALT ALBRITTON OPINION — When Jesus was walking through Jericho, he attracted a large crowd. In the crowd was a man named Zacchaeus who was short of statue, so short he could not see Jesus over the crowd. Determined to see Jesus, he ran ahead of...

By Walt Albritton OPINION — Sherrill Morrison never preached a sermon in his church. A humble truck driver, he was not a prominent, influential leader in his church. However, Sunday after Sunday he stood in the sanctuary welcoming people to church....

Watch out for the rattlesnakes OPINION — Most people will agree with the Bible’s teaching that God is love. And almost everyone would agree that God uses a multitude of ways to inspire his children to walk like He wants them to walk. But here’s a...

Life changing words OPINION — The television commercial said that 50 million Americans have hearing loss. I did a fact check. Turns out the number is more like 30 million. The commercial was probably produced by a hearing aid company.Whatever the...

During the Last Supper, according to John’s gospel, Jesus shared with his disciples the spiritual blessings they would receive after his crucifixion and resurrection (chapters 14-17). They would be blessed with the certainty that Jesus was in the...

You can make a new beginning The calendar – what a marvelous idea! One year ends. A new year begins. I love it!It offers us the opportunity to do two healthy things: let go of the past and make a new beginning.How do you let go of the past? You...

Recalling joy in the Cumberland Mountains OPINION — Living a life filled with love must begin in the home with the family. A preacher cannot share authentic love with others if his family views him as a “street angel and a house devil.”...

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...