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A Mom's Love is Never Done by Peter Lumpkins

Hariette Petersen (most know her as "SelahV") has a penetrating testimony of a mother who never stops loving her son. In her piece entitled, "When the Inconceivable Falls on Mother's Day," she confesses: "I wondered how I'd feel today. It's been six years since Mother's Day exploded on May 8th. Each year, I've had a bit of a respite from that horrific anniversary of my 33 year-old son's death and Mother's Day celebration. The past few years I took some solace in the fact that this day sanctified as the... Read more →

"Dear Ruth": Hopeful Words to a Hurting Christian by Peter Lumpkins

Several years ago, I wrote several pieces for a site which specialized in answering questions about life, faith, God, church, Scripture, Christianity and even religion in general. I was cleaning out some files in my databank and found several of those pieces. Below is a question I answered from "Ruth, a confused Christian." "Ruth's" question is followed by my answer as I sent it>>> Ruth's Question: I've been saved for 20 years. lately I've been studying "candle magic", dream telepathy and creative visualization and hypnosis. The whole time I've been... Read more →

Let Love Be: A Brief Exposition on Romans 12:9-13 by Peter Lumpkins

I ran across pulpit notes on a sermon from Romans 12 I preached several years ago. The passage is incredibly inspiring. Below is a short impromptu from my handwritten notes. With that, I am... Peter Read more →

Tozer on a Joyless Faith by Peter Lumpkins

"If men do not have joy in their hearts they will seek it somewhere else. If Christians are forbidden to enjoy the wine of the Spirit they will turn to the wine of the flesh for enjoyment. And that is exactly what fundamental Christianity (as well as the so-called “full gospel” groups) has done in the last quarter century. "God’s people have turned to the amusements of the world to try to squeeze a bit of juice out of them for the relief of their dry and joyless hearts. “Gospel”... Read more →

A. W. Tozer: The Ailing Church's Forgotten Prophet by Peter Lumpkins

Hear the forgotten prophet: "The pitiable attempt of churchmen to explain everything for the smiling unbeliever has had an effect exactly opposite to that which was intended. It has reduced worship to the level of the intellect and introduced the rationalistic spirit into the wonders of religion" A.W. Tozer Read more →

Lord's Day Reflection by Peter Lumpkins

After offering a valuable definition of religion in their widely used textbook on philosophy of religion,** philosophers Beverly & Brian Clack (brother & sister) raise an interesting question: If God's existence can be 'proved', this would seem to suggest that God is an object amongst other objects" (p.8). For example, I am staying with some life-long friends in Louisville. I believe they exist and have ways to measure my belief. I drive to their house; I sleep in their guestroom; I eat Sharon's award-winning coconut cake; I beat Jim at... Read more →

OH THAT MEN WOULD CONFESS by SelahV

Last week I had a heart catherization that proved to my doctors that my heart was clean and free of suspected blockages. Although I was glad that so many people's prayers had been answered, I need to confess. I was rather disgruntled that the doctors had insisted I have these expensive tests before they looked to less costly ones to rule out other things that cause similar symptoms of heart disease. Today, I realize how ungrateful I am. "Oh, that men would praise [and confess to] the Lord for His... Read more →

Asking Horizontally, Receivng Vertically: Ironing out the Wrinkles of Unanswered Prayer

I'm blessed with a great Bible study leader whose life-group he facilitates on Sunday morning. More than I'm confident he realizes, David C. jars my thinking loose from idle inaction stuck for Lord only knows how long. Today's text on Solomon served us all well. And, while the following is not what we spoke about together, the text we used got me to thinking. Or, jarred me loose, if you will, to ponder the text a wee bit more. Consider: "In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream... Read more →

"$3.00 Worth of God, Please": Beyond My Typical Faith

"But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. A nd Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.And h e said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus" (Matthew 14:27-29). Those are the words spoken to Peter but not to the other disciples. Rummaging through some books I'm giving away, I found this gem from a sermon by... Read more →

2 Days Journey: What It Takes To Hear God

"The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 'Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words.' So I went down to the potter's house..." (Jeremiah 18.1-3a, ESV) “The word that came to Jeremiah…” The weeping Prophet offers to us a lesson about hearing the Almighty’s voice; a valued lesson he learned from years of experienced listening. To our hearts, know, Child of God, that good and good alone results in following one so connected to the Bible’s God. So what,... Read more →

2 Days Journey: Going Deep Within To Find Forgiveness

A few years ago, while serving as Interim Senior Pastor at a Church in south metropolitan Atlanta, I started a writing ministry I called "Letters to Socrates". In those letters that became quite popular for discussion groups as well as points of interest to individuals, I answered real questions folks had posed to me to a fictitious friend I called Socrates. Below is one of those letters I penned to a person who struggled with forgiving another person the horrid wrong committed against her. It is meant to be pondered... Read more →

The Power of True Faith: Perpetua and Felicity

Few stories grip our imagination and swell our Christian honor than accounts of those who died for their Faith. Our spines tremble when we recall Dietrich Bonhoeffer's famous dictum in The Cost of Discipleship: "When Christ calls a man, He bids him 'Come and die'". Most of us preachers, at least in the United States, talk of such radical dictums as ironically we stand comfortably in a secure, safe pulpit--air-conditioned, of course. Yet, actually walking the path of sorrows? About as close as we come nowadays is bearing up under... Read more →

2 Days Journey

"Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him." (Matthew 3.13) For us, baptism has ever been a symbol that our sins were washed clean and we stood in new relation to God and men. And while it would be impossible for Jesus’ act of baptism to be symbolic of cleansing from sin (for He possessed no sin from which to be cleansed), being baptized did indeed symbolize a new relationship in His role as Messiah. Baptism served as a doorway, if you will,... Read more →

