Many years ago, I was encouraged to go on a weekend called The Walk to Emmaus. I knew that this Emmaus Walk had something to do with providing churches with servant leaders. Honestly, my attitude was not the best going in. …

When I first began my elementary teaching career, my school wisely assigned an older, experienced teacher to mentor me during my first year. I still recall her wise advice: “If you do not have a purpose and plan for each class session, your students will make one for you …

Purpose is an intimidating word. It’s intimidating because purpose is so important. … I suspect that since the beginning of creation, men and women have asked that question. It’s not only a practical question for planning out the short term and long-term future, but also a spiritual question. …

“What’s next?” That is a question anyone nearing retirement asks oneself over and over again. And if you are a younger person reading this – it will one day happen to you too. After spending a lifetime in …

On December 10, 2008, I was literally crushed. It was the last day of the semester at the Atlanta university where I was a faculty member. (Did you know you can ride a motorcycle 12 months out of the year in Georgia?) The day was glorious…

Happy 2023! … Here at e2, we have carefully – and prayerfully – chosen twelve key aspects of the Christian life in which we hope to be STRONGER this year, and this month, we focus on having STRONGER PURPOSE.

Adults often ask children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” … The Bible is very clear that the ultimate purpose of every life …

During my junior year of college my life saw many new and life-changing challenges, including cancer. Through it all God has been faithful. He has brought people…

A few days ago, my wife Kelley and I had the privilege to baptize our third child, our 12-year-old daughter Nora! Her older two siblings were also immersed a few years ago. As a dad…

A few weeks ago, I returned from a trip to Israel. By God’s grace, I was able to lead a group of friends and family to this incredible land on the other side of the globe. Each time I do so, I encourage those going with me to consider when they experience one of the most powerful moments on the pilgrimage. For me, I had two such moments…

As I looked out over the gathering at our 50th wedding anniversary celebration in October I realized the room was filled with people exemplifying faithful friendships. There were…

This past weekend while sitting in a deer stand on opening day of hunting season, waiting for a big buck to walk in front of me (which didn’t happen), I spent some time on my phone reading a Bible app. I was focused on Paul’s letter…

Are you tired of seeing all the political ads that tout a particular candidate as the best and brightest? I am. I’m also tired of receiving and seeing all the ads for Medicare programs that promise all kinds of benefits…

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me…

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are (Rom. 12:3). I am not humble. There – I said it. I admit it. While I know my gifts are God-given, I sometimes take too much pride in them. Muhammed Ali once famously said…

So, what would you say is the character trait God desires most in people? What quality does He want to see in our lives more than any other? Some would insist it’s righteousness. Others might say service. Still others would argue for love. But righteousness without humility will result in self-righteousness or ‘pharisee-ism.’ And self-righteousness is repugnant to God. Service without humility…

Welcome to November’s good word humility. Did your thinking go immediately to Moses? “Now Moses was humble - more humble than any person on earth.” … I was struck by how many of the dictionary and thesaurus entries were self-centered … defeatist might be the best way to express what I was reading.

As a child, my brothers and I were taught to respect our elders, meaning anyone my parents age or older. Showing respect to our elders became a natural act or behavior for us. We addressed my parents and grandparents, uncles and aunts, their friends, teachers, pastors, and others, by saying “Yes Sir” and “Yes Ma’am.” ... On a few occasions we would forget, and my parents would…