What is church revitalization, and what are some keys to experiencing it?  

What lies just outside the front door of your church? For many, the door opens to a county road punctuated with old mailboxes leading up long driveways to homes in rural Georgia. For others, it opens to a city block that has changed dramatically in the last several decades

When the renowned radio commentator from a previous generation, Paul Harvey, was asked the secret of his success, he replied, “I get up when I fall down.”

As we age, we become physically weaker and tend to give up activities we once enjoyed. This is normal, but it can be depressing for some people.

When the alarm went off on Sunday morning at 4 a.m., there was a lot to do. Coffee day for our jail Bible study meant brewing started early.

No church expects this. It would be hard for me to believe that a church that truly seeks the Lord would even welcome this. But unfortunately, sometimes pastors pass away while actively serving a congregation.

True confession: my mind wanders. It doesn't necessarily wander during a conversation, but more when I am alone.

Anxiety has become so commonplace that many people accept it as a normal part of life. We make jokes about being chronic worriers, but fear quietly steals our joy, clouds our judgment, and distracts us from the goodness of God.

A new member showed up at our community group not long ago. He was eager, engaged, and clearly hungry to grow. But when we opened our Bibles, he paused. “I didn’t bring one,” he said.

The first vacation I can recall with Connie and our girls came as a result of a church member giving us a free pass to a timeshare cabin in Gatlinburg, Tenn. This family had purchased a week’s lodging but was moving back to Alaska and gave the trip to us.

After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to his disciples and said to them: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:18–20).  

Healthy things grow. Healthy things also require attention. Farmers walk their fields. Business owners review their operations. Families evaluate priorities and schedules. In much the same way, healthy churches periodically pause to evaluate their ministry, celebrate God’s faithfulness, and consider how they can be even more effective in fulfilling the Great Commission.

The 57th running of the world’s largest 10k, Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race, was full of great moments: 61 of them, as a matter of fact, at least for me.

Some years ago, a major car manufacturer recalled millions of vehicles after reports of unintended acceleration, including concerns that accelerator pedals could become stuck or trapped by floor mats. In some reported cases, drivers claimed they had difficulty slowing or stopping the vehicles even while applying the brakes.

There are many worrisome things in life. Some are rightfully troubling, while others are actually trivial. However, there are four points to consider of great and even urgent importance.

Georgia, the Peach State, is an amazing place to live and a wonderful place to serve the Lord and proclaim his unconditional love and undeserved grace. However, there are godly people who are faithfully serving the Lord in the largest state east of the mighty Mississippi River who are led by the Spirit to move to other states and nations as ambassadors for Christ.

A few months ago, Scott Connell shared a statement that continues to challenge me: “The most important sound each Sunday is the sound of the congregation singing.”

The bivocational pastor leaves work around 5 p.m., but his day is far from over. Three sermons still need preparation this week, a church member is in the hospital, and another family is struggling. He wants to be fully present with his own family, but too often they receive what remains after everyone else has taken their share.

Our daughter, Jessica, shaved her head a few weeks ago. I know. I was surprised, too. She wasn’t having some kind of breakdown, praise the Lord. She was just tired of her hair falling out in handfuls due to health issues and medicine.

I was thinking this week on faith. Faith is the confident assurance that God will fulfill His promises even when we don't see the pathway. It is not just wishful thinking or blind belief, but it is trusting and relying on God, evidenced by our obedience and action.

None of us ever asks God for trials. We pray for healing instead of sickness, peace instead of conflict, and provision instead of uncertainty. Adversity interrupts our plans, steals our comfort, and exposes our weaknesses.

The Apostle Paul expressed in clear terms his appreciation to the Philippian believers because of their gospel partnership. Paul wrote Philippians 1:3-5, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” 

According to researchers at the University of Michigan, the average child laughs 150 times a day, while the average adult laughs only 15 times. Candidly speaking, I doubt I make it to 15 on most days. 

I know people who believe in miracles, as I do. But I also have known those who did not.

In September 1968, an Argentine couple and their two young children boarded a plane in Buenos Aires and flew to New York City. It was supposed to be temporary.