Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about the vision Elisha saw in 2 Kings 6. Those who are with us are truly more than those who are with them. I’ve been reading … Complete Surrender, by Julian Wilson — the first biography of Eric Liddell I have read, and likely not the last. I’ve been hearing … Liddell actually fell during a quarter mile race, picked himself up, and won. I thought for sure the movie made that up. I’ve been playing … Rook. Help is right there, staring you in the face. It just may not be the specific kind of help you are looking for
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about local overseers for local churches. It takes a special man for the task. Thank God for those special men. I’ve been reading … A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by Phillip Keller. The more we learn about sheep, the more remarkable our Lord looks. I’ve been hearing … myself and people like me called “Pastor” all my life. And I really wish they would stop. I’ve been playing … Fields of Green. Sheep are a blessing to their owner. If they are not, the shepherd is likely to blame. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://w
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about the crosses we have to bear for Jesus. If that sounds painful, you don’t know the half of it. I’ve been reading … The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Grace that does not lead to discipleship is beneath the dignity of our calling. I’ve been hearing … excuses, one after another. And they all mean the same thing — “Lord, I just don’t want to.” I’ve been playing … Otys. Play the game to the best of your ability. But don’t get discouraged if your ability doesn’t amount to much. Check out Hal on YouTu
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about Stephen. He knew better than most, those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I’ve been reading … Animal Farm by George Orwell. Despite all our talk about being equal in Jesus, some of us do seem to be more equal than others. I’ve been hearing … Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro talk about Bible stories. I wish they could take those stories to their logical conclusion. I’ve been playing … Deception: Murder in Hong Kong. Stories are supposed to reveal important truths. Let’s make sure they do.
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about how doing nothing is not inherently safer than doing something. You can’t shop for the perfect fire extinguisher forever. I’ve been reading … debates between brethren over various issues. The “safest route” argument is not a good one for either side. I’ve been hearing … “The Prayer,” lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager — a beautiful song, but one that asks God for the wrong kind of safety. I’ve been playing … Small World. If your goal is to lose very little, you’d better be prepared to lose everything. Check out Ha
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about straw men, and trying not to fight too many of them. Easy victories are not really victories at all. I’ve been reading … Plain Talk, by Robert Turner. I thought I would comment on how he handled the political chaos of his day. Trouble is, he didn’t. I’ve been hearing … Voctave, the best singing group I’ve ever heard — and especially how the uninitiated respond upon their first hearing. I’ve been playing … Castles of Burgundy. Occasionally you have to respond to others’ actions, but it’s rarely an excuse for
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about lazy parents. We can’t discipline our children if we aren’t disciplined ourselves. I’ve been reading … lazy accusations against my brethren. It’s hateful, it’s prideful, and it’s tearing apart the body of Christ. I’ve been hearing … lazy preachers, feeding themselves at the expense of the flock. I’m looking hard into the mirror here. I’ve been playing … Silver & Gold, a fun filler game that might have been a staple in our house if the designers had just tried a bit harder. Check out Hal on YouTube at https:/
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about “last words” speeches in the Bible. It may not be important to make them count, but you might as well try. I’ve been reading … Nehemiah. At the end of the work, we will be remembered for something. Let it be for good. I’ve been hearing … a new preacher will carry on after we have gone. And really, it makes a lot less difference than you might think. I’ve been playing … Amerigo. A new world means new challenges and opportunities. Predictability can be nice, but it’s probably overrated. Check out Hal on YouTub
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705 Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the Lakewoods Drive church through Facebook and other social media. Lakewoods Drive is an autonomous group of Christians dedicated to praising God, teaching the gospel to all who will hear, training Christians in righteousness, and serving our God and one another faithfully. We bel
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I've been preaching... about perspective. The definition of "essential" changes depending on circumstances. I've been reading... the gospel Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 15. The resurrection is at the core of everything. I've been hearing... about Shelley Luther and the world's most famous hair salon. When if ever is it essential to rebel against the government? I've been playing... Silver. Fighting off vampires every day can get boring. Changing your tactics keeps it fresh. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halham
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I've been preaching... about the spiritual implications of the COVID-19 lockdown. Whatever you do, do it in love. I've been reading... worldly comments on social media. If Jesus isn't in your virtual life, maybe He's not in your real life either. I've been hearing... churches measuring success with numbers. But real concerns don't show up on a spreadsheet. I've been playing... Similo. We all make judgments based on obvious factors, and what we find obvious may be disturbing. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammo
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about wineskins, and how our attitude can directly affect the gospel’s attempt to change us. I’ve been reading … The Second Incarnation — A Theology for the 21st Century.” The question is, do we really need one? I’ve been hearing … polls being quoted everywhere by everyone and for every purpose. I’m inclined to ignore them all. I’ve been playing … Coloma, a great example of a game that’s just not for everyone. And that’s OK. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705 Hal Hammons serves as
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about the signs of the times — what they were in Jesus’ time, and what they are today. I’ve been reading … Revelation. The key is seeing what God wants you to see, not what you expect to see. I’ve been hearing … the COVID-19 models were off. Way off. And why not? They were made by humans, after all. I’ve been playing … Grand Austria Hotel. You can’t know the future, but you can set yourself up for success. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705 Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shephe