Loving One's Enemies

Our Lord, in His most memorable sermon, spoke of loving one's enemies. He said: "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5.44). And, this was not a spur of the moment demand. Rather, through out His ministry we find Him reminding His disciples about this principle: “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" (Luke 6.27); "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward... Read more →

Honoring God Through Honorable Dialog

I just read Keith Schooley's latest post as he asks "Does Your Theology Honor God?" What a breath of fresh air among bloggers. If you can only squeeze one post in the rest of the day, skip the others and ponder Keith's. It could revolutionize blogging for God. With that, I am... Peter Read more →

Raising Questions About the Quality of Worship

Every Pastor will, if not today, one day this week, ponder precisely how the service(s) got along yesterday. Perhaps with a deacon confidant, or staff colleagues or maybe just with his wife, the Pastor will attempt to reflect on the worship experience or lack of it. He will wonder if the music was appropriate, if it was high quality. He will express his curiosity as to whether his message connected with the people...>>> And, of course, he will ponder the attendance--up or down--and if his church is making a difference... Read more →

By This All Will Know You Are My Disciples

Hopefully, my PC and Internet Connection woes are beginning to pass. The problems have been continuing for over a week. However, I now see some relief...>>> Recently, I was asked this question via email and, in light of the continuous conflicts that brew in the SBC, I thought I'd post my initial response here. Perhaps you have some thoughts as well. Question: Can only a Christian demonstrate true love to another? What love is it and where does it come from if a non Christian does as the good Samaritan... Read more →

2 Days Journey

"Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them." (Isaiah 42.9) Scripture reveals that the God of the Bible is a God of action. He makes things happen. The former things have come to pass. What things are here referred? All things He Himself planned. God is sovereign over all and no thing happens per chance. Therefore, God brings about His will. That makes God, God. And new things I declare. God’s activity is never stagnant. Rather... Read more →

2 Days Journey

"The LORD is the strength of my life" (Ps 27.1) Ever been told to eat your spinach so that you will grow strong and healthy? Do you take vitamin supplements to enhance daily intake of necessary nutrients? Are you walking two miles every day like your doctor suggested? None of the these things is surely bad for you. To the contrary, they serve as disciplines to keep you healthy and fit. Yet there is a strength that we must pursue that, neither alone nor together, the above can satisfy. This... Read more →

Song of Salvation: A Poem about Incarnation

The following poem I penned December 24, 1991 as I was contemplating our Lord's descent. I share it with you. It's entitled, "Song of Salvation." I've got a song in my heart for Christmas It's all about Bethlehem The manger scene in the city Eternal God born man My heart bursts with joy and wonder At that magnificus event When our Father, with sinners in mind Decreed His Son be sent Yet with no reluctance whatever The Word said "Father, I'll go; To become a man a humbling thing, But... Read more →

Incarnation: The Bottom Line of Christian Belief

The Inspired Prophet foretold of Messiah's birth some three quarter's millennium before He arrived. There recorded are these fantastic words: "Behold a Virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and you will call His name Immanuel, meaning 'God with us'" (Isaiah 7.14). The coming of Messiah...The virgin birth of Christ...God with us, God becoming human. C.S. Lewis writes in Miracles, a modern day classic, these words pertaining to the Incarnation: The central miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation. They say that God became Man. Every... Read more →

2 Days' Journey

“Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.” (Romans 1.5) Grace is perhaps the most beautiful word in Scripture. No word captures for the believer better the act of God toward us. We received grace. Thank God for it! Grace is that blessing from God we receive which we could not possibly deserve. Grace is unmerited favor. That is, though justly deserving Hell’s tomb, God gives us Heaven’s throne. Through Him…we... Read more →

2 Days' Journey

“Restore us, O God; Make Your face shine upon us, that we may be saved” (Psalm 80.3) The prayer concern of the worshipper is restoration. Restore us, O God. Restore us to what? Had the worshipper fallen into sin? Had his love grown cold? Was he failing to love neither his God nor his neighbor as himself? Was his marriage in trouble? Restore us, O God. Actually, it could have been either or all of the above. Make Your face shine upon us. The worshipper saw clearly his only hope... Read more →

2 Days' Journey

"I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images” (Isaiah 42.8) Most of us go through a period in our life when we lose who we are. Ever searching, we attempt to chart a steady course through the turbulent waves of uncertainty. We experience, then, an identity crisis. God, however, never has nor ever will experience a loss of knowing Who He is—I am the LORD, that is My name. From all eternity, God has been... Read more →

2 Days' Journey: "Is He The One, Or...?"

“Are you the One who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11.3) Doubts—all of us have them at one time or another. John did. And, according to Jesus’ own testimony about John, no greater man was ever born among humans than the Baptizer. Doubts—they can be ruinous of our souls. Doubt—it was the tool the tempter used against Eve in God’s Garden: “Yeah, hath God said…?” as the Old version states, capturing the doubt Satan planted in Eve’s willing heart. And while doubt possesses the potential... Read more →

2 Days' Journey: November 10-12, 2006

"I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people”--Isaiah 42.6 I will keep You. God gave a promise to His Son that He would guard His Son. The Father would keep Him. Even Satan knew this as he was trying his dirty temptoral tricks against the Messiah while in the desert. God will keep Jesus. There is a similar promise for us, dear Christian! God will keep us as well! It is not we who keep ourselves in His good graces. Rather it is the Father... Read more →

2 Days' Journey

Today, I begin a weekly series of little devotions for the 2 day weekend—thus, I title them "2 Days’ Journey". I hope they will assist you in some small way, anticipating a glorious Lord’s Day with our Coming King. And, though I will leave the comments open, the thoughts are designed as contemplative, surely not argumentative. A much needed break from the continued diverse discussions… "Then the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and... Read more →