As we come to the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 we will begin to see the greatest episodes of self-deception given at any time in a given year. More individuals lie to themselves from the end of December to the start of January than any other week. Promises about exercise, diet, moral change, renewed devotion, and the like fill our minds. For most, however, by the time mid-January arrives we find ourselves to be remarkably adept at … →

Maximus Eating a Rat from Alvin Reid on Vimeo.

I have always loved reptiles. As a youngster I caught every snake, lizard or turtle I could. I was responsible for the death of two iguanas (I did not at 11 know the difference between iceberg and romaine lettuce). After coming to SEBTS I began keeping exotics (non-native). We have a killer reptile show every year in Raleigh which helped. Then along came my friend Dan Breeding. I have had a 5 foot monitor lizard, anaconda, Burmese, rock, ball and … →

This time of year one of the more common expressions heard in the Christian subculture is “let’s keep Christ in Christmas.” Most of the time I hear this uttered in reference to the use of the phrase “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” in pop culture, the media, and more than a few retailers. For those of us in the church who worship the babe born in Bethlehem, we would do well to look inwardly to see whether we in … →

I don’t know about you, but 2009 had more than its share of milestones for me. I turned 50. I published the closest thing I likely ever will to a “magnum opus” in my new Evangelism Handbook. Our son Josh turned 21 and our daughter Hannah turned 16, both pretty big deals. Michelle and I celebrated 28 years of marriage, each year reminding me how blessed I am to have her. We also settled into a new church for the … →