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about being born again, the absolute core of what it means to be a Christian. I’ve been reading … Ezra, and seeing parallels to our current situation that are absolutely stunning. I’ve been hearing … “Here Comes the Sun,” one of the most beloved Beatles songs of all — and for good reason. I’ve been playing … Dice Hospital, and now I’m even more grateful that God doesn’t give up on us. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705 Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods D
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about zero-sum Christianity. God does not need to rob you to give to your brother. I’ve been reading … more from Wealth: is it worth it? By S. Truett Cathy. More money does not always make us more generous. I’ve been hearing … Tax cuts can lead to smaller church contributions. How exactly does that work? I’ve been playing … Gugong. You can’t give to God more than He has already given to you. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705 Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lake
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about talents, and a willingness to work with however many you have. I’ve been reading … Wealth: is it worth it? by S. Truett Cathy. Do good work and growth takes care of itself. I’ve been hearing … The stock market is down. Like in 2008, and 1930, and 1893. Don’t panic just yet. I’ve been playing … Underwater Cities. If you live your life just going turn by turn, you will drown. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705 Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! Since I had some extra bandwidth, I included as a bonus this month my sermon from Psalm 46. I think this directly addresses some issues of faith that have been brought to the surface because of the current crisis. I hope it is an encouragement to you. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705 Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd for the Lakewoods Drive church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas. He is the host of the Citizen of Heaven podcast. You are encouraged to seek him and the Lakewoods Drive church thr
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … About Elisha, a bald man my father can be proud of. I’ve been reading … Living Above the Level of Mediocrity, by Charles Swindoll. The standard of greatness has definitely changed in 30 years. I’ve been hearing … stories about doctors and nurses running into the line of fire. And celebrities giving concerts. Which is nice, too I’ve been playing … Adventure Land. Eyes forward, always. Remember Lot’s wife. Check out Hal on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@halhammons9705 Hal Hammons serves as preacher and shepherd
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … to the camera for the last couple of weeks. I really thought it was going to be easy. Actually, for me at least, it’s much much harder. I’ll explain why and what I’m doing about it. I’ve been reading … a lot less news. Once I thought the news connected me to what was really going on in the world. These days I really believe the exact opposite is true. I’ve been hearing … about social distancing — both the voluntary and the involuntary versions. I’m tired of complaining about it; now I’m looking for a way to make i
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about the spread of evil, and why holiness doesn’t spread as easily. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if it did? It’s worth a try, at least. I’ve been reading … The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis. Children amid the worst horror imaginable find escape, freedom and glory. Yes, it can happen to you. I’ve been hearing … about virus rebels. Many young adults are fighting cabin fever by just pretending Coronavirus doesn’t exist or that it won’t touch them. They’re idiots. I’ve been playing … Not Alone. If
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about the sin virus. It invades, it spreads, and it kills. And we’ve all got it. Thankfully, there is a cure — and best of all, it’s free. I’ve been reading … how regular soap and water is the best preventative. So I’ll wash my hands — not because I’m scared, but because I care about other people. I’ve been hearing … the NBA is in lockdown after Rudy Gobert mocked the precautionary measures in place and then tested positive himself. Don’t mock what you don’t understand. I’ve been playing … Pandemic. To millions, i
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about the appeal of idols. As strange as it may seem to me, clearly people have always been drawn toward idol-worship. Let’s talk about why. I’ve been reading … Hawaii, by James Michener. Celebrating our culture is fine. But cultures are rarely found in complete harmony with God’s will. At some point, we have to make a choice. I’ve been hearing … “American Idol” is still on the air. We quit watching it years ago, mostly because the show celebrates everything that’s wrong with our society. I’ve been playing … Bora
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about how jealousy landed Daniel in the lion’s den. Have you ever been jealous enough to kill someone? And don’t be too quick to answer. I’ve been reading … more from The Daniel Dilemma. Satan wants us to adopt the name of his choosing instead of the name God gives us. It is critical that we just say no! I’ve been hearing … different theories about the Hanging Gardens. It’s amazing how the so-called wonders of the world come and go, but the word of the Lord endures forever. I’ve been playing … 7 Wonders, in which
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about the jealousy of Daniel’s subordinates, and how it landed him in the lion’s den. Have you ever been jealous enough to kill someone? And don’t be too quick to answer. I’ve been reading … The Daniel Dilemma, by Chris Hodges. One of the most powerful things Satan can do to defeat us is to adopt the name of his choosing instead of the name God gives us. Just say no! I’ve been hearing … different theories about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It’s amazing how the so-called wonders of the world come and go, but the
Register your feedback here. Always good to hear from you! I’ve been preaching … about predestination. It’s not a question of whether it is true; it’s a question of what it means and what it doesn’t mean. I’ve been reading … Atlantis Rising, by Clive Cussler. Some people just think they are better than everyone else. I wish they were all in novels, but they’re not. I’ve been hearing … Jeremiah 29:11 quoted out of context all my life. If you think God’s plan for your life is marrying the prom queen or getting through dental school, you are aiming way too low. I’ve been playing … Medici, a game