George McClellan is one of the most frustrating men I know. Well, I don’t really know him since he has been dead for more than 130 years. But I know about him.
I like reading history books because I always learn something that applies to life today. Here are some recently learned (or relearned) lessons from Civil War days and the disappointing life of General George McClellan.
-Early success isn’t always helpful. McClellan entered West Point at 15 and Continue reading
Posted in history, humility, Uncategorized
Tagged Abraham Lincoln, Christianity, civil war, George McClellan, humility, leadership, military, Religion and Spirituality
I’ve given birth to a new book. (Well, it was a different kind of labor than you mothers have.) It is called “30 Days to Acts: A Devotional Commentary”. You can get this devotional book at Amazon. (Just click on the picture.) Merry Christmas!
Posted in books, Christianity, Uncategorized
Tagged bible study, book, Christian, Christianity, devotional, devotional book, faith, God, Jesus, new book, relationship with god, Religion and Spirituality
Recently, a man with a terminal disease came to speak with me about his funeral. That is a sobering conversation to have. While we don’t know how long he has left in this life (does anyone really?) it reminded me of some important things.
– We are all dying. This is the land of the dying. I look forward to going to the land of the living one day. But this is not that place.
-Life is fleeting. Time goes forward, never backwards. Young men become old men quickly. We never get to relive it.
-Big things need to be big. At the end of life we tend to think of family and love and joy and faith. Smaller things don’t seem that important from that perspective.
-Faith matters. This man gave his life to Christ just a Continue reading
Posted in blessings, Christianity, encouragement, faith, perseverance, Uncategorized, words of wisdom
Tagged Blessing, Christian, Christianity, death, deeper faith, Evangelism, faith, God, heaven, hope, life, Religion and Spirituality
Like so many, my family will watch some Christmas movies this year. It’s a fun tradition.
-We’ll watch “A Christmas Story” and say “adios, Bart” with a hard “a” on the adios while giving warnings about the danger of shorting one’s eye out.
-We will watch “Elf” and note that Francesco is indeed a fun name to say.
-We will probably watch “Christmas Vacation” and remember that the jelly of the month club is the gift that keeps on giving.
-“Home Alone” might slip in there as we ask Continue reading
Posted in Christianity, Christmas, Uncategorized
Tagged Christianity, Christmas, Christmas movie, church, God, Jesus, local church, relationship with god, worship
Whither? At least I didn’t say “ye olde Cooperative Program”. But sometimes it feels as though the Cooperative Program, the primary means by which Southern Baptists have funded their missionary and educational responsibilities for decades, has been relegated to an unnecessary relic of the past. Is that a good thing?
The percentage given by the average SBC church to the Cooperative Program (CP) has dropped over the years to just over 5%. Is that a good thing?
Some churches have, instead, adopted a more societal approach to missions. They tend to do direct mission work (or support those who do) instead of the more cooperative work of the CP.
There are several reasons given for this. “There Continue reading
Posted in baptist, cooperative program, missions, southern baptist convention, southern baptist convention, Uncategorized
Tagged Baptist, Christianity, church, cooperative program, International Mission Board, local church, missions, Religion and Spirituality, SBC, seminary, southern baptist convention
The question is phrased differently but often asked. Why international missions? Why not focus on the needs here? Aren’t there enough spiritual needs in America to focus upon? Why care about those so far away? Couldn’t we better spend our money here?
Here are some of my answers to “why missions?”
1. Missions is biblical. The bible talks frequently about the gospel being for all nations. Everyone needs the Lord, not just those who speak English or live nearby. Frankly, Continue reading
I’ve read a couple of books recently that taught me more about the life of J.P. Morgan, the famous banker. I didn’t know much about his life and work but he was among the most powerful men in the world for a time. He had great wealth, incredible influence and a massive art collection.
There was one thing that really surprised me about the man. He was Continue reading
Posted in bible, Christianity, Church, theology, Uncategorized
Tagged bible, book, Christian, Christianity, church, denomination, faith, God, Jesus, relationship with god, Religion and Spirituality, theology
The world of pastors and other vocational ministers is a different world. It can be wonderful, fulfilling, frustrating and discouraging all in the same day. It is fantastic because we get to work with people and it can be challenging because… well, because we get to work with people.
The majority of ministers do it because they believe God has called them to this important task. They want to make a difference in this world and in eternity. They care about people and love the message of the gospel. Their motivation, if they are what they need to be, is to honor the Lord, teach His word and help others to join them in following Jesus.
But, like all people, they have needs. Let me mention four things pastors need from their churches.
1. They need Continue reading
I’m starting my 21st year as pastor of First Baptist Church, O’Fallon, IL. We celebrated my 20 year anniversary with a reception, some ice cream (woo hoo!) and thoughtful cards and gifts. It has me thinking about the value of longevity for pastors.
Let’s face it. Some pastorates are short term for good reason. Sometimes the fit doesn’t work. Sometimes financial limitations or inflexibility or unwillingness to play nice ends relationships. Staying long term isn’t always best for the church or the pastor. I get that. But let me offer some suggestions about the benefits of long term pastorates for those who can make it work.
1. It builds Continue reading
Posted in Christianity, Church, pastor
Tagged Christian, Christianity, church, church life, First Baptist Church, local church, longevity for pastors, pastor, pastors, Religion and Spirituality
The Civil War wasn’t very civil. There were more American casualties than all the rest of our wars combined. It was ugly and brutal and lasted far longer than any had anticipated.
On summer vacation I read “Battle Cry of Freedom” by James McPherson. It won a Pulitzer Prize so I figured I should give it a try. And why, by the way, have my books been skipped over in this Pulitzer Prize thing? But I digress.
The book is less than 900 pages. Long, but much shorter than some others including Shelby Foote’s trilogy. It is well documented and well written. The well written part is really helpful, especially when there are 900 pages involved.
I note a couple of things that I learned or Continue reading
Posted in books, history, military, Uncategorized
Tagged book, Christian, Christianity, civil war, God, history, James McPherson, Lincoln, Religion and Spirituality, Shelby Foote
We’ve come to a new year. Again. The clock keeps ticking and the calendar page inevitably turns. Truth be told, I thought I had chosen this new word for 2026: Covenant COVENANT: Agreement or promise In reality, I feel like it chose me. When I read this verse in Deuteronomy I knew that God was […]
Doug Munton 