Shelby Farms Park covers over 4,500 acres in Memphis, Tennessee making it one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The land has hosted everything from a commune in the 1800s to a penal farm. For fifteen years I have run the roads, trails, woods, and wetlands in baking heat and bitter cold….
Will Tattoos Be in Heaven?
Dateline: Somewhere in Texas, USA I already know the answer to the question. But the first thing I noticed about him was the Nazi symbols tattooed on his skin. A reminder that he had a past. I also noticed the cross symbol on the pocket of his prison uniform. A reminder that he has a…
Beaman’s Commentary published through Dr. Spradlin’s efforts
Mid-America publishes Beaman’s Commentary on the Gospel of John The discovery of a commentary written (but never published) by Dr. Roy O. Beaman, longtime seminary professor and New Testament scholar, brings his unique biblical insights to light. Roy Beaman combined the talents of a linguist, a New Testament scholar, and a biblical archaeologist. He was…
The Long March Home
The soldier’s march is long and hard but not because of miles, for he carries a weight that cannot be named. Every wound is not of bullet or bayonet, but often of deeds done and of deeds not done. What do you say when a Christian “leaves the faith?” What commentary exposits the deeper meaning…
Child of a lesser god
For why is all around us here As if some lesser god had made the world, But had not force to shape it as he would? Till the High God behold it from beyond, And enter it, and make it beautiful? Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892): Idylls of the King: The Passing of Arthur. Line 13ff….
A Famous Landmark Revisited
Sometimes life can be a field trip. I learned this lesson living in the Northeastern United States where every road seemed to lead to yet another place labeled “Washington slept here.” Being more of a history “opportunist” than an intentional explorer, I love it when I chance upon some place of historic note, however obscure….
Death Was Our Unity: Memphis, Tennessee and the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1878
“Most cases, of whatever nature, were ushered in by a chill, followed by a fever, with a pulse and temperature to which the succeeding phenomena would correspond. The attack was so violent in some cases that death occurred within thirty-six hours.” Dr. Happoldt. Memphis, Tennessee 1878 (Source, p. 46) 1. A Forgotten Treasure A chance…
Who Trains the Superheroes?
Special Forces Members May Not Have Super Powers but They Do Have Super Training Imagine for a moment that you are flying in a helicopter. For most of us, that represents an adventure that few will experience. Now add to that: you are strapped in your helicopter seat in a near hurricane, at night, over water, and…
Adrian Rogers: The Case of the Curious Sermon
His first thought came more as a question than an attempt to write a sermon, “Why was this passage in the Bible?” Adrian Rogers loved to quiz me about the latest methods for sermon preparation. Through the years we talked about computers, software programs, etc. and he would laughingly say that they weren’t quite ready…
Amazing Stories of Adrian Rogers
What I am about to tell you is what I heard, and only that. I have not endeavored to fact-check or verify the words in any way. At the time I heard the stories I was stunned into theological silence. I have learned through the years that I do not need to explain, or explain…