Monthly Archives: April 2013

The second process of restoration involves the rescue of a believer.  Sanctification is never smooth, and sometimes Satan snares us in sins that are so serious we find ourselves estranged from the Lord and His people.  Paul grieved over Demas who deserted … Continue reading →

Radiant Restoration Soon after arriving at my first full-time ministry in a small town in Kentucky, our church received a generous inheritance earmarked for building improvements.  We used the funds to sand blast our stained brick exterior, replace missing mortar, re-shingle and … Continue reading →

Perhaps you have witnessed something called a “cardboard testimony” in a worship gathering.  The congregation I serve has shared in this experience twice, and both times worshippers were moved to tears.  A cardboard testimony involves briefly describing a personal challenge … Continue reading →

Radiant Relationships My first formal lesson on the church was delivered by Mrs. Maggard, the preschool teacher in my home church.  She taught our class a “finger play” with this simple story line: “Here’s the church (two hands folded with … Continue reading →

A church that knows the source of its radiance not only lives to praise Christ, but also finds peace in His presence.  Several years ago George Strait popularized a song about a man who rejected a woman because he foolishly … Continue reading →

Pure Radiance Before we proceed, we need to get something straight when it comes to Christ’s Bride.  Much of our focus has been on how the church is perceived by the world.  This is critical to our success in a … Continue reading →

At most wedding receptions, the bride and groom make their way through the room to thank their friends and relatives for coming.  As they move from table to table, people have an opportunity to tell the bride how beautiful she … Continue reading →

Self-Absorbed Stuff  Weddings are all about the bride.  Can you imagine what people would say if they attended a wedding and the bride was already at the altar waiting for her groom to enter the room?  What if he walked in … Continue reading →

Not every church family copes well with tragedy, often through no fault of its own.  Consider when Christ’s Bride made her grand entrance in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.  The Jerusalem church, where disciples fellowshipped, broke bread, prayed and learned … Continue reading →

Tragic Stuff In the year 2008 I experienced the most painful season to date in ministry.  For several months I had been walking with some staff members through some significant personal trials.  We were all weary, and I was convinced … Continue reading →