What does James 4:14 have to do with our American “Tax Day” of April 15th?  On April 15th 2003, God taught me a massive lesson about the “mist” of life.  Life is here today, and we are not promised that it will be here tomorrow.  Scripture has plainly spoken of this reality, but unfortunately many times we are caught off guard when death visits our friends or family. It was 10 years ago today that my friend...

Often death catches us by surprise, and then takes our breath away in the process.  Death can leave us feeling cold, exposed, fearful, angry, confused, and bitter.  Sometimes, death brings all of these emotions at once!  I still recall receiving the horrible phone call around midnight on April 15th 2003.  My pastor was on the other line when my wife answered.  She gave me the phone and I still recall hearing him say, “Josh, I...

This week has been an extremely draining week of ministry for me.  As a pastor, you are supposed to be ready to pray, preach, and comfort those who are gripped by the aftermath of death.  That’s really easier said than done.  This week, I have spent time in the hospital visiting with a man from our church who is near death due to an infection that has overtaken his body.  It’s a difficult thing to watch family members who...

Today is April 15th, otherwise known as “tax day” here in America, but to me it is a day that has greater significance.  Rather than remembering “Uncle Sam” I am filled with the memory of a man named William Harrell.  It was on this day in 2003 that my best friend, William Harrell, went home to be with the Lord through an unexpected car accident.  As I think about the tragedy each year on this day, I also have...

Today is the one year anniversary of my PawPaw’s death.  What a fast year it has been.  That means that one year ago yesterday was the last time I saw him alive and heard him speak.  Dealing with death at Christmas is often a challenge.  Christmas is about joy and peace.  Christmas and Death are like opposites.  Christmas is about life, but death is the end of life.  Christmas is about joy, but death is about sorrow. ...

One of the most difficult times in life is often connected to death.  The news may come through a knock at the door, a phone call, or even through a news broadcast.  The result of the news often causes the heart to swell up with pain that leaves us vulnerable, exposed, afraid, and a dozen other emotions sweeping through our minds and hearts.  Death is often unexpected, harsh, cold, and powerful.  The effects of death can often lead to...