It’s a sound that echoes throughout the self-made kingdoms of pride and conceit.  Its tone and timbre drives men to lofty pursuits and radical achievements.  It can be obnoxious or euphoric depending on its direction.  If aimed toward others it may become unbearably deafening; if aimed toward us it validates every effort exerted…it is the roaring sound of applause.

We do it at ball games, church services, award ceremonies, political venues, retirement parties, and just about any other event where someone is being recognized.  Clapping can be a healthy way of saying “thank you.”  It confirms our acknowledgment of someone’s …

In just a few more weeks college football will come to an end.  The national champions will be crowned, the Heisman-winner will be awarded, and all the accolades will be dispersed.  Headlines will cease, statistics will stall, top stories will dissipate, and the limelight for many highly-recognized athletes will fade away.  It is called the off-season.

The off-season occurs in ministry as well.

Yes, there are those moments when everything clicks on all cylinders.  There are those sermons that touch every heart.  There are those Sundays that thrill us with spiritual zeal.  There are those times when it feels as …

It’s human nature.  Especially for men of God.  We compare, contrast, and weigh our ministries by the successes, failures, and expectations of others.  Regardless of your stage or level of ministry, this temptation is a persistent foe. The overachiever in us all wants to excel and advance.  We want to win souls, build buildings, book meetings, grow ministries, speak frequently, minister often, and increase our network.  However, some men, in the name of ministry, are simply trying to make a name for themselves.  In this process, we can compare and contrast our lives with others thus affecting our motivation for …

You do not have to look very far to discover them.  They are all around us, and they come in many different shapes and sizes.  If given the chance, they can actually control our lives and dictate to us what we can and cannot do.  I am talking about excuses.  Everyone has them and everyone uses them.

Webster’s New World College Dictionary defines excuse as “an attempt to free oneself from obligation or responsibility- an unjustified ploy to limit liability.”  I believe Benjamin Franklin said it best, “He that is good at making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”  …

When Jesus gave the parable of the Good Shepherd, He not only described His love and affection toward humanity, He established a pattern for pastoral care. When sheep hurt, the inclination of the shepherd is to aid and assist in any way possible.  A legitimate shepherd will go to any lengths to find his sheep.  In the iconic parable, Jesus said the shepherd fought the elements of the rugged wilderness to find the one who strayed from the fold.  Even as Christ came to minister to the weary world, the pastor is to love, care, and comfort his members during …