The Christmas story has joy on one page and sorrow on the next… so we shouldn't be surprised if the story of our Christian life, even around Christmas, sometimes feels the same—especially since both are written by the same Author.
Loud Social Media vs. Quiet Church Classrooms
For over three decades, I have thought about the day I found my mother after my stepdad shot her in the head. There are many things I have forgotten since I was 10 years old, but that image of her in blood is seared into my brain—along with the image of her in a casket … Continue reading Loud Social Media vs. Quiet Church Classrooms
Sorrowful yet always Rejoicing
I don’t want to be around someone that is up one minute, and the next time you see them they talk about how hard things are. I don’t want to hear from people that are up then down, stable then shaky, rejoicing then sorrowful. If it isn’t 100% praise and 100% positive, find someone else—I … Continue reading Sorrowful yet always Rejoicing
The Crazy Ones
Advertisement that was released 28 years ago today… I‘m not so conceited to think I’ll change much, much less the world—but I do have a burning desire and hope that at the end of my life I can look back and see I was able to make a little difference in a few lives in … Continue reading The Crazy Ones
Investing in the Church’s Future
I had the chance at the end of our annual summer recap service to say a few short words.
Broken Blessings
Was in Greenville couple of weeks ago looking for a surprise for children’s camp I was sure a specialty store would have. They didn’t. Struck out. I felt bad driving that far, so thought I’d redeem the trip by letting the Apple Store check my 82% health battery on my laptop I’ve used nearly daily … Continue reading Broken Blessings
Reggie Miller, a Pastoral Example
The “more experienced/aged” (or whatever term I’m looking for) Christians should do for the rising generation of Christians what Reggie Miller is doing on the sidelines in game 6 of the Finals, Pacers and Thunder. He isn’t jealous or arms crossed or “In my day we played the game differently.” He’s jumping up and down, … Continue reading Reggie Miller, a Pastoral Example
Advice for New Ministers
The following list of items are advice that, if possible, I would go back in time and share with myself having now been in full-time ministry for over a decade. They are by no means the pinnacle of wisdom, and they may not be applicable for everyone in every situation. Also, they are in no … Continue reading Advice for New Ministers
Youth Wednesday – Sermon on 1 Timothy 4
During 2025, the high school teens at Gethsemane Baptist Temple are going through 1–2 Timothy in a series called “Foundational Lessons for Future Leaders.” On April 9, 2025, pastor Sam Duncan was gone to Washington DC and asked me to bring the youth into the adult service for a combined gathering. This message was from … Continue reading Youth Wednesday – Sermon on 1 Timothy 4
31 Years Ago Today
The older I get, the more I have learned: you cannot explain away the problem of evil. You can ignore it, or theologize it, or a gazillion other things—but you can’t come up with a solution that pleases everyone. In my own life and in the private hurts I know about in the lives of … Continue reading 31 Years Ago Today
There’s Someone in the Room
Preached in my AU class yesterday, sermon 2 of 4 before everything wraps up and I have to write a review of it. A total of 3 people heard it: the teacher, another student, and the Lord. And I think the Lord helped me speak to 2 people as if 2,000 people had been there. … Continue reading There’s Someone in the Room
God’s Got the Key
This week I got to preach the first of four sermons before I graduate. The text was 2 Corinthians 12:1–10 and the subject was “The grace of Jesus brings the power of Jesus to our weaknesses.” I bribed Christian to come to class with me and told him we would go to the CFA on … Continue reading God’s Got the Key
Resurrection > Results
Christian, in 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul tells us that our labor is not in vain. The reason it is not in vain is not because we have results we can point to, but it is because the resurrection of Jesus gives our work meaning. So if you look for results, find none, and it appears … Continue reading Resurrection > Results
When God Pauses
Between the last verse of Genesis 16 and the first verse of Genesis 17, it skips a time period of 13 years in the life of Abraham, one of the most important figures of the Old Testament. So Christian, don’t be too discouraged if there appear to be stretches of time in your life where … Continue reading When God Pauses
Darkness Didn’t Last Long
Between “God created” and “the Spirit moved” there was a whole lot of empty nothingness that looked meaningless and pointless… and then God said “Let there be light” and “It was good.” So Christian, if things look dark it may be because God is about to shine the light. When God began to make the … Continue reading Darkness Didn’t Last Long
Halfway through Job and the End of Job
Halfway through the book of Job, he says, “God is done with me, God must be angry with me, God no longer listens to me, and I guess God no longer cares about me.” Christians today reading the book of Job: “Oh no, Job. Just wait a little bit. Just keep going. You have no … Continue reading Halfway through Job and the End of Job
2025 Bible Reading Plan
There are some ambitious yearly Bible reading plans that can cause all of us to fall off the wagon. My wife asked for my help, and I used John Dyer’s tool to make a Bible reading plan that is very doable while taking you through the writings of John, the letter of Romans, the sermon … Continue reading 2025 Bible Reading Plan
The Date of Christmas
Them: “If you don’t know the exact date of your spiritual birth then you’re probably not saved!” Also them: “We might not know the exact date of Jesus’s birth, but the important thing is that we know he came and people have been changed ever since.” Christian, don’t feel guilty or even condemned because people … Continue reading The Date of Christmas
The Supernatural Ordinary
The Christmas story is a miraculous event. Yet had we seen it, most of it would have been very plain, ordinary, and filled with many of the boring matters of life. It was indeed entirely supernatural from start to finish, but those exciting, supernatural parts were only seen just a handful of times. On one … Continue reading The Supernatural Ordinary
Logos Bible Software Update
Logos Bible Software received a big update today. You can help me, if you’re interested in the software, by clicking here: https://logos.sjv.io/tonywalker23
Election and Affliction
Two great mysteries of the Christian life, both of them declared by God at the very, very beginning of Paul’s new life in Jesus: ELECTION and AFFLICTION. It’s as if God tells each of his children, “You’re mine… and it’s gonna hurt." But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for HE IS a … Continue reading Election and Affliction
Don’t Take the Bait
Wrote something for school about sexual faithfulness in the ministry. It is far from complete or perfect, but it is something we should all think about… The specific issue I will focus on concerns ways in which the church and a pastor can protect himself and his marriage (if married) from emotional and sexual unfaithfulness. … Continue reading Don’t Take the Bait
Guilt Doesn’t Produce Gratitude
People: “Don’t talk about your suffering when there is someone suffering far more than you.” Jesus: “Talk to me about your suffering, and I won’t make you feel guilty even though I suffered far more than you.“ Christian, don’t present a Savior who is only concerned once someone‘s pain and loss hits a certain mark … Continue reading Guilt Doesn’t Produce Gratitude
CTRL + ALT + BELIEVE
Theology and technology are two things that I have thought about for many years. Regrettably, I would be called a novice in both of those areas by some. However, I long ago came to the conclusion that someone can have joy and take pleasure in something without having to first become an expert. I was … Continue reading CTRL + ALT + BELIEVE
The Physician & Dylan
It’s bestNot to guessWho’s firstOr who’s last,Cause we see the faceBut God sees the mask.So instead of competing and comparingMyself to another’s pace,Lord help me be praying“Jesus, take off my mask and show me your face."
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