September 1, 2024
Sadly, prayer is often little more than a formality many people practice out of tradition. But when we look closely at Jesus’ model prayer in Luke 11:1-4, we discover that prayer is much more than form; it is a dynamic and transformative fire.
May 1, 2024
Every marriage begins as a mustard seed—a small, yet potent commitment between two souls. . . .
March 1, 2024
The Significance of Happenings Leading to Happiness
January 1, 2024
By Rudy Hagood My wife, the unbelievably beautiful Osharye, recently shared an article titled, “We’re Talking About (Marriage) Practice.” In it, she reminded us of the cultural phenomenon from 2002 when basketball star Allen Iverson famously said, “We’re talking about practice . . . not a game . . . we’re talking about practice.” (If you haven’t read it, you might enjoy doing so before reading this.) Osharye’s words got me to thinking about the areas of our marriages that are underdeveloped due to a lack of, well, practice. One area where we could become proficient is in the art
January 1, 2024
Years ago, a wise older minister gave me some good advice. “Always read the Gospels a lot,” he said, “because in the daily grind of leading a church and preaching week after week, it’s tempting to take your eyes off Jesus.” . . .
January 1, 2024
By David Faust Remember the song “Winter Wonderland”? It contains a line about a talking snowman that a cheery couple imagines to be an ordained minister. They nickname him Parson Brown. “Are you married?” he asks, and they respond, “No man, but you can do the job when you’re in town.” Parson comes from the Latin persona. In the past, some ministers were called “parsons” and their homes were known as “parsonages.” In his Commentaries on the Laws of England, the 18th-century legal expert Sir William Blackstone wrote that a parson’s job is to “carry out the business of the
December 11, 2023
In his encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, Jesus shattered gender, ethnic, religious, social, and cultural barriers. . . .
November 27, 2023
Every six months, Kevin Schmidt climbs a 1,500-foot communication tower to change the red-flashing lightbulb. If you think that takes moxie, imagine what it’s like to step down from heaven to earth . . .
November 1, 2023
By Osharye Hagood I am one of seven siblings and grew up in densely populated Los Angeles. Even in a family and city so large, it’s easy to feel alone. My late brother Hussin was only 14 months older than me, but he was my hero. No, he was my superhero. We shared an unbreakable bond. Even when we were apart, I felt I was never alone. I mean this both emotionally, but also, in a way, tangibly. For example, a school bully once targeted me. The bully saw me by myself and assumed I was vulnerable. When he approached,
September 11, 2023
Not only did the wife admire her husband, and not only did the husband describe his wife, but the friends of the couple also spoke about the couple’s love for one another. . . .
September 4, 2023
If God has blessed you with a noble wife, thank him—and tell her. . . .
September 4, 2023
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Husband Speaks” (Song of Songs 1:15; 4:1-15), by Mark Scott.
September 1, 2023
By Chris Philbeck As I write this column, I’m in the middle of a message series called, “Truth Over Trend” (series title not original to me). The specific topics are gender identity, same-sex relationships, deconstruction of the Christian faith, and having the courage to speak up for biblical truth. You’d have to have your head buried in the sand not to realize the seriousness of these issues in our world and culture, and the impact they have on our local communities and families. Writing the first two messages on gender identity and same-sex relationships reminded me of an important truth
September 1, 2023
By Osharye Hagood Practice is a key principle to having a “winning” marriage. Back when we were learning to drive a car, or playing on a sports team, or perhaps learning to dance, we underwent the repetition of practice. This perspective has been extremely helpful for me in my marriage to Rudy. I wake up each day with the desire to have a great marriage, and I understand this can only happen over time, with practice, by the power of God. Please hear me when I say, the gift of love does not equate to a world-championship marriage. It takes practice.
August 28, 2023
In Song of Songs, students will learn of a woman’s love for her husband, the husband’s love for his wife, the watchful celebration of their love by the couple’s attendants, and the Lord of love whose love is the basis for all other loves. . . .
August 28, 2023
My wife Candy's marriage advice boils down to five key factors . . .
August 28, 2023
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Shulammite Woman Speaks” (Song of Songs 1:1-4, 12-14; 2:1, 3-7, 16-17), by Mark Scott.
July 1, 2023
Amid Infidelity and Imprisonment, I’ve Found Healing and Peace
July 1, 2023
By Rudy Hagood We all know that parenting our kids is hard. Yet, I think we forget that when we were kids, we were just as hard on our parents! I want to speak with you parent-to-parent. Osharye and I are not perfect parents, and our kids are not perfect, and as much as it pains me to say it in print, our grandkids—even though they are perfect to us—are not perfect either. (Ouch, that last admission hurt!) So, let us find comfort in our perfect heavenly Father, who heals and covers our many imperfections! Paul wrote, “For this reason
May 10, 2023
In Celebrate Recovery, making amends is one of the final steps. This step demands a person seek forgiveness from anyone they’ve hurt or offended, as well as grant pardon to those who’ve hurt or offended them. I still had one last person to pardon . . . and she had hurt me most. It was my own mother. But to understand the end, let’s start from the beginning. . . .
April 7, 2026
John B. Penrose Jr
April 7, 2026
David Faust
March 27, 2026
Rick Cherok