On Sunday, April 28, I was invited to speak at Grace Assembly of God in Catawba, VA.  At the opening of the service, the worship leader was leading the congregation in a couple of selections, and he introduced the second song by saying, "You know one of our challenges is that we struggle for lack." He was encouraging those in the congregation to simply take their lack and lay it at the cross.  He told us to take our lack and to lay it at the feet of Jesus.

I was seated on a pew at the front of the sanctuary.  As he spoke those words, I was unctioned in my spirit to prostrate myself on the floor before the altar.  When I got up out of my seat, I knelt on the floor and stretched out faced down with my head to turned to the side and the right side of my face resting on the carpeted floor of the sanctuary.  With my eyes closed, I began to pray. I began to lay my lack there at the cross.

A lack of love, a lack of faith, a lack of health, a lack of finances, a lack in relationships, whatever the lack was in my life. As I began to pray, that prayer transitioned into interceding on behalf of others. I started praying for my pastor CJ Martin and for his wife Fernanda. I was also led to pray for Mike Price and his wife Stephanie. I felt on my spirit to pray for Marvin Wade and also for my wife who wasn't able to join us at service on that morning.

As I laid there and prayed, my body began to tremble.  It was a very special moment.  As I was lying there praying for my own circumstances, I began to hear voices around me.  No, I was not hearing things.  These voices were very soft and unfamiliar to me.  I was hearing them in my natural ear.  I began to feel the presence of other people around me.  These people had come to pray over me and be present with me as I was in this prayerful state.

I felt a couple of hands on my shoulders, and it was comforting. When I finished praying at the altar, I opened my eyes and began to stand back up. As I looked around me, those voices that I was hearing were the voices of small children. There were around ten children, I would guess between the ages of six to sixteen that had gotten up out of their seats and came to the altar to be present with me in this moment.

It was one of the most beautiful ministry experiences I think I've ever had.  These innocent children were not concerned about what anyone else was thinking.  They were not really concerned about what I was thinking or praying. They simply chosen to be present, sitting with me while I was in prayer.

I wonder how many of the adults in the congregation might have been unctioned in their spirits to do the same thing either to come pray with me or to prostrate themselves before God at the altar.  I wonder how many people were led to do the same thing and chose not to because it's not comfortable to put yourself in a vulnerable position like that.  But it really touched my spirit to have those children make the decision to follow the Spirit that led them to come be present with me in that powerful moment of prayer.

In Mark chapter 10 verse 13-16:

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

This was a very special moment in the work of ministry to which we are called.  The more uncomfortable we are with a situation that God has called us, the more likely it is that God calling us to do it.

It's just kind of one of those memories that I think last with me forever, having those small children come up and pray with me in that moment.

I gave a bit of detail as I chronicled the travels of this past weekend. As I was driving north the length of the state of Alabama, I reflected as to the catalyst for how all this came together. It was absolutely a BUT, GOD experience that started because of a box of Christmas decorations.

On December 5, 2023 a man invited me to breakfast. One of his first questions was, “What is going to be under the tree for Terri Lee this Christmas?” I looked away from him as I replied, “I guess the same as has been the past few years. Nothing.” He then told me he wanted to make sure I did something for her. It is most humbling and overwhelming to be in this situation. Terri Lee and I talked of it later. We decided that we would like to take our grandchildren to an ice show in Roanoke in February. This man purchased the tickets for us, our children, and grandchildren. I then purchased a coffee mug that was under the tree for Terri Lee.

On Christmas Eve, I was sitting in the recliner in our living room scrolling through Facebook Marketplace. I saw a box of Christmas decorations for sale (about 32 in total) that were being offered for $65. I showed it to Terri Lee and her face lit up. She liked them. We really didn’t have the money, but I contacted the woman selling them and made arrangements to buy them. I explained we didn’t need them immediately. We would arrange to get them and put them away for next year.

On Saturday, December 30th, we met the couple in Bedford at the Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. The woman exited the truck and began speaking with Terri Lee. Her husband approached me to talk. He quickly noticed the logo on my shirt and asked me to what that referred. After a brief sharing of the story, I offered a book and DVD to him and his wife.

The next day, I receive a message from the husband who shared that they had watched the movie and were deeply affected by the messages of the movie. They wanted to share the story with others.

About two weeks ago, I received a message from his wife. She shared that she was watching the movie again - this time with her mother. She then told me some reasons the movie was particularly impactful and the difficulties her brother faced with addiction, etc. I told her I didn’t mean to inject myself into their family’s business, but we are involved with Hope Center Ministries. I told her I’d be willing to speak with her brother if he had any interest in hearing about the Hope Center. She told me he was living in Florida. I replied that we have been known to assist people with their application, admission fee, and transportation to the Hope Center.

On Monday (01/28) about 8:00 pm, her brother called my phone. I missed the call. He left a VM telling me who he was and wanted to know more about the Hope Center. He said he would call me back around 8:00 am on Tuesday morning. He was calling from a community phone on an inpatient mental health unit at a community hospital in Florida.

Beginning at 8:00 am I was closely monitoring my phone anticipating a phone call. One never came. About mid-afternoon Tuesday, the phone rang with the same number I had missed the previous evening. I answered it anticipating it was the brother of the wife from whom we had purchased the ornaments. Nope! It was a man named Josh. He said, “A patient here was telling me about the Hope Center and said you help people with that.” He proceeded to ask me questions and requested information. He said he would call me back. On Wednesday, I received a call from the same number. This time it was Troy. He wanted to know about the Hope Center. Josh had told him of it. On Thursday, both men telephoned me separately and asked for me to help them with their applications. I notified Patty Johnson that I had completed the online application for each man and to let me know if they would be candidates (based on the application).

Around 8:00 pm Friday night, Troy called me back and said “I would like to go to the Hope Center.” I contacted Patty (who had spoken with Troy) to confirm he was a candidate. She told me there was a bed available at a Hope Center in Wheeling, WV. I called Troy back and told him he could go to this center. We would work to make transportation arrangements and the fee to get in if he was serious about going. He was informed that this was a one-way ticket. Meaning if he quit the program before completion, we wouldn’t be able to get him back to Florida. He understood and doubled-down on his commitment to go. He anticipated being released from the hospital on Sunday (or early in that week). I began researching plane, bus, and train tickets for Troy. As I researched, everything proved to be complicated and challenging. I had no peace over any of the options. I went to bed.

I awoke around 4:00 am on Saturday. I was immediately wrestling in my mind about the transportation options for Troy. I reflected on the options, the costs, the challenges, etc. I continued to lack peace over any of these options. I fell back asleep. When I got up at 7:00 am, this is what I was hearing on my spirit: “You went to Mississippi to pick up a young runaway who was living on the streets. You made several trips to NW Pennsylvania to help another man who was wanting to come out of addiction. Why are you hesitating to go to Fort Walton Beach, FL for this man?”

In an instant, a peace came over me. I knew this was for me to do. I instantly believed this was a journey that was not just about Troy. I told Terri Lee about the assignment. She immediately began praying it. We didn’t have the money to pay to get Troy into the Hope Center. And we really didn’t have the money for the trip to get there, back to Wheeling, and home. She prayed about that. I reached out to a couple of guys to see if anyone wanted to take the trip with me. Of the half dozen men I reached out to, no one was available. I then proceeded to clean out my car for the trip. I had four Hope Packs on the back seat that are to be delivered for use at the Mt Airy Hope Center. As I gathered to take these inside, I decided to leave one in the car to give to Troy. I took the other three in and placed them on the dining room table. As I turned to walk out of the house, I was moved to grab one more Hope Pack to take with me. At 9:20 am, I left for Florida.

Before I exited Virginia, two separate people sent a total of $600 to help with travel expenses. As I cross into North Carolina, my telephone rang. It was Josh. He had been released from the hospital the day before. He too was making the decision to enter the Hope Center. I reached out to Patty who consulted with him by telephone. He too was a candidate for admission.

As I traveled south, I realized I would pass within a few minutes of where Caitlin and Kyle lived. We arranged to meet up for a few moments. It was an answered prayer as I had a desire to see Caitlin before we traveled for the wedding. Caitlin and I had conceded it just wasn’t going to work out. But here, through this, God made a way.

I arrived at a hotel in Fort Walton Beach, FL about 10:00 pm central time. I was hoping to be on the road to West Virginia by 9:00 am Sunday morning.  As I prepared to get in bed, I was led in my spirit to look for a church with an early morning service.  I thought this was a bit odd as I hoped to be on the road before any service would even start.  I started to look on the internet and social media for an opportunity.  After searching for a little bit, I found a Facebook page for Calvary Baptist Church.  It was just a few minutes from the hotel and a few minutes from the hospital where I expected to meet these two men on Sunday.  Calvary Baptist Church had a Sunday School class that would start at 9:15 am.  The church service would begin at 10:30 am.  I reasoned that I could likely attend the Sunday School class at 9:15 am and then get on my way to Wheeling, WV.

Early on Sunday morning, I communicated with Josh.  He had been discharged from the hospital on Friday.  He had been staying with his aunt about 45 minutes from the hospital since his discharge.  He had a medical situation to resolve as he was making plans to meet me at the hospital.  I got myself together and headed to the church for the Sunday School class.

As I arrived at the church, I was introduced to a man named Johnny.  He was the Sunday School teacher.  He took notice of the ministry logo stitched over the left pocket on my button-down shirt.  He asked me about it.  I explained what brought me to the panhandle of Florida the day before and the journey that lay ahead.  Before the class started, Josh called.  He informed me that his outstanding issue was resolved, and he was ready to take this next step.  He informed me that he was at the hospital with his aunt.  I asked him if he would rather wait there with her or would he like for me to come there and bring him back to the church.  He chose the latter.  I made the short drive to the hospital to meet Josh for the first time and his aunt.  We transferred his belongings to my car.  I then offered to pray over Josh and his aunt.  Josh and I climbed into the small 2005 Chevy Cobalt and headed back to the church.

