When the apostle Paul boldly made his appeal to Caesar, he was setting in motion a whole process that would have global consequences. It was the right of every Roman citizen who faced serious accusations to have their case heard directly …( read more )

Like most pastors, I'm often jokingly told that our jobs are easy because we work only one day a week. Usually, I laugh along with the person, who thinks that this is exceedingly funny, but within my heart, I'm actually weeping for myself …( read more )

One of the privileges of being with a congregation for a long time is watching people grow in faith, especially during times of adversity, hardship, and loss. I am often touched by the spiritual strength that church members have, which …( read more )

When I was a young rookie pastor, I thought that prophecy was the greatest gift that God could ever give me. I wanted to interpret the times faithfully and show the church folks under my care what God was doing in the world. I felt that I …( read more )

Sometimes, the Bible makes me laugh out loud, especially with some verses from the Book of Proverbs. It's full of common-sense wisdom which, at one time, must have been based on real events. Take today's verse, for instance. Some foolish …( read more )

In the last twenty years, the Church of Scotland has sadly lost 40 percent of its membership. Britain is becoming more secular as each year passes. Despite trying to accommodate worldly and cultural views into its organization, the Church …( read more )

When I was twelve years old, my mother took a nervous breakdown in front of me. We were sitting in the living room, and she just started going crazy, throwing things around her, breaking ornaments and other items, cursing loudly, and …( read more )

The greed of the tenants in Christ's parable from Mark 12:1-12 causes them to lose their rationality and humanity. They want to possess the cultivated land for themselves, so they conspire to rid their community of any outsiders. Their …( read more )

Like everyone else, I experience loneliness from time to time. It's an odd feeling, especially when it occurs in a crowded room or when I'm with a small company of friends. I get lost in my own thoughts and feel isolated from everything …( read more )

The older I get, the more I understand my need for introversion. The world has become a frenzied, noisy, and greedy place that I find difficult to embrace or accept. I cherish quiet places and people, solitary moments and tranquil times …( read more )

My parents' home in Scotland had its own front garden. My dad planted a hedgerow to divide it from our neighbours and placed a green picket fence all around it. To get to the front door of our house, visitors had to walk through the small …( read more )

It was in the Boy Scouts that I learned how to read and use a map. I can remember hiking in the Campsie hills above Glasgow, Scotland, with my Scout troop. As we climbed the hills, a deep fog descended around us, and before long, it …( read more )

We all go through some dark and fearful times in our lives. A serious illness or injury to ourselves or a loved one may create some anxious moments. Domestic strife or a conflict at work may distress us and cause us to despair. Trying to …( read more )

Do you ever get frustrated with injustice? I love the absolute honesty in the Book of Psalms. Whoever wrote those ancient poems certainly wore his heart on his sleeve. Psalm 10 is a good example of someone who finds it difficult to deal …( read more )

There is hope for everyone, even the worst of sinners. I know this to be true, for I am part of that category. We all make ill-advised choices, especially when we are young adults, some of which can ruin our lives entirely. We follow our …( read more )

One of my favourite Appalachian songs, which was recorded by Johnny Cash years ago, is called Wayfaring Stranger. It's a beautiful hymn with a haunting mountain melody. I love the plain, simple lyrics which express faith in terms of our …( read more )

Almost every day, I receive emails from Christian ministries and organizations with invitations to subscribe to a special conference or video series about church growth. They usually try to entice me with special gifts, or they claim to …( read more )

This was the first Bible verse that I ever learned as a child. One of my elementary school teachers, Miss McKenzie, led an after-school program called Scripture Union. Each Wednesday, we gathered in the gym hall to sing choruses, watch …( read more )

I like to look at Facebook several times a day. Because my family is so far away in Scotland, it gives me the opportunity to see what they're doing and to comment on their exploits. I am able to keep in touch with them in a remarkable way …( read more )

Sometimes, the things that we see deeply affect us. It may be a tragic news report on the television, or a picture posted online of some disaster far away. It could be the hurt that we see in a loved one's eyes, or real disappointment in …( read more )

I make mistakes constantly. One would think that after living for just over six decades, I would be full of so much wisdom that I would never do anything incorrect again, but the older I get, the more I repeat the same mistakes, even …( read more )

I cannot honestly read Paul's second letter to Timothy without reflecting on how his words are relevant for today. The great apostle was forewarning his protégé that things would get a lot worse before they became better. He was telling …( read more )

Most church people whom I know try to make the world a better place. They understand their weaknesses and shortcomings; they are aware of their limits and abilities; and they are conscious of their faults and sins. Despite this, they …( read more )

Do you know what it feels like to be unforgiven? Is there some past mistake in your life that you regret but can never fix? Are you carrying a whole dose of guilt because someone else still feels wounded? Are you sometimes sad because you …( read more )

A couple of years ago, we added a rockery to our church campus through a gracious donation from some church members. It was built on the side of a slope which had been perpetually covered in moss and weeds. The whole area, right next to …( read more )

When I read about the fruits of the Holy Spirit, I quickly realize how shallow I am, and that despite my best intentions, I can never display all of these blessings on any given day. I recognize my sinful shortcomings and become fully …( read more )

Like most churches, our congregation has a time of silence during the prayers of adoration and confession. It is a holy moment when we humbly approach God quietly to seek individually His pardon for the mistakes, faults, and sins that we …( read more )

One of the first songs that I ever learned in Sunday school was an old spiritual called "Who built the ark?" It tells the story of the animals going into the ark in different numbers, and the fun part of the song came in the motions that …( read more )

Sometimes, I wish that I had a time machine and could go back to the days when Jesus was teaching in the Jerusalem temple. His lessons and stories must have been captivating. His understanding of the mysteries of God and what life is all …( read more )

Like most folks, I try not to let things distress or disturb me, but when they do, my prayers are peppered with worries and anxieties, which make it difficult to focus on my problem or really ask God for help. As a pastor, I should know …( read more )

In the wake of the tragic Parkland massacre, high school students in the United States have been much in the daily news. Young people are gravely concerned about the violence and want to make changes. Their voice is raw with intense …( read more )

I find today's highlighted verse to be very insightful, especially when I try to justify things that I have done which are questionable. I convince myself that what I'm thinking or doing is right, so, therefore, God will understand, …( read more )

I've suffered from depression for as long as I can remember. Sometimes, it gets so bad that I have to take medicine; at other times, I manage to get through on my own willpower and strength. It's not something that we who suffer from it …( read more )