On our last day in Dubai, Lisa and I ventured into the desert—something neither of us had ever done. We joined a small group of strangers for a guided excursion into what I call "the oasis in the desert." Our guide, Hazer, was a kind man from Pakistan who, like many others, had left his family behind to work in the Sheikh’s grand city.

In a world full of chaos, confusion, and suffering, the invitation of Jesus rings out like a healing balm: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). The rest Christ offers is not temporary relief or worldly comfort—it is eternal hope and peace found only through unwavering and humble faith in Him.

Dubai is not a new destination for Lisa and me. We passed through briefly during our first trip to Nepal in 2018, taking the metro during a long layover to catch a glimpse of the city before continuing on to Kathmandu. But to say we had truly been to Dubai would be generous.

These paragraphs chronicles my journey with my wife, Lisa, to Asia. We started in Orlando (which is not Asia). Then, we flew directly to the oasis in the desert, Dubai. After a few days, hop a plane to Kathmandu, Nepal, the home of Mount Everest. We only stayed a moment there, before hitching a ride on Buddha Air to Chitwan, Nepal, which have wild rhinos (a teaser). We will finish our adventure back in Kathmandu. After returning home, we would have traveled 21,632 miles (34,820 kilometers). To put that distance in context, we have traveled nearly 87% of the total distance around the earth.

The Christmas season brings us to moments of reflection—on God’s sovereignty, the trials of life, and His ultimate plan of redemption. One particular Christmas carol, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, with its poignant lyrics, invites us to consider the themes of suffering and waiting. Coupled with the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel, these reflections provide a profound look at God’s faithfulness and grace.

The book of Ruth is one of the most beautiful and redemptive stories in the Bible, nestled between the chaos of Judges and the rise of the Israel’s kings in 1 Samuel. In this week’s Advent devotion, titled “He Who Is Mighty,” Lisa and I focus on the themes of shame, redemption, and God’s unwavering grace on sinners.

Through the lives of Naomi and Ruth, we see how God lifts shame, restores brokenness, and transforms lives. Drawing inspiration from the song “He Who Is Mighty” by Sovereign Grace Music, we reflect on how Christ lifts the shame of through His life and death.

As we continue our Advent reflections, we turn to a cherished hymn, "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus," written by Charles Wesley. This beautiful carol, though brief with just two verses, carries profound themes of grace and Christ’s kingship. It reminds us that Christ came into the world to set us free from sin and fear, offering salvation by grace, not by works.

In Episode 2 of O Come, O Come Emmanuel, we dive into the story of Abraham and Sarah, a story of faith, waiting, and God’s unwavering promises. As we continue to explore the theme of waiting throughout Scripture, this episode reminds us of the vital connection between faith and God's faithfulness, especially during the Advent season.

The Advent season is a time of waiting and anticipation, a central theme in the Christian faith. In this first episode of our daily devotional series, O Come O Come Emmanuel, we explore the promise of God that began in the Garden of Eden and find its fulfillment in the birth of Jesus. Waiting is woven throughout Scripture, and as the people of God, we are called to be a waiting people. In this episode, we reflect on the fall of humanity, the promise of redemption, and the hope that sustains us as we await the fulfillment of God's promises.

I want to share a few thoughts on the day before one of the closest elections in recent American history. I cast my vote early, just before a heavy downpour on Halloween. Early voting has certainly made the process more convenient for many, especially in states like Tennessee, where voters can visit any early voting location rather than a specific precinct. Americans are engaged, casting their ballots, and considering what kind of leadership we want for our nation.

As election season rolls around, many Americans head to the polls to make important decisions on issues that shape the fabric of society. In states like Missouri, one such issue on the ballot is the question of abortion rights. The secrecy of the voting booth, where no one sees how you cast your vote, raises significant questions about the tension between public moral stances and private choices. In this reflection, we explore how anonymity influences our decisions, especially when those decisions involve deeply moral issues such as the right to life.

In a recent episode of The Pastor and His Newspaper, I addressed two significant topics shaping the political landscape: the geopolitical tension between the U.S. and China and the ongoing abortion debate in the upcoming American presidential election.

The story of Cain starts with hope as Eve celebrates the birth of her firstborn but ends in despair. Cain, once full of potential, is cast out from Eve and the presence of the Lord, becoming the master of a wasteland—Nod, the land of the aimless. Cain's descendants, and the generations that follow, walk in his footsteps, drifting further from the presence of God. The story of the Tower of Babel later illustrates a world filled with people, like Cain, migrating aimlessly away from God.

Many of us probably do not face this sort of active restriction against gospel work. However, if you have the humble blessing of being in touch with present-day, global, mission work, you might know people who do. We have brothers and sisters living and serving in countries who face daily opposition to gospel work. We may only know their abbreviated name or pseudonym, or their silhouettes, or the general region where they work, because the danger of their identities being exposed could immediately garner dangerous consequences.

The intersection of faith and politics continues to be a cornerstone of American elections, and the 2024 race is no exception. Kamala Harris’ religious diversity and commitment to progressive policies contrast with Donald Trump’s focus on conservative evangelical values, setting the stage for a battle that transcends political affiliation and delves into the very identity of religious belief in America. As we head into the final months before the election, these themes will no doubt shape not only the campaign narratives but also the decisions of voters across the nation.

Mission trips are deeply transformative in the Christian life. Ultimately, they teach us of the Spirit-given unity of the bride of Christ across nations, languages, and cultures that grows our anticipation for John’s vision of a multinational worship to take place in Heaven:

Picture this: a landscape where universities serve as bastions of intellectual exploration, fostering critical thinking and scholarly engagement. But in recent years, this vision has become obscured by the fog of ideological conformity, where dissenting voices are muffled, and the marketplace of ideas resembles more of an echo chamber.

He spoke to me with an excellent Southern twang and proudly announced that he lived in Moscow, Tennessee. I never knew Moscow produced one of the most remarkable men I would ever know. The town with the small home at the end of the gravel road that I visited with my family as a boy is the home of the great Glen Sides.

Why should it matter if a person is committed to a local church if they are a Christian and I attend a church service on occasion? I would argue that the importance of membership in a local church is the same argument for the importance of marriage over cohabitation. While several couples enjoy the beautiful things that a married couple gets to do: live together, make a home together, engage in marital intimacy, have children, share confidences, etc. These are activities of marriage.

And they’re off for a second time. The first time was so great that we decided on an encore for the Biden vs. Trump election. However, the question on American voters’ minds now is the potential for disruption from third-party candidates.