Church membership means different things to different people. In the Bible Belt South, church membership is one’s civic duty. The Constantinian mandate. In North Africa, church membership might well be a death wish. In America, church membership may cost you a little time or a little money. In much of the rest of the world, it may cost you a wife, house or freedom. Whatever it means wherever it means […]
My mom (a.k.a. Mama Max) died on July 4th, 1990. This picture was taken at my 16th birthday meal at Gridley’s BBQ in Memphis. Mom wore her wig with all dignity and elegance. She would die nine months later. I’ll never forget the day. I had been watering greens at a local golf course throughout the night (Memphis summers and bentgrass greens don’t play well together). Dad was already at […]
“…as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 5.21). Christians use the stock language of “hating sin” and “killing sin.” Those wanting to sound especially holy and smart speak of “mortifying sin.” Sin is indeed an interloper in the Christian soul, a squatter in the Spirit-indwelled heart. Because of Christ sin has no rights, privileges or legal […]
A blessed man is one enduring trial, because after being approved he will receive the crown of life promised to those who love him [God]. . . . We consider blessed those who endured.” (James 1.12 5.11a) The church’s happy heroes are those who endure trial many times over and for a lifetime. “Trial” (peirasmos) could just as easily be translated “testing” or “temptation.” Be it God’s faith-refining tests hijacked […]