Richard Martin 

A few years ago, I listened to a sermon delivered by Dr. Sean H. McMilllan at the historic Alfred Street Baptist Church entitled "Bring Back the Wine." Dr. McMillan explores the implications of Jesus' first miracle, changing water into wine (John 2:1-12), in a dynamic and engaging manner. You will notice that his homiletical presentation carries prophetic echoes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Take a listen, and I hope you're blessed! #Pastor #Preaching #Reflection #God #faith

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety? If so, you are not alone. Feelings of uncertainty, uneasiness, worry, and fear come to us all. The Bible offers an antidote for anxiety: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7, NIV (check out this v

For a long time, I thought the word blogging sounded funny. I had no intentions of starting a blog or becoming a blogger. Then, I read a book by Rodlie Ortiz that changed my mind about the value in blogging (but, I still think the word sounds funny). The book is called "Why Every Leader Must Blog: 7 Reasons to Start Now and 11 Tips to Get Started." After downloading the e-book, I read it completely in one sitting. I wouldn't be surprised if you do the same. I believe you will

Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy, and wise. This statement emphasizes the benefits of proper rest. Adequate rest does wonders for your mind, body, and heart. Lack of rest can lead to irritability, irrationality, and even insanity. Ok, the last one may be a stretch, but sufficed to say sufficient sleep enhances the quality of life. While 6-8 hours of sleep will positively impact your life, what you do with the remaining 16-18 hours also matters. What do

John Maxwell’s Developing the Leader within You is a foundational resource for emerging leaders. As a new, young pastor, I found Maxwell’s leadership principles to be both intellectually stimulating and practically accessible, capable of serving as a framework for immediate application in my current, ecclesial context. Drawing from decades of leadership experience, coaching, and training, Maxwell distills 10 essential elements of a leader’s composition. First, Maxwell defines

Pastors serve people. People, by nature, are complex and full of intricacies. As an emerging leader and maturing pastor, I am learning to study people. In only 10 months of senior pastoring, I am delighted to announce that I have discovered the secret to straightening people out. This pearl of wisdom was hidden on pages 111-112 of John Maxwell's Developing the Leaders Around You. I'd like to share it with you. "The growth and development of people is the highest calling of le

I write a weekly devotional for my church which is inserted in our church bulletin. This week, I wanted to thank my church for their warm, thoughtful, and kind "Pastor's Appreciation" gifts. So, I used the "Pastor's Pen" to do so as well as request their prayers in 4 areas of my life. Here is what I wrote: "They tell me October is Pastor’s Appreciation Month. Many have taken time to share thoughtful gifts, cards, and other expressions of gratitude with Kylah and me. Thank you