Last week I spent some time doing what I truly love in the summer, speaking to youth. I especially love a week like the last one because 1) my family was with me, 2) I served with the guys I love, including Jeff Capps, Josh Hicks, my son Josh, and a rare joy to work with Wes Butler from Texas, a student at the college at Southwestern Seminary. But two other things brought joy this week in addition to several … →

(warning to reader-sometimes blogs are far too narcissistic and egocentric, where the blogger simply opines about himself or herself as if anyone really cares. If you are annoyed by such dribble, feel free to skip the below as I have succumbed to the temptation myself!) Today is June 19, a day before my son’s birthday (20 on 20), and the day Hannah and I return home to be with my wife and son and our home. I love to travel. … →

One of the links below on my site for some time has been to “Between the Times.” If you keep up with blogville you know from Nathan Finn’s fine site that Between the Times has a new focus.  If you have not checked it out I highly encourage you to do so. David Nelson, my friend and dean at Southeastern, just wrote a very nice piece on what is right with the SBC. In so doing he provides I think … →

The year 1989 signaled more for me than a decade of bad music (except for U2 I suppose).  That year I finished decades of formal education, completing all but my dissertation for the PhD.  Early in the year I sent my resume to every SBC college, university, and seminary.  The response I received was less than encouraging; out of over 50 letters sent, I got one personal reply. I have never sent a resume since then unless requested! I sat … →

Okay, I am on vacation so I missed Sunday. This weekend I had the joy of hanging out with a pile of single adults from the great Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte. HGBC has two campuses, Main and North. They stole, er, called one of my colleagues, Stephen Rummage, a few years back. But I still love them.The two singles pastors are Brian Boyles and Jimmy Smith (Brian and Main, Jimmy at North).  Both are students at SEBTS.  Hickory … →