The Sunday School meeting had begun by the time we arrived back.  They had recorded prayer requests and one of the men was speaking a prayer over those requests.  We waited with another man in the vestibule outside of the sanctuary which also served as a classroom for this particular class.  At the conclusion of the prayer, we entered the sanctuary and took our seats.  We listened attentively as Johnny spoke of the characteristics of God and how we are called to imitate Christ through our lives.  When the class ended, we exited to the adjacent lounge area.  During this time, I was notified that Troy had been informed by his physician that he would be discharged.  The order had been written.  However, it often takes time to complete the process.  I came to the understanding that we would have time to attend the Sunday morning service at this church.
As it neared time for the service to start, Josh and I found seats.  Just before the service began, I received a phone call from a social worker at the hospital.  I exited the sanctuary to answer the telephone.  She asked me some general questions about the plan for Troy so she could document it in his file.  She informed me he would be ready to leave around 1:00 pm Sunday afternoon.

I returned to the sanctuary.  Johnny stopped me on my way to my seat and instructed me to see him before leaving for the day.  Josh and I praised God through the worship portion of the service.  We then heard a sermon and received a message by way of the Holy Spirit.  As the service neared its conclusion, I went and kneeled at the altar to praise God and pray.

At the conclusion of the service, I approached Johnny.  I showed him a book that Josh wanted and he offered the $20 to cover the labeled cost for it.  He then reached his hand out and placed two one-hundred dollar bills in my hand to help cover the costs of the travel that was ahead of us.

Josh and I departed the church and returned to the hospital to await Troy’s discharge.  We parked the car and headed into the hospital’s main lobby where we waited.  Shortly after 1:00 pm, Troy was escorted to the lobby by one of the hospital’s caregivers.  We greeted one another for the first time.  Josh and Troy reintroduced themselves.  We then returned to the car and began to make our way towards Wheeling, WV.  The route of travel GPS recommended was north through the state of Alabama, then bisecting Tennessee, cutting the NW corner of Kentucky, and then west to east across from Ohio.

As we began this part of the journey, we experienced torrential rainfall.  The traffic on the interstate was heavy.  Our progress was slow.  The conversation was rich.  Josh and Troy shared many of their life experiences.  They wondered what the Hope Center would be like.  We each spoke of the faith we shared in Jesus Christ.  During the drive, we received the complete admission fee for one of the men even before we left the state of Alabama.  We made it as far as Nashville, TN and that’s where we stayed for the night.  The original thought was that we would have left earlier in the day and made the trip all the way to Wheeling, WV on Sunday.

Terri Lee secured reservations for each of us at a hotel in Nashville, TN near the airport.  Each of us were assigned a separate room.  Josh and Troy offered to stay together.  But we decided this approach to be best.  We met in the hotel lobby on Monday morning for breakfast and department around 8:00 am CST.  As we traveled away from Nashville, the director of My Brothers’ Crossing (who now resides outside of Nashville) sent a monetary gift which covered the cost of the hotel rooms.  As we drove through Kentucky, we telephoned Terri Lee.  She spoke words of encouragement to the men.  Torrey, who is completing his Hope Center Vocational Training (VT) through My Brothers’ Crossing, was with Terri Lee at the moment.  I asked Torrey to share a resident’s perspective with Josh and Troy.  Torrey ministered to these two men in a way that I cannot.  He shared encouragement for success in the program.  He answered questions they had about the Hope Center.  Torrey ended the call by praying over these two men.  Torrey’s ministry over these two men served to calm concerns that they were still harboring.  This is exactly why Torrey is completing his VT phase with this ministry.  This is exactly what God is equipping him to do.

We arrived at the Hope Center outside of Wheeling, WV around 5:30 pm on Monday evening.  By the time we arrived, we had received financial support for gas, food, lodging, and the admission fee for both men.  I prayed over them.  I then climbed back into my vehicle to complete the six hour drive back to Boones Mill.  I safely arrived back home at approximately 12:10 am on Tuesday morning.  I had traveled 2,100 miles through ten states over the course of 60+ hours.  God used this experience to deliver two men onto a path toward new life.

As of February 14, the report from the Wheeling, WV Hope Center was that these two men were continuing to do well in their new home with the Hope Center.  Terri Lee and I will be participating virtually with the Family Support Group Meeting on Friday nights when we are available.  We are hoping to be invited to return there to minister to these residents.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

As our bible study teacher at House of Purpose recently taught, sometimes we need to experience some solitude – some me time. Think of it as an opportunity to separate ourselves from all things and connect and commune with the Father.  Solitude can be a very good and healthy thing for us spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Jesus Christ routinely sought periods of solitude.  In Luke 5:16 (NIV), we read, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Sometimes His decision to experience a period of solitude was following miracles that He performed.  Sometimes He would do so to escape the crowds that flocked to Him.  And we know before He was betrayed, He spent time alone at Gethsemane.


But, we must guard against allowing our periods of solitude from taking root as isolation.  When we allow ourselves to become isolated from the Body of Christ, the enemy can begin to attack us in our thoughts. So much of what we experience in our faith journey occurs in how we think.  In 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV), Paul writes, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”


When we allow ourselves to pull back from the Body of Christ and experience periods of isolation, we are vulnerable to attacks from the enemy.  We may begin to question our faith.  We may wonder why the pastor doesn’t talk to me.  We may think that we just don’t fit into the church family anymore.  I had a pastor tell me once about his faith journey prior to becoming a pastor.  He said he was raised in the church.  He said he faithfully attended.  Then he skipped church one Sunday and it lasted for two years.


Being connected to the vine that is Jesus Christ and to a church family is vital to our spiritual walk.  Solitude can become isolation.  And isolation can become depression.  The enemy loves nothing more than to see a person being pressed down.  It can be a very dangerous situation for the person experiencing it.


Now the Body of Christ that is grounded, connected and thriving, has a role when it comes to those who have become isolated.  The Holy Spirit will convict those within whom He dwells.  He will bring to your awareness of an individual who needs encouragement.  It is easy to disregard the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Often times the leading isn’t comfortable for us or may not make sense in the natural realm.  The Holy Spirit will lay someone on your spirit.  When we experience this, we should reach out to the person and speak words of life, love, and encouragement to them.  A phone call or visit may be just what was needed to stir the person out of their isolation.  This is not the responsibility of only the pastor.  It is for each of us.


Just last week I was experiencing a period of despair.  It came out of the blue and punched me in the gut.  My wife immediately went to praying over me.  Later that same day, an individual who I had previously ministered reached out to me as he was in need of encouragement.  In a moment, I was stirred away from my despair and in a direction of supporting him.


If you attend church regularly and you notice someone who routinely attends has missed a couple of weeks, take it upon yourself to reach out to the person.  Check-in with them and see how they are doing. If you know someone has been under the weather and required medical treatment, check-in with their family to see if they have any unmet needs that you might be able to meet.  When we do these things we may just help someone from falling into a season of isolation.  It might serve to encourage you in your faith walk.  It will certainly bring glory to God as you become the hands and feet of Jesus.


Pray in all situations so that you will know precisely the words to use in encouraging another.  You just might make the difference in someone’s life.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

Part of what we do through our ministry, My Brothers’ Crossing, is a jail and prison ministry.  We connect with people who are incarcerated at the local, regional or state level.  For the next two columns I submit, I’ll share a writing that I received from one of these men.  His name is Randy.  This week, I’m sharing the first four of the blessings that he currently counts in his life.  In two weeks, I’ll complete the column with the last six blessings.


There are certainly consequences for our actions.  The people to whom my wife and I minister through this outreach do not deny this truth. They acknowledge the behaviors and choices they have made that have resulted in their incarceration.  Personally, I use to hold a dim and harsh view toward those who have found themselves on the wrong side of the law.  But through repentance and forgiveness, we can be restored.  We want to be evidence of God’s love and hope that we’ve been shown.


Christmas, or any holiday for that matter, is a difficult time for those who are incarcerated.  The usual isolation one experiences in prison is magnified may times during the holidays.  Some inmates miss friends and family.  Even a visit from a loved one does little to allay this problem, because the visitation is brief, and then the inmate must return to the desolation of his cell for the duration of the holiday.


Some inmates find the holidays difficult, because the holiday season reminds them of traumatic experiences with loved ones; whether from the loss of loved ones or from the remembrances of events best forgotten.  Many inmates are sullen, moody, and very difficult at this time of year.  Since I am incarcerated, I can relate to this difficulty.  For my first five years of incarceration, all I wanted was for the holiday to end as soon as possible.


In prison, we have no Christmas decorations, no friends or family, and most definitely no good Christmas meal.  After many years of incarceration, I now focus more on the things that I have always loved about the holiday season.  I especially focus on the things about which I can count as blessings, even in prison.  Where once there were the Twelve Days of Christmas, now there are my Ten Simple Blessings Behind Bars.


God is my first blessing.  He is always with me and undoubtedly responsible for my altered perspective on holidays behind bars.  God helps me not to dwell on what is lost.  He helps me focus on being as positive of an influence as possible here in prison; doing for others is a way to give to others.  This giving is not limited to the holidays.  Giving of yourself and your time can and should continue throughout the year.  Helping others helps you stay positive in all aspects of life.


Friendship is my second blessing.  Even after two decades in prison, I still have two old friends who have not forgotten me.  Sue and Bill are very special people and I am sure that I do not appreciate their friendship and loyalty as much as I should.  Additionally, I have several friends here in prison.  Generally speaking, they are not your typical inmates.  Most are older, well-educated, and quiet, thoughtful people who lost control of their lives for a brief time. They must not spend the rest of their days behind bars.


My third blessing is J.T., with whom I became acquainted over two years ago.  His friendship and encouragement is invaluable.  I always feel invigorated after speaking to him on the phone.  He encourages both my artwork and my writing.  If everyone in the world were as supportive and kind as he, then the world would be a much better, kinder, and less stressful place.  People would smile more, engage each other more, and be happier.


