How can she be a pastor?  For many, this question betrays common sense.  We live in a new day.  Hillary Clinton officially became the first female candidate for President of the United States represented by a major political part.  Whether you support her policies or not, her nomination represents enormous progress towards gender equality in our country.  Why would anyone ask about female pastors?  Aren’t we past, way past, this question? How can she be a pastor?  Many others ask this question with an honest desire to tailor their lives to the words of Scripture.  Scripture provides a few very direct passages that forbid female leadership in churches.  Several denominations restrict female leadership.  Historically, the church significantly limited female leadership.  Yet, in many other[…]

The saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”  Here’s a simple statement that will go a long way to ensuring a great first impression:  Give the Best to the Guest!  Every situation is an opportunity to either serve you or someone else.  A first date often makes or breaks any potential relationship.  First dates reveal a lot about the other person and their intentions.  First dates often determine whether there are second or third dates.  I’d like to say I always brought my “A” game on a first date…but because this is public reading, I’m sure there are more than a few people who might disagree.  How do I know?  Well, they didn’t give me a second date!  Someone[…]

I got some great kids.  Can I brag a minute?  My daughter went for her 5 year old check up.  They tested her up and down.  The doctor was amazed at her verbal communication skills.  She tested well above average.  Yep…that’s my preachers kid!  She’s a talker!  I love that my little girl is excelling.  She does great in school.  I think the sky is the limit for what she could do with her life.  I don’t want her to waste any potential.  I want her to be simply great! Is it “Unchristian” to want to be great?  Greatness sounds so prideful and arrogant.  The problem isn’t seeking greatness but our expectations of how we get there.  If greatness is a position reached by climbing[…]

How do we prepare for our BIG Day? She said, “I will.”  Perfectly timed and perfectly said, those two words changed my heart!  Sometimes the written word doesn’t do justice to the importance of tone, body language, and inflection.  When the church doors swung open and I saw my bride dressed in spectacular beauty, I began to sob.  I tried my best to maintain composure, but I had never seen anything so beautiful.  As she walked down the aisle towards me, her beauty only grew in magnitude.  Tears welled in my eyes.  She held my hand.  She was here, dressed like that, for me! As the pastor officiating our wedding asked me if I would take Kerri to be my wife, my voice failed and[…]