For someone who grew up when and how I did, the question of Jesus continues to mystify many of my so-called friends, when it comes to my recognized newest superhero.

A minister friend of mine once told me that a person can have theology but no faith.  He told me this because at one time I was considering going to school to study the Bible.  My friend, recognizing that I was a rookie trying to crack the starting ,lineup for Christ, suggested maybe a diffe…

It is not always through guile and deceit that the devil works his evil. He can accomplish his goals if he can convince you that what is very important is of little matter and no consequence. This love thing is pretty well documented throughout the Bible and Christ certainly clarifies its im…

They say no one can ever lead a perfect life. Flaws, faults and mistakes are the unavoidable consequences of being human. God lets us know through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that how we handle our imperfections is about as important as acknowledging that we do indeed have them.

They say no one can ever lead a perfect life. Flaws, faults and mistakes are the unavoidable consequences of being human. God lets us know through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that how we handle our imperfections is about as important as acknowledging that we do indeed have them. Allow me t…

Hopefully, this a different take on a familiar subject. Scripture refers to one’s faith, “the size of a mustard seed,” as a true indicator of its power. Faith, for all we talk about it, is probably one of the more misunderstood and unappreciated concepts in Christianity. I believe this becau…

How many of you have ever been too embarrassed to pray, too afraid or really just too ashamed? It is during very difficult times that to kneel down before the Lord (especially after you’ve done exactly that thing which represents the absolute worst in you) seems impossible.

I remember as a high school senior going to a religious retreat and listening to a recording supposedly between the devil and one of his soul recruiters, who was having little to no luck at populating hell. The devil gave him one more chance to succeed before suffering the vilest of consequences.

I remember as a high school senior going to a religious retreat and listening to a recording supposedly between the devil and one of his soul recruiters, who was having little to no luck at populating hell. The devil gave him one more chance to succeed before suffering the vilest of consequences.

One of the telling things about being a Christian, no matter how new the claim might be, is a newfound understanding and appreciation of being by yourself. I don’t mean being lonely or anything. I mean being alone with the Lord.

God made a covenant with His people. He made us a promise. If you’ve lived as long as I have, you’ve had many people make promises to you that they have no intention of keeping or they failed miserably while trying to keep it. I know I’ve broken a promise or two in my day.

I saw something that literally made me stop and think: “Jesus, revolutionary!” The reason for my pause had more to do with how we define revolutionary today and its application in terms of Christ.

As I get older I have become even more fascinated with the concept of time. I’ve always found time as it is talked about in the Bible to be an awesome concept if we can just grasp it and apply time and its value to our own lives.

There is a perception (right or wrong) in our faith that our suffering is an integral part of God’s plan to ready us for the struggle of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Many believe that suffering in some ways is a prerequisite for strengthening one’s spiritual muscle. I think it is…

The bate-n-switch continues unabated in Missouri’s Republican-controlled government. In his January 16 State of the State address, Gov. Mike Parson requested a $350 million bond issue to replace or repair 250 bridges. This request is apparently in response to the smackdown delivered by taxpa…

The scant coverage by The American regarding the National Blues Museum continues, especially in the face of the recent “resignation” of Jeffery Hardin as the executive director. Although Bernie Hayes is a solid choice as interim director, I found it odd how the vitriol and controversy betwee…

With the world in such a tumultuous state, you could say that this is when faith can and is tested. For some, tragic world events just might make you question the existence of the God we profess to believe in.

As believers we really have a lot on our plates. From our perspective, however, that doesn’t mean we are challenged beyond our capacity to fulfill God’s destiny for us. It just means life still happens to us. It just does so with a purpose: God’s. The more we understand and internalize that,…

For someone who grew up when and how I did, the question of Jesus really mystified many of my so-called friends, when it came to my newest superhero.

Faith usually is a minefield to navigate. If you’re not careful, your faith will wilt from the constant barrage of just living. Be it grief, worry, betrayal or just hard times, life has a way of making you think it’s just too hard. Some things are just not worth it. The answer is simply, jus…

We live in a world, this physical one, where the devil has some sway. He even shows up at times with a little bit of swag. And if you don’t or can’t accept this, try removing the “d” and think “evil” in its place. Conceptually some might find it easier deal with the fact that we live in a wo…

I went to church intent on hearing a particular preacher, only to find him absent from the pulpit. The guest minister’s sermon on humility was a stark reminder that’s it is all about the message and never the messenger. Fortunately for me, that was one of the spiritual lessons I learned from…

I saw something the other day that made me stop and think: “Jesus, Revolutionary.”

You know life at times can appear to be just one big roller coaster, a frightening one at that. It’s full of twists and turns, people and events, ups and downs that would make anyone skeptical as to its purpose.