Believe it or not, cancer is my fourth blessing.  It has brought me much closer to God.  Cancer is not necessarily the curse that most people believe it to be.  For me, truly, it is a gift from God.  I consider myself lucky to have been blessed with it.

My fifth blessing is artwork, which has been a major factor in my ability to survive cancer in the last decade.  I have always loved art and started doing it at a young age, but I never forgot to continue this love over the years.  In prison, I have been able to reconnect with my creativity, and it has been wonderful.  For me, art functions much like meditation.  When creating a picture, I cease to be in prison.  I am within my landscape or whatever the picture of the day may be.  Plus, making and creating pictures gives me a tangible purpose, something to hold, touch and know that I created. It provides a feeling of accomplishment and purpose.  The fact that others seem to enjoy it is just icing on the cake.


I am probably lucky not to experience too many episodes of senility at my age, so my sixth blessing in my memory, which is still excellent. I vividly remember holidays with family and friends, and I draw upon these happy memories to make my life more tolerable at this time of year.  I am fortunate to have so many pleasant memories.


Music is my seventh blessing.  Holiday music conjures up memories of happier times.  When I hear certain holiday songs, I can almost smell the wonderful aromas that came from my mother’s kitchen as she baked and prepared for the holidays. Both music and aromas filled the house.


My eighth blessing is my reduced ability to hear.  Yes, I can still hear, but many times I have found that my ability to distinguish conversational words clearly has wanted.  This is a blessing, because in prison, the conversations around you are impossible to avoid and usually not worth hearing.  Now that my hearing acuity is failing, I simply do not have to hear these conversations.  If I ever get the hearing aid that an E.N.T. specialist advised was needed, then I shall have to remember to wear it selectively.


My ninth blessing is my undiminished, sometimes slightly sick sense of humor.  It helps me survive in prison.  Others may wonder why I am smiling.  It is usually easier to say that I thought of something very humorous rather than ne totally honest.  Many people in prison have no sense of humor.  I do not mind when told that I am always smiling.  There is no much in the world that is humorous.  Why not enjoy it?


Finally, my tenth blessing is my ability, over the years, to remain true to myself.  Yes, I am institutionalized.  I try to maintain a schedule. It is rigid, and it rarely varies.  Still, I am who I once was, plus twenty years.  Everyone in prison gets tattoos, but I have none, except for the tiny dots given to me at VCU for cancer radiation treatments.  I wear my hair in the same style that I always have.  I even cut my own hair in order to be assured that this doesn’t change.  I have none of the usual prison interests: gangs, football, basketball, cards, or gambling.  I do not seek out drugs or some other means of getting high, and I do not sleep all day and night.  I am blessed that prison has changed me so little.


My identity is intact, and I thank God for this fact.  Ten simple blessings have enabled me to remain myself.  If you have friends, family, and your freedom, then you are blessed.


I think there is much for each of us to consider in Randy’s message. God’s word reminds us to be thankful in all situations.  While most of those reading this column have likely never been incarcerated, how many of us have been imprisoned spiritually?  As we prepare to start a new year, a new decade – it is past time to take countenance of all the ways that Jehovah Jireh provides for our every need.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

We are routinely reminded as we start a new year, it is a time of new beginnings.  We have just experienced another holiday season – a time of thanksgiving, recognition of the birth of Jesus, and a fresh start with a new year.  For many it has been a time of celebration and an opportunity to serve others.  I want to encourage each person to harness the energy, spirit, and sense of good will that you have just experienced to impact lives in the year ahead.
Many of the people who were beneficiaries of the generosities shared this holiday season find themselves in the same state of need as the new year begins.

In Matthew 25:36, we, as Christians, are reminded to feed the hungry; give the thirsty something to drink; befriend a stranger and invite him in; clothe someone; look after the sick; and visit those imprisoned.  Other scripture states: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27 (KJV)

We are to continuously be looking after our fellow man.  For we are told, what we have done to the least of these, we have done unto our King.
You may be among the many Christians that engage in such behaviors on a routine basis. Thank you.  I want to encourage you to continue in your service of others.  Such service is needed.

You may be reading this and thinking, I just don’t have the time. Or, I don’t even know how to get started down such a path.  Maybe you are thinking, I have reached out before to help and no one showed a shred of appreciation for my efforts.  You may reflect upon your past efforts and feel as though you were taken advantage.

I have thought about my actions and wondered about the impact.  I have been reminded on multiple occasions, “When you are walking in obedience to God’s will, don’t worry about the outcome.”  I am reminded to walk in faith, act in obedience, and the outcome will take care of itself – even if the result isn’t what I think it should be.

Sometimes the recipient of the gesture doesn’t appreciate what is being offered. Maybe in those situations, someone else is quietly observing the action and is moved to do something for someone else.

We should endeavor to give the best of ourselves in all situations. And we can start with people that are identified in the scriptures included above.  And, as we extend of ourselves in such circumstances; when God witnesses evidence of our desire to serve others – of our obedience to His will, additional opportunities to bless others will unfold in front of us.  I have experienced this firsthand.  I have experienced it in ways and at levels I could have never imagined.  Obedience is better than sacrifice.  Obedience brings blessings.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

My pastor, C.J. Martin of House of Purpose Ministries, will quickly tell you that he is a Psalm 150 preacher.  He believes in praising his Lord and Savior.  In fact, the very first words I ever heard him speak were a part of a praise.  He cried out, “Oh my Jesus!”  It was a poignant moment for everyone who heard it.

If you’re not familiar with Psalm 150 it is only six verses long.  Each having to do with a form of praise.

1Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.  2Praise him for his mighty acts; praise him according to his excellent greatness.  3Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.  4Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.  5Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.  Psalm 150: 1 – 6 (KJV)

In a nutshell, as Christians, we are to praise our Lord in ALL things and in ALL ways. The three-letter word, ALL, reads mighty large.  You see, we are not supposed to pick and choose when we praise our Lord.  Nor, are we supposed to be selective in how we praise our Lord.

Psalm 100:1 (KJV) reads, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.”  I remember a time in my faith walk where my joyful noise was much closer to lip synching than it was singing.  I was encouraged to not worry about what my singing sounded like to me or others, for that matter.  It was Jesus to whom I was singing.  And He hears with a spiritual ear.  That doesn’t mean that I am now a member of our church choir.

We are certainly in this season of celebrating the birth of Jesus.  Even though we all are in this season of celebration, not each of us is in the same celebratory mood.  Some are on a mountaintop, some are in the deepest valley, and the rest are somewhere in between.  I have found for me personally that when I am in my deepest valley, that is when it is easiest for me to call on the name of my Lord.  I am reminded of my need for Him in such situations.  When I am on my mountaintop or somewhere in between, it can be easy for me to forget just who my provider is.

Be reminded, each day, regardless of the circumstances, to praise God; to thank Jesus for all that He has done for you on that day.  It can be through a song of worship; a shout out of “Thank you, Jesus;” or through a quiet prayer of reflection.

May each of you and your families have a Merry Christmas in celebrating the birth of our Savior.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

My wife and I continue to be invited to speak, preach, and share testimonies at churches and other venues, nearly every week.  It has been a humbling experience.  Lately, the messages have featured my battles with depression and suicidal ideation; and my wife’s steadfast love in walking this journey with me.

For thirty years (1979 – 2009), I was in a fight for my life.  Terri Lee endured the first 22 years of our marriage (1987 – 2009) during this time.  My depression and thoughts and acts of suicide were rooted in internal hatred, shame, and disgust about the reflection I saw of myself.  I struggled nearly every single day with the fight to simply make it to the next day.  I put up a façade to hide all that was going on in my heart, body, mind, and spirit.
In 2009, while enrolled in an outpatient Christian counseling program, I finally had a breakthrough.  After 30 years, I finally realized and accepted that I had to move in forgiveness toward the man that had molested me as a child.  The exercise of moving in forgiveness was so powerful.  I recall awaking on a morning in February 2009 and I no longer wanted to be dead.  For the first time in 30 years, (and practically my entire life), I wanted to live.  That’s what forgiveness did for me.

For the next six years, I lived a life that continued to be isolating.  I had experienced my breakthrough; but, I was not ready to embrace others. I did the best that I could do; but, truthfully, I just wanted to be left alone.  I kept most everyone at arm’s length.  During these six years, I had to move more deeply in acts of forgiveness.  When my brother and his wife were accidentally killed in August 2015, I was called to move in forgiveness once again.  In this most recent situation, I experienced a second, more-profound breakthrough.  It was at a level that I could finally understand the forgiveness that God made available to me through the life, death, and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ.

I share all of this to say this.  We live in a world that knows evil, hatred, racism, anger, and depression.  We have witnessed acts that are the manifestation of these and other conditions.  If you are suffering through something, HANG ON!  Seek God.  Find a way, find a person that can help you get to the next day.  I promise you that there are people that care.  God loves you.  God knows your heart.

If you do not suffer from these afflictions, because you have fought through it or maybe your life’s trials have been rooted in other circumstances, let someone know you care.  Let them know you love them. Pray specifically for them.  Seek an opportunity to be Jesus in the life of someone who is hurting.  Be the light that each of us are called to be.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

An aspect of our ministry, My Brothers’ Crossing, is an outreach to those that find themselves incarcerated.  I would estimate that we are ministering to more than two dozen men who are behind bars at local and regional jails and state correctional centers.  I promise you that this is not a place that I ever saw myself as recent as three years ago.  And, it has come with some unintended consequences.  I want to share a story with you with permission of the woman recently who wrote to me.

My wife, Terri Lee, and I were ministering to a man who was incarcerated at the New River Valley Regional Jail in Dublin, VA.  It started with a telephone conversation and exchanging written letters.  I was approved for a pastoral visit to see him.  While he was incarcerated, he expressed compassion and concern for his aunt and her family.  He asked if my wife and I would reach out to her to offer prayer and support.  We did.

