Just over a month ago, the drama director at our church approached me about participating in the upcoming presentation.  Despite my very best excuses, he convinced me to be involved with this year’s production.  He said, “All you’ll need to do is grow a beard.”  Now, I was suddenly intrigued.  What in the world would he need me for?  I didn’t have to memorize any lines, I didn’t have to come any practices—all he wanted me to do was grow a beard.  I consented and enjoyed not having to shave for several weeks.  There’s something that seems incredibly manly about not shaving and other people actually noticing.  He said, “I need you to be Jesus in the Easter drama.”  From that day even until today, the kids in our church have been calling me Jesus.

Now, I understand that no one, even at his best, could ever come close to being an appropriate representation of Jesus Christ.  But for the weeks leading up to our drama, I did everything I could to act just like Jesus.  I believe this is what Peter had in mind when he wrote, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (I Peter 2:21).

As Christians, it is our responsibility to become a “little Christ” while we live here on this earth.  We were not saved and then immediately called up into heaven, but rather Read more…

I don’t suppose it’s a New Year’s Resolution, but I have chosen to read through my Bible chronologically this year.  There is an app on my phone that makes this easier than trying to divide it up myself.  Naturally, the first couple of days I read in the book of Genesis, up until chapter eleven.  There was then a gap between Genesis eleven and twelve, which put me in the book of Job.  One advantage to reading this way is that I end up reading accounts side by side that are several books apart.

In Job 23:10, he writes, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”  We all know the story of Job.  Everything, save his own life, was suddenly stripped away from him at once.  God allowed Job to suffer trials during a season of his life.  Also, this testing was not the result of any wrong doing on the part of Job.  Bible commentator Matthew Henry said, Read more…

Just around the corner is our annual T3 Youth Conference, here at Eastland Baptist Church.  This will be the third year we are hosting this conference and we’re looking forward to seeing what the Lord will do as a result.  The dates for this year’s conference are December 28-30th.  One unique thing about this conference is that it’s tucked between Christmas and New Year’s, at a time when teenagers are out of school and left with nothing to do.  T3 serves as a challenge for teens to start their New Year off in the right way—serving God and studying His truth!

In John 17, Jesus is giving His formal farewell to the disciples.  He begins chapter seventeen with a prayer, both for Himself and then for Christians.  Jesus also prays here for future generations of believers, those who will hear the Gospel long after His death on the cross.  John 17:17 records these words of Jesus, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Right before Jesus lays down His life, He lays down a pattern for future believers to know Him— Read more…

People love sports; there can be no arguing this fact. No matter where you find yourself within the four corners of our great nation, you can be sure you’re among diehard sports fans. Every region has their different taste of athletics; some sports are more prevalent, some teams are more popular. I had the unique privilege of growing up in North Carolina. Our colleges participated in most sports, but only one really mattered—basketball.

There are two primary college basketball teams in our state, the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils. These two teams have shared a fierce rivalry for many years, as their college campuses are only about fifteen miles apart. My dad is a Tar Heel, his dad is a Tar Heel; therefore, I have Carolina Blue running through my veins. I’ll allow the reader to decide which of these two teams is better; but I will tell you this small, unbiased detail: North Carolina has beaten Duke more times head-to-head.

Over the years of cheering for the Heels, I’ve been asked this same question countless times, “What is a Tar Heel anyway?” Although the exact etymology of this term is unknown, the legend of the Tar Heels is quite interesting. During the US Civil War, North Carolina was considered Read more…

Recently I was using my trusty GPS (global positioning system) to navigate me through some unfamiliar territory. I was making surprisingly good time; with each look at my ETA (estimated time of arrival), I had gained at least a minute or two! Unfortunately, I was navigated to a “dead end” road. The last words spoken by that GPS were, “arriving at destination” where no destination could be found. How frustrating it was to make great time in getting to the wrong place. Somewhere between the configuration of my GPS and my current trip, someone had apparently dropped the ball. How devastating would it be if the gospel were treated this lightly? “Arriving at destination” when no destination is in sight!

Ignatius was one of the early church fathers who lived during the first century. He was condemned to die for his faith in Christ and was ordered to be thrown among wild beasts that would devour him. Shortly before his final breath, Read more…