Blog

This Sunday, I will need to delve into a subject that will be uncomfortable for some within a public setting. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, the Apostle Paul addresses the topic of sexuality among the Thessalonian believers. And since I am under obligation to preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), I cannot avoid these particular verses just because they may cause discomf...

Congratulations Class of 2017! "It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:9-11 Let us rejoice with the follo...

A friend sent me this article from Tim Challies this week. I don't think I could have said this any better. It reminds us that Church is not always about us. https://www.challies.com/articles/the-worst-consequence-of-skipping-church#.WQCclOzMJKM.email...

Our retreat this weekend for our students is at Camp To Know Him in Pisgah, AL. The camp has miles of wooded trails, amazing rock formations, and incredible views of the Tennessee River. It has been a great place for the past 5 years of unifing our group of students through the shared experiences of hiking, repelling, and team-building activities. But more than anything, t...

In addition to inviting a friend to our service this Sunday, a great way to prepare for our service is to contemplate the events of Holy Week in the life of Jesus. Crossway has put together some wonderful videos with Justin Taylor describing each day of that week. I encourage you to watch each one and be gratified in our Savior as Sunday approaches. It will prepare your he...

I must admit, I have been surprised by the positive response to this past Sunday's sermon on 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20. I even had a friend who lives in Missouri get in touch with me to tell me that he really needed to hear that message. I think your response communicates to me that too often we are absorbed into negative self-reflection. It is true that we should be 'sin de...

What Pastor Blair Has Been Reading (from January 2017 through March 2017) Asmus, Barry Wayne Grudem. Poverty of Nations: A Sustainable Solution. Crossway,2013. Economist Barry Asmus and theologian Wayne Grudem have proposed a solution to helping nations rise out of impoverished economic conditions. They argue for a free market system using Biblical principles and sugges...

A new quarter is about to begin in Sunday School. Our new classes start on April 2, but we need you to sign up this weekend so that we can assign classroom space and order the correct number of materials. But as your pastor, let me request, beg and plead that you attend Sunday School. We have such a special privilege to be blessed with so many gifted teachers. We also have...

This past Sunday, I spoke about Paul's desire to be faithful in holiness while ministering in Thessalonica. As they watched him work his 'day' job, they witnessed a difference to the way he lived compared to the way others lived. By working hard at his trade and treating others fairly, Paul would be demonstrating a dependence on the word of God (as he practiced obedience t...

Sunday was an incredible day of worship. We literally got to see God's kingdom expand as we installed Jim Carter as a new elder at Providence and we commissioned our first deacons, Roger Fries and Andrew Hanks. What a powerful picture to see every member of Providence commissioning these men. As we were reminded on Sunday, don't let this be the only time we pray for our l...