This woman lives in the New River Valley.  To this day, my wife and I have never met her in-person.  She had shared with us that she has a son who suffers from effects of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  Her son is 18-years-old and was a handful when he experience an outburst that is common to some who are affected by ASD.  This woman expressed grave concerns for her safety because of her son’s size and strength.  She also expressed a mother’s love – a love for her son that was clear in words and action.  She expressed that she was at her breaking point and did not know what else to do.

Of course, we prayed with her and for her and her son.  We offered encouraging words and bible verses upon which to read and meditate.  I then reached out to a colleague in this part of our region.  I explained the situation to him and asked for a resource with whom I could possibly connect this woman and her son.  After a series of telephone calls, I provided some information to this woman and suggested that she reach out to them.  

Recently, I received this communication from this woman.  She was writing to share her experience and to encourage my wife and I to continue pressing on in our ministry work.

“I wanted to take a minute this morning to say thank you.  Since first talking with you and your wife, I felt as though there was someone praying for this family.  Prayers are being answered in ways that can for the first time be seen.  My son is doing so well.  I cannot begin to tell you how good it is to feel him giving me a hug and to hear him say he loves me.  It is so good to see a real happiness in his eyes.  His doctor, who you helped connect us to, has finally found a medication that works for him.  He can have a life without being ‘drugged out of his head.’  We are sleeping at night.  I can sit down and have some calm and peace.  Many in the world see my son as a kid with autism that can never do anything.  To me, he is a wonder and an amazement every day.  He is intelligent, funny, loving, and empathetic toward others.  God used you and your ministry to lead us to this doctor that has helped my son and our family.  It’s been a long, hard, dark road.  But today, I can look up with hope and faith that it’s all okay.  The storm is almost over.  The sun is shining, J.T., the darkness is moving away.  God has brought us through.  I praise Him. And I thank you for your prayers and actions.”

My wife and I did not set out to minister to this woman.  It was an unintended consequence of an outreach toward a man who is imprisoned.  To God, there are no unintended consequences.  When we walk in love toward His people, He is there.  As for my wife and me and our ministry, we will continue reaching out to Love God…Love People!

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

One of my pastors, Mike Price, the pastor at T.R.A.S.H. Ministry in Collinsville, VA has an expression that he uses to encourage others.  He will say, “I am either up or I am getting up.”  What he is expressing through that simple statement is that He is pressing onward to a higher calling.  He confesses that he is not perfect.  He acknowledges that he struggles just like everyone else.  On occasion, he will slip down or take a spiritual sucker punch and get knocked down.  The key, as he reminds us, is not to stay down in our condition.

I have the privilege to minister to a small group of men one morning a week.  Many of these men are new to their Christian faith.  While others were raised in the church.  During one of our recent morning’s together, we engaged in a discussion about what it means to grow in your faith.  We talked about the evidence that will appear from a maturing of your faith.

Some evidence is external.  Others will notice that you are bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit as Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians.  Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) reveals these fruits as love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Other New Testament scripture reads, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 (NKJV)

Some evidence is internal.  You may discover a desire to learn more about your faith.  Maybe you will have a yearning to go to God’s house.  Maybe you will want to be there for Bible study on Wednesday night, Sunday School on Sunday morning and Sunday service.  Maybe you will desire to connect with a small group study outside of church.

Still more evidence can be found if you reflect on your behavior and you discover that you respond to adversity differently than you used to respond.  Maybe in your past, if someone directed an angry comment toward you, your response would have been to meet this with an even greater tone and intensity.  Now, you realize that you exhibit greater self-control in such situations.

There is evidence that you are maturing in your faith if you discover that you are not slipping down as frequently.  And when you do get knocked down or you slip down, you don’t allow yourself to stay down.  You bounce back more quickly than you used to.

Just like a master craftsman, developing your faith does not happen without sacrifice.  It does not occur without putting in time to study God’s Word.  It requires an investment in His teachings.  It requires humility and a desire to be more Christlike.

Some Christians fall into the trap of thinking, “Well, God’s grace is sufficient.  It will cover me and my sin.”  That’s only a partial truth.  God’s grace is sufficient.  But, God does not want you to remain in the same sin condition where you were found.  When we slip up or backslide, it is God’s saving grace that redeems and restores us.  He does not want you to remain there.  He wants each one of us up; or getting up.

Some Christians, especially people new to their faith, often want to see how close they can live to their sin and still be covered by God’s grace.  Truthfully, He desires that we grow in our relationship with Him.  He desires that we walk in the righteousness of Christ.  He wants us to become Christlike in the way we live.  While our faith may never be perfected on this side of Glory, He wants us to press evermore into our relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It is a privilege to witness the spiritual growth these men are experiencing.  Take stock in the growth you have experienced to this point.  Do not rest on that growth.  Dig in and press on.  Take another step toward the righteousness of Christ.  As you do this, His light will shine even brighter through you that will impact someone else’s eternal life.  And, after all, isn’t that what this journey is all about.  Become disciples. And building His Kingdom!

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

This week, my wife and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary.  I also celebrated the one-year anniversary of having been ordained as a minister at House of Purpose Ministries in Bassett, VA.  This has resulted in the authority and responsibility to minister wedding ceremonies.  I have had the privilege and honor to conduct three such weddings, thus far.  As my wife and I have met with each couple leading up to their big day, we ask about their relationship with Jesus Christ.  In the Christian faith, a wedding and being married is grounded in biblical principles.  We talk about what the bible reveals in terms of what it means to be married.  What we talk about isn’t just something that we have read about.  It is about something we have lived and experienced.

    On a day like your wedding anniversary, it is easy to reflect on the experiences that my wife and I have enjoyed that were pleasurable.  We delight in those moments where we each found the other loveable.  The truth of the matter, a successful marriage is rooted in our ability to put the other ahead of our own needs.  From a worldly or flesh-centered viewpoint, this is a contradiction.  My flesh is selfish.  I want what I want when I want it.  When we were united in marriage in the Christian faith, the bible tells that we became one flesh.  In Mark 10:7-8 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh; so then that are no longer two, but one flesh.” (NKJV) This should result in us loving our spouse as ourselves.  We are one.

    For much of the early years of our marriage, my wife and I were unequally yoked.  My wife desired a relationship with her Lord and Savior.  It simply was not a priority for me.  My wife raised our children in the church.  I was too broken and ashamed of who I was on the inside to dare take myself around all the “perfect people” at the church.  As a result, my wife endured hardship in our marriage.  Frankly, I struggled with depression and thoughts of suicide.  I did not want to live.  I would make overtures to my wife that I wanted her to leave me.  She resisted.  In fact, in those lowest times of our marriage, she clung to her faith and loved me even deeper.  She would tell me that the vows she took on our wedding day were not merely words that she spoke to me; but, rather it was also a commitment she made before God.

    My wife prayed over me.  And, she prayed for me.  At times in my life that I did not even know it, she was my personal prayer warrior interceding on my behalf with God.  Finally, in February 2009, I experienced a breakthrough.  I was delivered from my depression and suicidal ideation when I moved in forgiveness.  I had been molested as a child.  In my breakthrough, I was finally able to forgive the man who had harmed me all those years ago.  The first morning after I awoke from a night’s sleep, I recall getting out of bed and realizing that I wanted to live.  For the first time in nearly thirty years, I wanted to be alive.  It was at that point that I started to become the husband that my wife deserved.  This entire transformation process did not occur in an instant.  But it did start, and it has continued.

My wife also celebrated a birthday this week.  Our eldest daughter and her husband of just under two years took us to dinner.  During dinner, we were discussing marriage and our anniversary that we would celebrate the following day.  My wife looked at the new bride and groom and reminded them, “It is not easy to love someone that is unlovable.  The source for that kind of love only comes from God.”  I knew, in an instant, that I had been unlovable during some if not most of the first twenty-three years of our marriage.  She is now reaping the benefits of her sacrifice.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

Just over two weeks ago, I accepted an invitation from this newspaper’s editor, Mary Kate White, to write this column on a rotating basis.  The way it is scheduled, I will submit a column once every four weeks for inclusion in the Religion Page of the newspaper.  I asked her why she would be interested in me contributing in such a way.  She said, in part, “I was drawn to your ministry because it seems somewhat unconventional.”  I loved her response!

My wife (Terri Lee) and I live in Boones Mill.  We will celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary at the end of this month.  We have three daughters, Jordan, Caitlin, and Whitney, who each graduated from Franklin County High School in 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively.  Each graduated from different colleges or universities in 2016 and have moved on with living their own lives.  My wife and I established a ministry in 2016.  It is named, My Brothers’ Crossing – a legacy ministry of Bobby and Pam Clark.  Truthfully, I am not a fan of religion.  Our faith is based on a relationship.  In a word, our ministry is unconventional.

For those of you who are not familiar with My Brothers’ Crossing, this ministry was borne of a tragedy that occurred in August 2015.  My brother, Bobby, and his wife, Pam, were killed in a motorcycle accident on a Friday night returning from a church service.  Following the lead of Bobby and Pam’s daughter, Robin, our family moved on a path of forgiveness toward the driver of the truck involved in the accident.  I was moved by the Holy Spirit to go to court on behalf of this man, C.J. Martin.  I went to court to pay his fine.  Today, not only is C.J. Martin my pastor.  I am also ordained as a minister in the church he founded, House of Purpose.

I said I was not a fan of religion.  Yet I am a minister at a church.  I believe that religion gets in the way of what is truly important in our faith walk as Christians.  I believe what is important in our faith walk is the relationship each of us are called to have with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  God sent His only begotten Son as atonement, as a sacrifice, for the sins of the world.  God desires a relationship with us.  He wants each of us to draw close to Him.  Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, each of us can be forgiven for our sins.

