I'm known by my friends and family as the "reluctant pastor." This nickname isn’t because I don't love the church, or my job, but because I never thought that would be who I am today. When my little church in Oklahoma captured my heart over 35 years ago, I agreed to help with their youth (12 kids) and their choir (16 voices).
Read MoreThey say an elephant never forgets. If that's true, then elephants must be miserable. I think it would be nearly impossible to be happy while remembering everything.
Think about it: every argument you've ever had with your spouse, every disagreement with your children, every insult or indignity you’ve received at work or school. All these memories lingering forever in your mind for you to replay again and again.
Read MoreNames are important.
Unlike most important things in your life--such as where you will live, who you will marry, your school, your career, etc.--you don’t get to choose your name. When you’re born, someone gives you your name.
When I was born, I was named after a local broadcaster, Martin Karant, in Kingsport, Tennessee. My brother, Joey, was named after Joey Bishop, a famous singer my parents loved around the time he was born.
Read MoreA few thousand years ago, God made a promise to us. You might be surprised to know this. Here it is:
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2Read More
Welcome to the maiden voyage of my blog.
I never dreamed I’d do this. So it’s ok to ask “why.” Why am I doing this? There are several reasons. First, I’ve been encouraged to do this by people I trust who think I need to tell the “rest of the story” after I speak to the church each weekend. But the second reason I’m doing this is probably the most compelling reason: I need a place to say things that couldn’t be said on Sunday, or things I hadn’t thought of until Monday, or just vent random thoughts that you may find interesting.
Read More
