Author Archives: Matthew Winters

Last week, I began watching and listening to sermons preached by Pastor Tony Evans. The one I have listened to for the last few days in segments (normally between visiting hospice patients and on the car ride home) is based on the story of Esther. If a believer can quote a verse from the bookContinue reading “For Such a Time as THAT”

Who are some of the first Christian leaders you remember? Many of you who are at least my age would probably say Billy Graham. The one who sticks out in my mind is Charles Stanley, a man who has remained true to his calling. Charles Stanley sticks out in my mind for many reasons. MyContinue reading “Unwavering to the Call”

On Sunday night, my wife gave birth to our newest addition in…our…home. That’s right! Inside our house. She did not want the hospital experience this time. I was torn up about the thought of it and was apprehensive until the baby came out. My wife had her crew present to soothe and coach. Worship musicContinue reading “My Natural Birthing Experience”

If you were to write a script for your life, what would it look like? Would it have conflict? Drama? Problems? Or would it be more like a fairy tale with the traditional “happily ever after” ending? To be completely honest with you, I would choose the fairy tale. If you know my story, youContinue reading “My Disasters and God’s Plans”

The month of August is historically a month of transition for me. My first August transition was bittersweet. It was in 2003 when I left Emmanuel Baptist Church in Hartsville, SC to step into the unknown, which would soon carry me to Southside Baptist Church in Hazlehurst, GA, where I would once again leave inContinue reading “The Month of August and God’s Grace in Transition”

You may be thinking, “Matthew, the answer is obvious. Of course, Jesus had a spine. He had a human body.” Others get where I am going with this. Have you ever heard someone being referred to as “spineless”? This means that they lack courage to say what needs to be said and take necessary action.Continue reading “Did Jesus Have a Spine?”

Each of us wants an easy life, right? I know those with my personality type do. If you’re like me, you don’t like conflict. You will even go as far as to avoid it at all costs. If you are that kind of person, I have no doubt you would jump at any opportunity toContinue reading “The Problem-Free Christian Life”

As I was growing up, the Christian circles I was in didn’t care much about cultural relevance. I attended a very conservative Christian school that was not cutting edge (this is just an opinion, but please know I value the school highly because it was where I surrendered my life to Christ and later toContinue reading “Following Christ and Thoughts on Cultural Relevance”

I would dare say that the vast majority of people in churches are critical of preaching, and their preferences are as numerous as the stars in the sky. Some want loud preaching while others want soft preaching. Some want long preaching while others prefer brief sermons. The stronger criticism I hear in conservative circles isContinue reading “Is “Feel-Good Preaching” Wrong?”

“Let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). The context of this verse tells us to avoid making hasty vows, especially to God. There is, however, some practical wisdom here. I’ll share it from my own personal experience. Hurt people HURT people. I wish I could say this didn’t apply to me, but it has. AContinue reading “Let Your Words Be Few”