Receiving forgiveness.  It is such a simple thing to do, yet for many of us, it is one of the most difficult things to do.  Why the conundrum?  I think it has to do with pride.  Lack of humility.  Disobedience.  Self-centeredness.  Rebellion.  Personally, I struggled to understand the concept.  Simply couldn’t wrap my mind around it.  Couldn’t grasp the magnitude of it all.  I couldn’t accept that I was worthy, or God loved me in such a way that Jesus died for my sins.  I didn’t have any problem accepting that He died for others – just not me.  I was too broken.  I had too much shame.  I was unclean.  I didn’t deserve it.  The truth of the matter is, none of us deserve it.  That’s what makes it so powerful.  It is a gift such that no one should boast.  No one can do a thing to earn it.

In my mind, much of what we think of in terms of religion today are rules that were established by man.  In many instances these rules interfere with our relationship with Jesus Christ.  At House of Purpose, we have an expression which represents a way of living.  Love God…Love People!  As Christians, we are commanded to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  And, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.  Love covers a multitude of sins.
If you have questions about what it means to receive forgiveness or pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ, please contact us at jt.clark@mybrotherscrossing.org or terri.lee.clark@mybrotherscrossing.org.  We look forward to contributing to this column in the weeks and months ahead.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

Just over three years ago, I returned to church.  I showed up at a church in Bassett on November 8th, 2015.  Why did I go to that church on that day?  The story is a compelling one, but the very simple answer is, because I was asked.  A transformation has continued within my life that did not exist prior.  Research shows an increase in the number of people who attend church during the Christmas and Easter holiday seasons.  This same research shows that this increased attendance is often correlated to an invitation.

The invitation that was extended to me had nothing to do with a holiday season.  With almost certainty, had I not been asked to attend, I would never have shown up when I did.

Too many of us approach our faith from a position of habit.  We go through the same routine on Sunday morning as we prepare to go.  We might say the same thing to our family members as we try to rally each person to the vehicle.  We travel the same route to the same church building.  We look for the same parking space where we like to park.  We share the same greeting upon entering the building and we look for our seat.  Many of us approach our Sunday morning visit to the church out of habit.  We enter His house, not with a spirit of expectation, but rather one of “Check the box.  I’m here.”

As we move fully into the 2018 holiday season, I want to encourage you to take a fresh perspective on your routines.  Approach your times of worship, service, study, and prayer from a perspective of purpose.  Come to the church building on Sunday with an attitude of expectation.  Purposely seek out someone to whom you have never spoken and have a conversation with them.  Sit in a different seat than you normally do.  Visit the altar during worship and invite the Holy Spirit to have His way.  Open your mind, heart, and spirit to truly hear what He has for you on this particular day.

And just as you approach your own experience differently, invite someone you know to join you.  Maybe the people you would invite have previously told you that they are not interested.  Invite them anyway.  Maybe the people you would invite have a different belief system than you do.  Invite them anyway.  Maybe the people you would invite live a different lifestyle than you do.  Invite them anyway.  Maybe the people you would invite are covered in tattoos, have unkempt hair, don’t have nice clothes to wear, invite them anyway.

A major force in my transformation from the way I used to be to the person I am becoming had to do with an invitation.  Over these last three years, a few myths about my beliefs of church have been debunked.  1) Previously, I viewed that everyone attending church was leaps and bounds ahead of where I was in my faith walk.  Not only did I discover that it isn’t true.  It doesn’t matter.  My faith journey is just that, my faith journey.  It’s personal!  It’s between me and my Redeemer.  2) God could not use me to impact the life of anyone who already attends church.  This turned out to be false.  God proved He could use me to help connect His message with another person at the church.  We were stronger because we came together.  And 3) I can have the same spiritual experience staying home, reading my bible, watching a service on television or Facebook.  While these are partially true, they are not absolute.  For those who cannot get to church, these avenues are all quite appropriate.  But, for those of us that are able to come together, we should do so.

Who will you invite to join you at church over the last six Sundays of 2018?  Your invitation could have eternal implications for someone.  I know the invitation I received had those very implications for me.  Let’s be about our Father’s business.

“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23 (KJV)

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

As I reflected upon what I might write for this week’s column, I was reminded of a story documented in one of the Gospels.  In the account documented by Luke, he tells of a situation involving two disciples who had an encounter with Jesus as they walked on the road to Emmaus.  This encounter took place after Jesus had emerged from the tomb following his crucifixion.  You can read and study about this in the 24th chapter of Luke.

Jesus appears before these two disciples who have left Jerusalem.  They are walking the roughly seven to eight miles to Emmaus.  I can only imagine the conversation that would have been unfolding between these two disciples.  They had been in Jerusalem for Passover and had borne witness to the events that had unfolded involving their teacher.  They were certain that Jesus was going to be the One to deliver them.  Possibly, they held a limited view of this deliverance.  Maybe they thought that it was to be one from their oppressors, the Romans.  With the crucifixion of Jesus and now His disappearance from the tomb, I am surmising that there were more than a few seeds of doubt.  Maybe they harbored thoughts of despair.

The account in Luke indicates that Jesus came alongside these two in a way that they would not immediately recognize Him.  Jesus asks them why they are speaking of such things in such a way.  They are almost incredulous.  They challenged this stranger, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” Luke 24:18 (NLT).  After an exchange where Jesus asks them about what things, Jesus reveals Himself to the two of them.  Suddenly, they recognized who this stranger was.  Then Jesus disappeared.

How many of us have had an Emmaus Road experience?  How many of us have been in the presence of our Lord and been unaware that He has been in the midst.  Maybe we have harbored our own doubt about what we believe.  Maybe we have sat in despair over a situation.  Maybe during the current situation in which we find ourselves, we have wondered, where is Jesus?  Where is God in all of this?

I just wanted to remind each of us that people that walked alongside Jesus himself had questions and doubts.  The key for us, is not to live there.  Don’t live in our doubts and despair.  We must be like others in the bible who did whatever was necessary simply to take hold of the hem of the garment of Jesus.  As we find ourselves to be angry or confused, we need to remember that God is not an author of confusion.  We need to ground ourselves back in His Word.

If you are a mature Christian, you may find it incredulous that you fell into a such a state.  Your pride may be the very thing that keeps you from reaching out to someone that can help you get reconnected.  When you reach out to someone, they may not offer anything that you don’t already know.  But, sometimes hearing it spoken by someone else helps to get you plugged back into the source.

Have you ever used an electrical appliance and could not figure out why it was not working?  You troubleshoot to figure out what is wrong.  Maybe you turn the device on and off.  Maybe you hit the side of it against the palm of your hand trying to get it to work.  And then, you realize it simply came unplugged from the power source.  It just had to be plugged into the source again.  It can happen to us spiritually also.
Take a few minutes this weekend to read this account in Luke.  Read and study Luke 24:13-34.  Consider what the Holy Spirit might reveal to you about these verses.  Pray that you might be strengthened and encouraged in your current journey in today’s time.  Each of us as Christians and disciples of Christ need to be connected to the vine.  Maybe you are one that needs to be reconnected…maybe you are one that God will use to reconnect another.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News Post.

I remember a conversation that I had with a man who would become one of my pastors on November 13, 2015.  He spoke of lineage ministry and wanted to know what I knew of it.  I remember replying that I knew the Bible started with Genesis and ended with revelation, but that was about all I had at that point.  There was not much I could point to that I was living out a relationship with Jesus the Christ.  Truthfully, in my mind, the responsibility for ministry laid on the shoulders of the pastors of churches.  Why did I need to concern myself with knowing what ministry is?

My! How my life has been transformed.  I quickly learned what it meant to share the good news with others.  I learned that I didn’t need to have the entire bible memorized to begin reflecting to others about what God had done in my life through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.  And that was the just the beginning.

At the end of the Gospel of Matthew, after His resurrection, Jesus meets his disciples and speaks of the great commission.  Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV): 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

I would quickly learn that the role of ministry extends beyond the person in the pulpit to everyone who claims Jesus as their personal savior.  In Luke 9:23 (KJV), Jesus spoke to His disciples saying, “23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

So what does ministry look like?

Acts of ministry include so many things and can involve the smallest of gestures on our part to incredible self-denying actions.  Think about this scenario.  You are settled in to watch your favorite TV show or sporting event and a friend calls and wants to share a burden with you.  And you shut-off the TV to lend an ear to that person.  That is ministry.  Or maybe you pass by a convenient parking space to allow the person behind you to take that spot, that is ministry.  When you visit someone at the hospital or nursing home to speak words of life and love into their lives – that is ministry.  Giving a ride to someone so that they are able to make it to and from work, that is ministry.

Yes.  There are some people who are called to minister to a congregation from a pulpit.  And may God’s blessings be upon these people.  But we, as Christians, all have a role.  Show up at church when the doors are open.  Be a part of the ministry of your church.  Develop an understanding of God’s Word and will for your life.  Be open to how He would choose to use you from the smallest and simplest of tasks to those that require a greater sacrifice and denial of oneself.

And as you step into a role of ministering to the needs of others, be sure to keep yourself covered in prayer and bathed in His Word.

Jesus tells us in verses from Matthew 9:36-38 (KJV), 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.  37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

It is often said that we (as Christians) will be the only bible that some read.  Meaning, that how we act and minister in the lives of others may have an eternal impact.  Don’t just be hearers of the word.  Our actions speak louder.

What are others reading when they witness our walk?

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

It is with a sense of heaviness that I write this week’s column.  For nearly two years now, I have been given the opportunity to share hope and encouragement with readers of The Franklin News-Post.  I never thought myself to be much of a writer.  I have no idea as to any that I have made a connection with through this column.  I have had several people from our community that have connected with me in one way or another to share that they have appreciated the words I have shared.

As the bible so eloquently indicates, there is a time for everything.  In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, the NKJV reads: 1To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: 2A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; 3A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; 4A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; 5A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; 6A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; 7A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; 8A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.

My season for writing is ending.  I will continue to submit a column to the editor of The Franklin News-Post on a bi-weekly basis until she identifies a replacement.