“Blessed and highly favored.” I don’t know where this phrase comes from. But I do understand what it means and, by uttering it, some of us accept its responsibilities and yes, even its consequences.

As I get older I have become even more fascinated with the concept of time. I’ve always found time as it is talked about in the Bible to be an awesome concept if we can just grasp it and apply time and its value to our own lives. What is time, and what are the consequences of actively experi…

Sometimes words alone cannot convey meaning and feelings the way we’d like them to. Trust, for example. The reference point for my meaning is “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all things acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.…

Every now and then I tend to focus on good and evil and its impact on my life. In doing so, the devil inevitably comes up.

As a Christian, no matter how devout, life will put you in the dumps about your particular situation or circumstance. Being a Christian does not guarantee a life void of trial and tribulation. As a matter of fact, being a Christian is tantamount to sending VIP invitations to Mr. Temptation a…

Our suffering is an integral part of God’s plan to ready us for the struggle of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. Suffering in some ways is a prerequisite for strengthening one’s spiritual muscle.

My word for today is steward or stewardship. I haven’t found this very important word in the Bible yet, but I have heard many a pastor preach on it. From the pulpit I’ve heard the question asked, “Are we good stewards of our own sexuality?” 

Right before he was about to be installed as the new pastor of his own church, he said, “When Satan knocks at the door, let Jesus answer it.” I found the thought behind this saying absolutely awesome. I try to imagine actually being able to do this.

To Christians, life and death are part of a belief system that should affect how we live. Faith and death are inextricably connected. Understandably, one must die to this world and be reborn to the next. We believe Christ died physically and overcame that death in order for us to access eter…

Have you ever wondered how the lawyer feels, who knows his or her client is guilty? But that lawyer is able to get the person off based on a legal technicality. Legally, the person is innocent, but morally they are as guilty as sin.

Just how hard is it to be a card-carrying Christian these days? We’ve got card -carrying Democrats and Republicans. You can get a membership card for every organization from the NAACP to the ACLU. The more I study, the more I’m moved to realize that being a professed card-carrying Christian,…

You know, I’ve got to give it to the devil. He truly is as slick as they come. He has some power in this physical world and zilch in the eternal kingdom of heaven. Hence, he has an advantage when it comes to orchestrating the events of this world in order to accomplish two very important thi…

Circumstances in my life and maybe yours have me drifting from time to time. I don’t believe any Christian should indulge in wishy-washy thinking about their own salvation. Whatever you’re going through, however insurmountable the odds appear to be, if the deck is stacked against you in your…

Sometimes words alone cannot convey meaning and feelings the way we’d like them to. “Trust,” for example.

I am remember working with a young man who had been incarcerated for a short while and he, by his testimony, got a lot closer to God during this trial in his life. He says prison is, indeed, the devil’s playground. Due to his attempt to walk with God, he claimed to be under constant attack.

Whenever I find myself at a loss for understanding, or I’m lost period, I inevitably pray for wisdom. It was just something I started doing when I began this walk and something I continue to do.

Have you ever been lost? I mean really don’t know where you are, what you’re doing, how did I get here lost?

I remember reviewing the letters of Paul in Bible study. In doing so I was constantly reminded that one cannot look at Paul without really seeing Jesus’ amazing handiwork. Because the two are so closely associated with one another, I can’t help but consider the impact of this tandem on human…

Today is truly a day that the Lord has made and the more complicated the world gets, the simpler the Word of God is to understand.  Often, and do I mean often, I get reminded of the power and seductive nature of ego, pride and the need to control.  Or, should I say the need to be in control? 

When you add the specter of death to faith, then as Christians we know the two are inextricably linked. Death holds a peculiar place in all this. Fundamental in this regard is that one must die spiritually and be reborn in the reality that Jesus overcame death, died on the cross and rose aga…

The Bible suggests that God has a history of using people in the strangest ways. My take on it is, He uses the strangest people to carry out His divine will.

In the lives of all Christians, there is an inextricable link between faith and death. Death, in this regard, holds a particularly special place. Understandably, one must die to this world and be reborn spiritually to the next. As Christians we accept the reality that Jesus actually overcame…

2 Corinthians 12: 7-9 says, “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, f…

How many of you repent, but remain in a guilty fearful state of mind because you really don’t believe God will forgive? If there was ever a challenge of faith, this is it.

Jesus time and again reminds His disciples that although the laws of His Father are crystal-clear, God is always receptive to a repentant heart. “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation…” 2 Corinthians 7:10.

Some tell me that we live in a world in which Satan has some juice. Some even say the devil rules the physical realm that we live in. He is purportedly in charge to some degree. He was banished here for a reason, you know.