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It is easy to get caught up with an idea that presents something we can both chase after and attain. Take for instance the “American Dream”. Though we see many different views on what that would actually look like today, some of the same core longings of financial stability, family, and the ability to make a difference remain. Scripture presents a different reality that takes us from the pursuit of a “dream” to a GOD given reality. Please understand that I am not diminishing

Someone from our small group recently told me that she enjoyed seeing my wife and I smile at each other and work together in our group. Of course, I was thankful for her comment, but it got me thinking… marriage matters. Better stated, My Marriage Matters. If it’s a reflection of the One on whom it’s built, then those around me will see His light and be drawn to it! Love shared between a parent/child, siblings, friends, even perfect strangers is beautiful. However, the love s

February is here and with it comes the reminder that love is in the air. Valentine’s Day is approaching and with it a chance to promote the sacred bond of man to woman in Holy Matrimony. But does our world today view marriage in the same light or with the same reverence as it once did? The answer, sadly, is no. There have been many factors that have led to this including the sexual revolution that began in the ’60s where the culture began to openly decouple sex from the marri

In the fight for faith and family in America, we have reached the endgame. The Church has only a few pieces left to play and must deploy them strategically. The time for decisive action is now. Seventy percent of all Americans said they belonged to a religious body in the year 2000. However, earlier this year, Gallup published new research that shows this number has dropped to 47 percent, the lowest number in recorded American history! Our nation has never had fewer people g

Maybe you’ve heard the statistic that Christian marriages have the same rates of divorce as the rest of the population. Many Christian leaders quote it. However, a closer look at the data tells a different story. Bestselling author and speaker Nancy Pearcey took that closer look while doing research for her latest book, The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes. She discovered that “regular churchgoers divorce at a lower rate than secular couples, an

In a busy emergency room, chaos reigned as Sarah found herself in the throes of another anxiety attack. Her screams filled the air as she thrashed about, entirely overwhelmed by fear and confusion. A patient care technician (PCT) rushed to her side, attempting to manage her behavior with stern commands and attempts to restrain her. But Sarah grew more frantic, her panic escalating with each passing moment. Enter Nurse Emily, a seasoned RN with empathy and understanding. Inste

My wife Carolyn and I have enjoyed countless Valentine’s Day dates over the years, each one memorable in its own way. However, this Valentine’s Day stood out to us. This year, we were together with friends at a community date night our church hosted. We savored our desserts as laughter and music filled the air. But there was something else that contributed to the joy I felt. This Valentine’s Day coincided with our participation in the Arkansas Marriage Challenge, a statewide

If you live in Central Arkansas, you probably remember where you were one year ago on March 31st of last year. I was at a friend’s office around 2:00 PM that Friday afternoon when my wife, Carolyn, called me. “There is a bad storm coming, and you need to get home,” she told me. I pulled out my phone to check the weather and realized that there wasn’t enough time for me to get home. Not long after, I heard the sirens begin. It didn’t look good, and I saw that the tornado’s pat

As you read the title of this article, there might be a couple of things going through your head right now. If you’re like me, you probably hear Bonnie Tyler’s famous song. If so, feel free to pause and sing it out! On the other hand, both the picture and the words total eclipse might have sent you on a quick daydream about what the next few days are going to look like. For a few short minutes on April 8th, we will experience the effects of the moon passing between the Earth

Every year leading up to Valentine’s Day, I remember my friend and fellow pastor, Mel Amrine. He had a deep love for Christ, a commitment to pray for revival and the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, and a passionate vision to see the Church display the beauty of Christ through our unity. After serving 40 years of pastoring churches in multiple states, he returned to Arkansas to start Grace Gospel Church in the 90’s. Mel and I connected through our common vision to see pastors

James and Mandi Barham had given their lives to taking the gospel to Istanbul, Turkey. For years, they poured themselves into church planting overseas. They thought they’d be there forever. But something wasn’t right. To their supporters and co-workers, they were fulfilling God’s call to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Inside their marriage, a different story was unfolding. “We grew distant, had challenges—miscommunications and misunderstandings. Nothing major happe

The doctor looked at me and said, “I have to admit I was surprised by what I found.” When I heard those words, I was taken aback. A month earlier, I’d attended my routine cardiology appointment. It seemed routine, including the echocardiogram they recommended after five years since my last one. “We’ll call if there are any concerns,” the nurse said. Two weeks later, while on vacation with my daughters and their families, I got a call. The doctor had seen something unclear an