When I accepted this opportunity, it was on the heels of another opportunity that abruptly ended.  I was eager for it.  I accepted it prayerfully and with a declaration that I am not an educated man and certainly not a theologian.  I never wanted anything that I shared in this column to sow seeds of confusion.  To that end, I think I succeeded.

I was afforded the opportunity to share much about the struggles I endured relating to mental health issues.  I hope that in those columns at least one found comfort.  I also shared much about my perspective on forgiveness and obedience.  These attributes and actions are at the core of the Christian faith.  We must choose to be obedient in our faith journey.  And we must choose to forgive.  Through our obedience, we grow in our relationship with the Living God.

One of the parables in the New Testament is found in Matthew 25.  It speaks of a master entrusting his wealth to his servants as he embarks on a journey.  The parable serves to remind us that when we are faithful with a few things, we will be put in charge of many things.  We are invited to share in our master’s happiness!  Being faithful and obedient is crucial.

In the current times, maybe there is one who is reading this column who has not had much of a faith walk.  Maybe current events have stirred something in you.  I want to encourage you to seek a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Find a church where your spirit can be fed.  If you do not know which church to attend, speak to a friend that attends a church.  Feel free to reach out to me and I can offer you my perspectives based on churches of which I have been connected.  My e-mail address is jt.clark@mybrotherscrossing.org.

In closing, thanks to the current and former editors of this publication that afforded me an opportunity to contribute in this way.  I appreciate that this newspaper includes a column such as this.  I look forward to continuing to read and be encouraged by what others will write.  Although I have never met him, I have appreciated sharing this space with Rev. Matthew Ricks of the Rocky Mount Christian Church.

May God’s blessings be upon each of you!

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

Circumstances have certainly changed since the last column I wrote.  And the outlook for the next couple of weeks is sobering.  If you’re feeling melancholy, angry, or despondent, it is certainly understandable.  As I prepared to write this week’s column, I was reminded of a sermon I heard preached on August 21, 2016.  That date is notable for our family as it was the one-year anniversary of the death of my brother and his wife.  We had planned several activities that weekend in celebration of their lives.  The weekend would culminate with a special service at House of Purpose.  This is the church pastored by the man involved in the accident.

On the Thursday prior to this weekend, I received a telephone call from C.J. Martin and his wife, Fernanda.  C.J. wanted to discuss the topic that he felt led to preach on that Sunday.  As he spoke, I could hear the conviction in his voice about this topic.  I could also hear some angst.  You see, many in my extended family were planning to be in attendance.  C.J. was concerned about how they might receive the message.  I assured him that if he felt convicted and led by the Holy Spirit, then he had no choice.  He must be obedient.

The title of the sermon for that Sunday’s message was, “What do you believe?”  Pastor Martin challenged us to consider this question.  While we mourned our loss, we could celebrate the lives and impact Bobby and Pam had on others.  We could celebrate the fact that they were now in heaven.  This is the truth that Bobby and Pam believed and lived.

As we are bombarded with messages about the seriousness of the current health crisis, it is a good time for us to ask ourselves, “What do you believe?”  Do you believe in God – Creator of heaven and earth?  Are you able to stand on the promises of the Bible – the Holy and inspired Word of God? 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) reads, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.  In Psalm 34:18 (NLT) we are reminded that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

I think back to where I was just five years ago.  I was not grounded in the faith walk that I find myself now.  I really did not have any hope.  And for my fellow passengers on this journey who have not developed a relationship with the Living God, the despair that you might be feeling in this moment.  Others might be questioning, if God existed, how could He let this happen?  Why would this disease befall His people?  The simple truth is that as Christians, we live this life to live again.  None of us should be in a hurry to leave this earth for as long as we are here, God has a purpose for us.  But, neither should any of His people view this as their home.  We are sojourners.  We are a peculiar people to be set apart from the world.

Much of what I have considered our ministry has been restricted at this point.  But our ministry continues.  I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to this newspaper column every other week.  I am thankful for the letters that I am still able to send encouraging others.  I am thankful for the specific prayer requests that we are asked to offer.  I am thankful for the opportunities to hear so many of my anointed brethren preach and teach in these days.  Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.

I want to encourage you to continue to seek God’s truth and promises.  Continue to reflect upon what you believe.  Stand on this in the days and weeks ahead.  Stay connected to your group through phone calls, text messages, social media or other avenues.  Be an encouragement to someone else.

I will close this column with Psalm 9:9-10 (NIV).  It reads, “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name, trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

I count it a privilege to be able to write this shared column for The Franklin News-Post.  Who knew when I wrote on the topic of priorities two weeks ago just how timely that would be?  Much has happened in our world since that column appeared.  It has been fascinating to see just what the priorities are for some of us.

Certainly there are many unknowns.  But for those that believe, we have our faith in a living God on whom our hope rests.  Masses of people are looking to their church pastors – and rightfully so.  God has placed these leaders in positions for times such as this.  I believe many non-believers are looking to see how the body of believers is responding to today’s crisis.  It is a great opportunity for the faithful to take a breath, stand on the Word of God, and allow His light to shine through us.  This is not the time to wrestle over the last item on a store shelf.

I have witnessed many church communities begin to adapt to the current circumstance.  How can technology be leveraged to continue to minister?  For many, Facebook Live has become but one tool; while others are looking to host drive-in style services at their church.  Yet others are increasing the frequency of their offerings.  All of this is being done in an effort to keep the body of believers connected.

In our ministry, My Brothers’ Crossing, we are also challenged.  We don’t have a church body, per se.  Much of our ministry has been to serve as a guest speaker or to fill-in for a local preacher.  Not much opportunity along those lines these days.  From an outreach perspective, the people to whom we have most frequently ministered have been the infirmed and those incarcerated.  The doors for such opportunities have been all but closed – and for good reason.  Our efforts have shifted to an old-fashioned approach of putting pen to paper.

I want to use this week’s column to encourage you.  Now, more than ever, it is important that the body of Christ be evidence of His hope, love, and strength.  If we will be bold in our faith, the impact we might have on His Kingdom could be immeasurable.  Write a letter of encouragement to someone.  Call a friend and speak words of life and love into their life.  Give to an organization that is working to meet the needs of someone.  Check in on your neighbor.  Use your social media platform to lift others.  Avoid feeding into the negativity of the situation.  If you read a post where someone is discouraged, consider how you might share hope.

In the natural realm, these are fearful times.  But for those of us who choose to walk in faith, what an opportunity we have.  Use this time to reset and ground yourself in whom you believe.  Communicate with God.  Spend time studying His word.  Reflect upon what you are studying.  Ask questions of those that you know to be strong teachers within your church family.  Reach out to someone who does not yet have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 9:37-38 (NLT) we read: He (Jesus) said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

As a disciple of Christ, are you ready to begin work or continue working in the harvest field?  Are you willing to set aside your angst and fear to do the will of the Father?  Pray for guidance.  Pray for strength.  Pray for discernment.  Allow Him to use you with just one person within your sphere of influence.  Who will be eternally impacted because of your willingness to do His will at this time?

I pray God’s blessings over each person.  I encourage you to share an idea or a way that is working to keep you connected.  Let others know how you are meeting the needs of another.  Not to be boastful.  No.  But to give someone else an idea as to what they can do.  To be hope.  To be love.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

Time flies.  It seems as though there is always another milestone just ahead – another marker of time.  This is magnified as we get older. When I was younger and did not have familial responsibilities, I didn’t notice it.  When I got married and especially when I became a father, that’s when I developed an awareness of it.  It manifested itself in a series of firsts – baby’s first words, first tooth, first steps.  Then it was the ever-approaching holidays as celebrations; a birthday party, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Becoming a granddad has created a sense that time is moving even faster.  Obviously, the truth of the matter is that time doesn’t speed up or slow down.  It is constant.  I just find myself getting caught up in the circumstances of the moment.  I find myself either looking ahead at an approaching milestone or worrying about some future deadline and miss the opportunity of enjoying the moment of right now.


I once heard a speaker say, “If you want to examine what the priorities in your life, look at your bank statement.”  It is a provocative, thought-provoking statement.  In fact, how we spend our money, time, and talents speaks volumes about those things that carry importance in our lives – what matters most to us.  Sometimes life’s circumstances will cause us to reevaluate our priorities.  A sudden illness or even a death of a loved one will often force us to examine what should matter in our lives.  But life circumstances on the other end of the spectrum can have the same effect.  Getting married, adopting a child, or moving to a new community can invoke the same type of introspection.  The neat thing about evaluating priorities is that we don’t have to wait for one of these life moments to do it.  As you finish reading this column, ask yourself, “What are my priorities?


As many of you know, I am a new granddad.  As a new member of this fraternity, I am fortunate that our daughter and son-in-law live in Roanoke.  It’s only a 25-minute drive to their home.  I can stop by and see my granddaughter practically anytime I want to do it.  A simple truth – I take that for granted.  My daughter recently challenged me on this point.  She asked me why I do not stop by with all of my visits to Roanoke.  With all sincerity, she recently challenged me on my visits to those who are hospitalized or incarcerated.  But you’re not taking time to visit your grandchild.


I appreciate that I have two pastors who are also mentors to me.  As our ministry was birthed, each shared this perspective with me.  God. Family. Ministry.  What they were saying was, make sure you have your priorities in the right order.  They cautioned that it is easy to get lost in the work of ministry and neglect the people that God has placed especially in your life.  I, too, need to reevaluate my priorities.


Matthew 6:33 (KJV) reads, “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  The NLT reads, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”  As Christians, our priority needs to be rooted in God first.  We need to seek His will for our lives through His Word and the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  Getting fueled through our connection to Him allows us then to be available to our families and to the needs of others.


I share this topic of priorities with you, not because I am executing it perfectly.  I am not.  I desire to be obedient to the will of God, even though I execute my obedience imperfectly.  It is just an opportunity to give you pause for reflection without being in a life-changing moment.  How do you spend your money, time, and talents?  I can do better.


The next time you see me out somewhere, ask me, “When is the last time you visited your granddaughter?  When did you speak with your mother last?  When did you celebrate the life of your wife?”  Life is too short.  What are your priorities?

