Category Archives: June 2025

He is my nephew, the son of Ellen’s sister and brother-in-law. They are North Carolina “Tar Heels” to the core. Living for the best part of their lives in Asheville, they now live close to where it all began for these descendants of Marvin and Carrie Beshears—in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, at the foot ofContinue reading “Jason’s Story”

It is agonizing to read the first chapter of the book of Lamentations—Jeremiah’s pensive pleas—in light of the destruction of the city of God, Jerusalem, aka the city of David. The prophet mourns the plight of his people and cries his eyes out, confessing Judah’s sins and affirming God’s righteousness. The most heart-rending outburst inContinue reading ““Is It Nothing to You?””

Tomorrow will be a day of fireworks and festivities—a day when our nation once again celebrates freedom, faith, and the fearless sacrifices that have been made—and are still being made—to ensure that, just as we have for the past 249 years, we may continue in the years ahead to “proclaim liberty throughout all the landContinue reading “God Bless America”

In a few days, as a nation, we will commemorate and celebrate the founding of our free republic on Independence Day, 2025. It is a day of fireworks, cookouts, picnics, parades, and patriotic programs—all designed to help us pause with pride that, even now, we remain the land of the free and the home ofContinue reading “Our 249th Birthday”

Paul spoke of the “last days” in his 2nd epistle to Timothy, characterizing them as “perilous times.” (2 Tim.3:1) John also referenced what he called “the last time,” noting that when he wrote I John 2:18 it was already the last time, a time when many antichrists were already on the scene, proof in theContinue reading “In The Last Days”

Manse, noun: “the house occupied or formerly occupied by a minister,” from Medieval Latin mansus, “dwelling.” Ellen and I and our family have lived in a beautiful manse for more than 45 years, next door to the church I served as senior pastor for 40 years. I now enjoy the privileges of “pastor emeritus.” OurContinue reading “Living in a Manse”

Suppose you and a long-time friend come to an impasse over an issue on which you cannot come to an agreement. Or, you and a fellow believer with whom you have worshipped and served the Lord for years have what seems to be an irreconcilable conflict. Or, maybe you and a family member have hadContinue reading “Christians In Conflict”

Most of us have had a time in our walk with God where—at the least—it seemed as though we were wandering in a wilderness. We might have been at times overwhelmed with our surroundings: unfamiliar, lonely, abandoned, fearful of the unknown. God’s promises were in our hearts and on our lips, but His presence mightContinue reading “Worship in the Wilderness”

My last post included a poetic tribute I penned to my godly father on the occasion of his 75th birthday. In this blog, I want to share with you a powerful tribute written by a young Bible college student when he was serving on our church staff as a summer intern in 2018.  Michael was aContinue reading “Another Word to Fathers and Families”

This coming Lord’s Day has been set aside in honor of our fathers, those who have already passed from us and those who are living still. The worth of a good father, a godly father, cannot be overstated. Our nation suffers deeply today, largely because of a breakdown in the family. The absence of fathersContinue reading “A Tip of the Hat to Our Fathers”