When it comes to Bible reading, hesitation abounds for a variety of reasons. People ask questions like: What are the benefits of Bible study? What’s in it for me? If I invest my time in this manner, what’s the payoff? What difference will it make in my life? I want to suggest three benefits you […]
Don’t Wait to Develop Healthy Habits
It’s easy to believe that once you graduate, get married, get a better job, settle down, or [insert whatever other milestone you’re hoping to reach next], you will have more time to focus on Bible study, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines. Quite the opposite is true. For most people, responsibilities and time-consumers will not decrease […]
Grace and Truth: Read Through the Bible With Us in 2024
I was recently asked what one thing had most spurred my spiritual growth over the years. The answer was easy: I read the Bible every day, and I read it in its entirety every year, and it’s a non-negotiable in my daily routine. By Dec. 31, I hope to finish reading the Bible through for […]
Wholly Healthy: Shocking Truth — The World is Not Overpopulated
Here’s a shocking tidbit that doesn’t get much news coverage: The world is not overpopulated. In fact, it is steadily and rapidly becoming underpopulated. In fact, the U.S. population is just barely at maintenance (that is, each adult replaces himself or herself). And this is mainly due to immigration. People just aren’t having many children. […]
Outside the Walls: Family Ties
I’ll never forget Thanksgiving 2021. My mom’s house was full of chaos. My dad was the father of five sons, so family gatherings are pretty loud and full of testosterone. My son’s crazy uncles were embellishing stories I would have to correct later. Grandkids were out of control, loud laughter from my uncles could be […]
Legislative Update: Gifts Under God’s Christmas Tree
The 125th South Carolina General Assembly will begin Tuesday, Jan. 9, and conclude Thursday, May 30. In between those two dates, members of the Assembly will propose, debate, pass, and vote down legislation that will affect the lives of nearly 5.2 million South Carolinians. In January, I will outline some of the legislative priorities that […]
Peace on Earth and Mercy Mild: A Reflection on Our Glorious Hope
Dr. Viktor Frankl was an Austrian psychiatrist who lived as a prisoner in Auschwitz and other concentration camps during World War II. Dr. Frankl experienced unspeakable horror during his years of captivity, yet during that time he was able to discern the reasons why some people survived the camps and others didn’t. He wrote a […]
New and Noteworthy Books: December 2023
God’s Not Done with You: Encouragement from the Bible’s Greatest Comeback Stories (Good Book Company) by John Meador We all experience setbacks and disappointments in life. Sometimes those setbacks become entire seasons of life. Businesses fail, relationships falter, discouragement and doubts set in, and circumstances overwhelm us. We feel like past failures define our present […]
Striking the Waters: Noel — Great Wonders Through Unlikely People
Many unexpected treasures are embedded in the Christmas story. One of these treasures is the simple but life-changing truth that God often works through the unlikeliest of people to accomplish the greatest of wonders. Three operative human characters are cast in Luke 1:39–45. Each of them is an unlikely character on that first noel. MARY. […]
Grace and Truth: Thank You, Lord, for Another Year of Preserving Grace
I clicked on her Facebook page with eager anticipation of seeing her husband again — an old friend — and their two children, now grown and likely with families of their own. Our two families had been among the up-and-coming leaders in our church many years ago. I viewed them both as spiritual giants. They […]