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

My wife and I are the parents to three incredible girls.  Who am I kidding?  They are very much women now all living independently and leading their own lives.  One is in Georgia, one in Northern Virginia and the eldest lives in Roanoke with her husband and our granddaughter.  In spite of the challenges I faced in the years they lived at home, we diligently made the effort to eat dinner every evening together.  A focal point of the meal was the blessing that would be spoken before we would eat.  And I was okay with someone speaking a prayer, but it wasn’t going to be me.  My wife and three daughters would take turns each night speaking the blessing.  But, dad would not.  Out of respect, I would bow my head during this time.  In fact, I may even utter an ‘amen’ at the end of the prayer, but I would not speak a prayer.

This aversion to praying was not limited to meal times.  I did not pray with my wife.  I did not speak bedtime prayers over my children.  I did not spend time as part of a morning devotional.  I simply did not pray.  I do recall speaking a prayer on Sunday afternoons hoping that God would give my football team the victory.  “Just let them win this Sunday and I will even show up to church next Sunday.”  And, in the midst of the darkest times in my life I would cry out to a god that I doubted would have any concern for me.  In fact, on some level, I probably did this several times a day, but I did not speak a prayer to God that had any faith or belief backing it.

But, I had a praying wife!

My wife lived out her faith in front of me.  She was what I have come to know as a fervent prayer, a prayer warrior.  I would often see her sitting next to me with her head bowed expecting that she had dozed off and would nudge her.  She’d say, “Stop it.  I am praying.”  I would wake up in the middle of the night and witness my wife kneeling beside our bed while praying.  I would mock her for her behavior.  I would chastise her and tell her to knock off that nonsense and get back in bed.  Frankly, I would be disgusted.  How could she believe in such?  Oh sure, when I would find our backs against the wall with a financial concern or some health crisis, I would tell her to say one those prayers.  But, I wouldn’t speak it.

In 1993, as I laid in a bed in the intensive care unit of our local hospital suffering from liver failure relating to an overdose, my wife came into the room.  She had just received the dire news from our doctor about his prognosis.  With as stern a voice as she could muster, she grabbed my hand and said, “You’re going to pray with me right now!”

What is prayer?  Prayer is simply communication with God.  It is speaking words of thanksgiving and praise to our heavenly Father.  It is speaking words interceding on behalf of the needs of another.  It is speaking words of supplication for our own needs.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV), the apostle Paul instructs the church to, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

And that is just what my wife was doing.  She would tell me that God doesn’t always say yes in response to her prayers.  And he doesn’t always say no.  “Sometimes,” she would say, “God says not right now.”

I have come to believe in the power of prayer.  In fact, I will stop and pray with people wherever I am when the opportunity arises or a request for prayer is made.  I will speak a blessing at meal time.  I will pray facedown at the altar of whatever church I am attending.

I am so very thankful for the example my wife lived out in front of me, even while I persecuted her for it.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

An aspect of our ministry that has seemingly come from nowhere, but in fact, I have been prepared most of my adult life, is our visitation efforts at local healthcare facilities.  It is true that I worked inside the four walls of three different hospitals.  I have been involved for more than six years working for an organization that helps these healthcare interests prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.  Almost all of the work that I have been involved has focused on the physical environment in which healthcare is delivered.  As one who led facility services departments for these hospitals, I did not have a clinical role and did not have a direct responsibility with patient care.

As many of our readers know, I do not pastor a church.  That is not an area of ministry where I am called to serve.  Pastors bear a great responsibility to the people entrusted to their spiritual well-being.  Given the experience my wife and I have in healthcare facilities, we see our ministry as a way to connect with those who are sick or injured.

A pastor friend of ours who lives in Luray, Virginia recently began posting on social media whenever he was visiting a particular hospital.  In his social media post, he would routinely include a photograph of the particular healthcare facility and a message indicating when he would be there.  He invites those that see his message that he is open to visiting family and friends who are receiving care at the facility.  We copied his approach resulting in some pretty incredible experiences.

In almost every situation, we receive three to four requests for visits when we are at a particular facility.  In most instances, we are familiar with the person who is asking us to visit someone in particular – even if we do not know the patient or family at the facility.  Sometimes we are asked to check-in on a loved one because the family lives a great distance from the healthcare facility.  Other times, we are asked to visit out of concern for one’s faith (or lack thereof).  In all instances, we are asked to visit someone because another person genuinely cares about the patient or resident.

There is a process of checking in with healthcare facility personnel to understand any visitation restrictions or concerns.  We also seek permission from the patient and/or the family before entering any room.  Occasionally, the patient will be alone and asleep.  In such instance we will remain in the corridor outside of the room quietly speaking a word of prayer over the patient or resident and their family.  In every instance where the person is awake, we have always been welcomed into the room.

Our time with the patient or family might be a one-time visit lasting only a few minutes.  In other situations, we might sit with a family in the waiting room while their loved one is having a surgical procedure.  Our approach in all situations is purely from a ministry of presence perspective.  We approach each situation with prayer and openness as to how God would use us in a moment.  Maybe we are there just to hear someone’s fears about their health condition.  Some invite us to read scripture that is of significance to them.  Others just want someone to sit with them for awhile.  In each situation we have encountered, the patient and family have invited us to speak prayer over their situation.

In Matthew 25, there is scripture where Jesus is speaking of the least of these.  Bible scholars and offer their perspective over the meaning of who Jesus was referring in this passage. In each instance that we have encountered, we see this as an opportunity to bring comfort to those who already believe in the saving grace of Jesus Christ.  And to speak words of life and love into those that might not have had such an encounter yet.

In all the time I spent working inside healthcare facilities, I did not know I was being prepared for this type of ministry.  It is faith-affirming to be invited to return to visit someone who only a short time before was a total stranger.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

By now, many of us have enjoyed a bountiful meal with all of the holiday trimmings.  We likely have shared a perspective of what we are truly thankful.  Some will have stepped into communities of people that are struggling in this day and time and helped to prepare and serve a meal.  For some who volunteer in such situations, it is an annual tradition.  For others, it is just what they do week in and week out.

Through our ministry, my wife and I have an opportunity to meet with a few men at the Franklin County Jail.  We have been leading them in a bible study three days a week.  We are nearing the end of the study for this semester.  A portion of the study that we recently covered had to do with thanksgiving.  No, not the holiday.  We have been discussing an attitude and spirit of thanksgiving and praise.

I have written previously about how easy it is to have praises on your tongue and a spirit of thanksgiving when you’re on the mountaintop.  It can be more difficult to do so when you are in the midst of a storm.  The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV), In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  In his encouraging the church to be sober of mind, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in every and all situations.  We as a body of believers need to continue to be sanctified in our faith.  We need to continue to become mature in our beliefs.  So that when the storms do come, we can stand firm on the foundation and offer thanksgiving and praise, even though we are going through something.

A task that was assigned to the men in recent weeks was to write a top ten list, if you will.  Each was asked to write down ten things that they were most thankful.  You can imagine that someone who is incarcerated would be in the midst of a tribulation.  Separated from family.  Remorseful for their actions.  Repaying a debt owed to society.  Regretting lost time.  And with that being said, each man shared the list that he developed.

Some of the answers were common on each list.  They were thankful for their Savior, Jesus Christ.  They were thankful for their health. They were thankful for this period in their lives as it allowed them to refocus on the proper priorities.  For one man, he was thankful to hear of a saving grace.  They were thankful for family members that had stood by them even through their mistakes.  They realize that not everyone is so fortunate.

As I listened to their lists and expressions of thanksgiving, it warmed my spirit.  To me, it was a reflection of all God’s Word that we have been sharing since the semester started.  It also challenged me.  If these guys can be so hopeful and expressive of their praise, what is holding me back?  The difficulties that I am facing pale in comparison.  I was greatly encouraged by the spirit that each exhibited.  As Paul wrote, “In EVERY THING give thanks...”

I, too, have much to be thankful.  We were able to celebrate the holiday yesterday with family, including the newest addition – a granddaughter, Margot.  Collectively, we chose to reflect on all the blessings in our lives and the opportunity each of us have to pour into the lives of others.  A spirit of thanksgiving was easy to achieve yesterday.  As I continue to be refined by the fire of life, I hope that I will be a reflection of Christ’s love for His people.  I hope I will be an example, much in the way the men of our bible study class have been for me and my wife.

Psalm 95:2 (KJV) reads, “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”  Let us all continue an attitude of gratitude for all that He has done for us already.  Even if He doesn’t do one more thing to bless any of us, He has already done it all.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

Last weekend, my wife and I visited the City of Norfolk.  It was a very quick trip arriving Saturday afternoon and returning to Franklin County on Sunday just after lunch.  After checking out of our hotel Sunday morning, we walked a block to a nearby restaurant to grab a bite to eat before beginning the long drive home.  The restaurant was fairly empty.  We were seated in a bar area adjacent to a large window overlooking a parking garage directly across the street from us.  In an instant, I spotted a man sitting in a chair in a stairwell vestibule of the parking garage.  My spirit was stirred immediately.

What was the significance of this man?  What am I being called to do?

As the waitress delivered the food to our table, I took my wife’s hand and I prayed a blessing over our food.  In my spoken words, I asked God to reveal to me something about the man sitting across the street.  I asked that we might be guided in our actions concerning him.

As I ate my meal, I couldn’t shake loose from the idea that I needed to have an encounter with him.  Truthfully, I wasn’t looking forward to it.  I envisioned that he would belligerently tell me to leave him alone.  I didn’t have much to offer him in the way of material things or even money.  It was a Sunday and I did not know of the local resources of where I could even direct him for assistance.  There are hundreds more like this man, what is it I am supposed to do?

