Avon Park Correctional Facility The week before my anticipated visit to the large state prison outside of Avon Park, I mentioned to my Bible study group that I would be going to the prison to lecture on Esther. Many in the group were curious: “How did that come about? How did you get invited to […]

My Father-in-Law’s Advice to Me I’m blessed to have a godly and wise father-in-law, Rev. Bartel Elshout, who is known for his translation of Wilhelmus à Brakel’s The Christian’s Reasonable Service. I so much value his wisdom in that whenever I need to make an important decision I always seek his counsel. Recently, I asked […]

Three Ways Adult Children Can Honor Their Mothers Every second Sunday of May, Americans, Filipinos, and countless others around the globe celebrate Mother’s Day. This celebration centers on honoring mothers. Although this tradition originated in ancient pagan festivals, the motive embedded in this tradition is biblical. In fact, God in his fifth commandment demands that […]

Elders and Deacons Are Hospitality Leaders My wife and I were nearly in shock. We had just exited the train that had taken us from Milan to Venice, Italy. As we stepped out of the station we were nearly swept away by the churning stream of tourists. We hadn’t prepared for Venice. We didn’t know […]