Over the last couple of years, my appreciation for Mission Resource’s approach to ministry has only deepened. We offer microloans to struggling businessmen and women – mostly in Ghana, West Africa. Many have pointed out that there is a huge difference between offering a hand UP and a hand OUT. I saw plenty of handouts during my time in Haiti – some coming from my own pocket. And there is a time and place for straight up gifts of money and resources. But you sure do see a lot of helplessness fostered by such handouts over time. Not to mention…

Each week I get 60 seconds to promote Mission Resource’s work to businessmen and women at the local Business Network International chapter meeting. I always use this as my tagline: “Mission Resource – where we put your charitable dollars to work!”   I figure that if anyone values hard work, it is this group of 20 entrepreneurs. I always want to assure them that donations to Mission Resource bless some of the hardest working people on this planet. It has been two years since I first visited Ghana to see our staff and clients in action. I remember being struck by…

Public Service Announcement for Believers: Whenever you type a Biblical question into Google, one of the top returns – almost always in the first 5 – is going to be from GotQuestions.org. According to their website, they currently average 22 million visits each month. They operate under the pretense of objectivity in giving straightforward answers from Scripture. But know this: the site is Calvinistic. And worse than garden variety Calvinists – these people are stealth Calvinists. Need proof? Check out their page on Calvinism versus Arminianism – it has both text and a well-organized animated video which maintains the appearance…

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Tomorrow at Sardinia Baptist, we are doing it all: singing, praying, preaching, communing, and baptizing. We’ve been looking at the major themes of the Old Testament and how they deepen our understanding of the gospel and what faith and discipleship is all about.  Last week we were looking at the Lord’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15. The fascinating part of that story is the way God puts Abraham into a deep sleep before the actual ratification of the covenant.  Only God – in the form of a smoking stove – passes between the halves of the animals which Abraham…

In a week and two days, God willing, Melissa, Sarah, and I – and hopefully Grandma Trudy – will be heading to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to visit Hannah. We will be staying at a time share not too far from her apartment.  Our plan is to drive part of the way after church and arrive at the beach on Monday. Hannah will be working during the days, so we will have to find ways to occupy ourselves until evenings. Shouldn’t be too hard, I imagine.  Usually I am not too keen on spending time sitting on a beach or…

If God predetermines ALL things, predestines ALL things, and is the author of ALL things … Yet He still has to exert patience with His creation… And He still found Himself regretting the creation of humanity (at the time of the Flood)… And if His wrath is accumulating as His creatures break His laws as He decreed for them to do … Then not only is He both the divine arsonist and the the divine firefighter, but, truly, under Calvinism, God is His own worst enemy. 

I think I might have found my limit. Life has gotten a bit busier ever since I started teaching English as a Second Language classes on Monday and Wednesday nights.  I enjoy teaching the classes and I LOVE my students, but the prep time and the three hour commitment (plus coming and going) twice a week is putting a strain on my energy. I’m committed through Christmas and then I will need to take a second look at continuing. My real problem is that beyond everything I am already struggling to juggle, I need some serious time devoted to my…