As we finished our meal, I handed my wife a twenty-dollar bill.  I instructed her to give it to this man if she was led to do so.  We cleared our check with the waitress and headed across the street.  We noticed that this man was sitting inside of a fully-enclosed vestibule and protected from the elements.  As I opened the door into this space, the man bellowed, “Be sure to close that door.  You left it open the last time you came in.”  Immediately, I thought, this isn’t going to go well.

We found this elderly man sitting in a wheelchair.  He had a couple of boxes of possessions neatly stacked alongside him.  He wore a winter coat and a pair of shorts.  He had a towel draped over his legs.  I thought again, what have I walked into?

I knelt beside him asked him his name.  He responded, “John.”  I shared that it was my given name also.  We connected.  My wife and I spent twenty minutes just speaking with this man.  He is 72 years old.  He doesn’t have any family.  His parents and siblings have all passed.  We spoke of his current situation and how long he had been homeless.  We spoke of his health concerns.  We spoke of his plans.  As we finished speaking with him, I asked him if my wife and I could pray over him.  He said he would like that very much.

I moved around to the other side of John and draped my right arm across his shoulders.  I reached out with my left hand and placed it over his hands as my wife began to pray.  As soon as my hand came into contact with John’s hands, he began to weep.

As my wife closed the prayer, she handed him the money.  He replied, “It isn’t the money that I needed.”  God revealed to me in that moment that it was the prayer, the physical contact, our time.

I have no idea what has become of John since our encounter.  I don’t suppose I will ever know.  I am sure life will continue to be very hard for him.  I wish I could have bundled him up and secured housing for him.  I wish that there was more I could have done in the moment.

One matters.  None of us can help everyone.  But each of us can help someone.  And that someone can be anyone.   For John, simply showing him the love of Christ may have been enough to give him hope for another day.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

I have been reflecting a great deal on the lives my brother and his wife lived.  Bobby and Pam Clark were faithful servants of Christ. They lived their lives to live again.  I hear it asked from time to time, if you were living your last moments on earth, how would you spend that time?  The thing is we never know when that last moment will come for any of us.  I did not speak with my brother on August 21, 2015.  But these are some of the things I have learned.


On that Friday morning, my brother wrote and mailed a letter to our mother.  In the letter, he was writing of his memories of her.  He wrote of his love for her.  He reflected upon the challenges he had in making the time to visit with her.  But, he also spoke of a plan to do just that.  My brother was speaking words of life and encouragement in the life of our mother.  He was edifying our mother – lifting her spiritually.


After mailing the letter, he traveled to the New River Valley Regional Jail for Friday pastoral visits.  On this day, his son was also incarcerated at this facility, but Bobby is not permitted to meet with him on pastoral visit days.  He met with other men, speaking words of the Holy Gospel and teaching these men.  He was able to pass a note on a napkin to his son.  Bobby challenged his son that he (my brother) wanted his son to be on fire for God.  My brother spoke of his desire to live more like Stephen (from the book of Acts).  On his last day on earth, he was teaching to people described in Matthew 25: 31-46 as the ‘least of these.’  In sending the napkin with the note he had penned to his son, he was edifying his son.  My brother was also reflecting on what it meant to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  What it meant to be ‘all-in’ and ‘sold-out’ for Christ.


Later in the afternoon of the same day, Bobby and Pam gathered with friends and took a ride on their motorcycles to attend church on a Friday night.  They enjoyed a time of fellowship.  They enjoyed the experience of making this trip.  They enjoyed the company of each other – husband and wife.


Arriving at T.R.A.S.H. Ministries on that Friday night, they entered the sanctuary.  They stood in fellowship with the men and women who had gathered together that evening.  They enjoyed a time of praise and worship.  Knowing my brother, this was an active process (not passive) for him.  They heard Mike Price preach the Word of God to those assembled.  They completed their visit at T.R.A.S.H. Ministries with an additional time of fellowship.  As they left, my brother threw his big paw in the air and called out to Pastor Mike, “Good Word tonight, brother.”  They then headed for their home in Floyd.


In living out their day, they lived out their faith.  They did not make it back to Floyd that evening.  Instead, they were called home to glory.  And even in their passing, one of the EMS providers who had come to render care to my brother, accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.


“It is evidence of lives lived well when you’re positively impacted others, even through your passing.”


Bobby and Pam had no way of knowing this was their last day on earth.  It mattered not.  They lived out their faith in such a way, that on the day of their Celebration of Life service, the officiating pastor did not have to lie about the lives they lived as he spoke to those gathered.


If you knew this was your last day, how would you live it?  Since things routinely happen in the blink of an eye, it should give us all cause to reflect how we are living, daily.  As you read this column, reflect on your last 24 hours.  As a Christian, what would that have looked like?  I thank God I am still be sanctified.  I pray for just one more day to impact the life of just one more person.

This article was originally posted in the Franklin News-Post.

As you read this week’s column, I encourage you to give thought to it in a personal way.  Reflect upon what is written as it applies to the circumstance in your faith walk.  For more than 25 years, the second Sunday in October has been designated as Pastor (or Clergy) Appreciation Day.  I challenge you to reflect on all of the ways your pastor impacts your life, the lives of the people who attend your church, and the impact he/she has on the greater community.  And while you’re thinking about that, consider all of the sacrifices made by the pastor’s spouse and family.

Those who are called to lead a church body, it is a powerful calling on their lives.  They certainly don’t do it for the pay, the work schedule, or the recognition – it is a calling.  They respond to this calling as an act of obedience for the One to whom they have chosen to surrender.  1 Samuel 15:22 (KJV) reads, “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”  To obey is better than sacrifice.

Sometimes our obedience requires a sacrifice.  And for those that accept this calling on their lives, they sacrifice a lot.  I know many of us with tongue planted firmly in cheek have made jokes about the brevity of a pastor’s work schedule.  Where else could you be adored by many and only have to work one hour a week?  I mean everyone loves everything the pastor does all of the time.  And, as long as the pastor shows up on Sunday and preaches a message to tell us everything is going to be alright – that we can live any old way we want to live and just ask for forgiveness, we will be just fine.  It sounds pretty easy to us, doesn’t it?

Reality check!

If we have a church we call home (even if we don’t attend regularly) who is one the first people we reach out to when we get into trouble?  The pastor.  The trouble could be manifest in a legal situation, financial concern, health matter, marital situation, we call on the pastor.  Pray for me pastor.  Intercede for me pastor.  We might even say that our pastors are our spiritual first responders.  Multiple this type of outreach times the number of people that are in the church body.

Certainly, we look for the pastor to be prepared for any message that is delivered.  But the pastor doesn’t have a responsibility to deliver a sugar-coated message that is easy for us to swallow during the service.  The pastor must be led by the Holy Spirit and share a message that the church body needs to hear.  Often times it is a message meant to encourage each of us on our faith walks.  But, sometimes, it is a message that pierces our heart and convicts our spirits.  It might even cause a harsh feeling.  The pastor has a special accountability for what is done in the pulpit.  The pastor will be judged for what is preached (and not preached) to God’s people from the pulpit.

Many of us will call out to the pastor to officiate over ceremonies and special services.  We will look to the pastor to be a part of our celebrations and remembrances.  Often times these events don’t occur when it is at the pastor’s convenience (or the convenience of the pastor’s family).  A sacrifice is made on their behalf to accommodate us.

Our pastors routinely have to rally the church to engage in community outreach efforts.  You see, it is our responsibility as a church family to reach outside of the four walls of the church building to those that are lost and do not know the saving grace of the One who came for all.

As you finish reading this column, speak a prayer on behalf of your pastor and family.  Write a note of appreciation to your pastor and deliver it this Sunday.  Let your pastor know of the love and appreciation you have for your pastor.

This article was originally published in the Franklin News-Post.

I recently had the opportunity to share a message at a church service.  It was a difficult one for me to share as it required me to confess a struggle that I have had for some time.  A couple of weeks ago, I was able to participate as part of a team during a weekend discipleship experience.  As I prepared for my role in this process, I prayed for God to allow me to see myself and the sin in my life the way that He saw my sin.  When you pray a prayer like that, watch out!

What was revealed to me as a result of this prayer was that I needed to address the manner in which I speak toward my wife, particularly in the privacy of our home.  I have used this column to celebrate the love I have for my wife.  And that is absolutely true.  My wife is very dear and precious to me.  However, at times, I would come home and verbally release my frustrations in her direction.  Most often, the issue that upset me had nothing to do with my wife.  But, nonetheless, I lodged comments in her direction.  God revealed to me that I was hurting her.

Whenever I am going to be traveling away from home, my wife will write me notes to encourage me while I am away.  The night before I left for this discipleship experience, my wife wrote four letters for me.  One was for each day – Thursday through Sunday.  The first three letters I read at bedtime.  The fourth letter I read on Sunday morning.

As I participated in activities during the course of this weekend, I confessed to the men in attendance the sin that God had revealed to me.  I shared that I had been making excuses for why I engaged in such behavior.  My wife loved me unconditionally.  She was a “safe” target for me to vent.  I rationalized that there was nothing I could really do about it, because we all need to let out our frustrations.

Paul’s letter to the Galatians, specifically 5:22-23 (NKJV), reads, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.”  If the Holy Spirit abides in me, than I have self-control.  I thought about the manner in which I conduct myself when my wife and I are in public.  I thought about how I speak to others, even when I am frustrated.  I know that I exercise more self-control in each of those circumstances.  Through prayer and a conscious choice, I knew I could behave differently.

I heard other men share experiences of loneliness.  I heard men speak of challenges they were facing relating to being single or divorced.  I immediately reflected upon the gift I have in my wife.  It drove home the significance that this sin represented in my life.  I really needed to change in this regard.

On Sunday morning, the final day of this experience, I opened the last letter that my wife had written.  I had not said anything to her about what God had revealed to me prior to leaving.  And this letter I was reading on Sunday morning had been written by her on Wednesday evening prior to my departure.  Two sentences she wrote in the second paragraph read, “I pray that He (God) will give you patience and the ability to hold your tongue when you feel the need to lash out at me.  Instead, you will see how I love you unconditionally.”