Author: Ronnie Batchelor (Ronnie Batchelor)

When pain is the freshest, words should be the fewest. I forget where I first heard that and who to credit, but when it comes to walking with suffering people, I’d say it’s a pretty good rule of thumb. We’ve taken a few weeks to open a discussion on that topic — how can we...

We’ve been taking a few weeks to open a discussion regarding how to care for those who suffer. The language that we’re using is specific and intentional. We are opening (not exhausting) this discussion. There is, no doubt, much more that could be said (and probably should be said) on things like the ministry of...

Among the worthy goals of a church that aspires to be healthy is a climate where suffering people are well cared for. It’s not the only goal, but it mustn’t be minimized among a people who are to be known by their love (John 13:35). We’re taking a few weeks to discuss what that might...

In the last note, I suggested that most of us live in fairly close proximity to someone in the midst of (or on the cusp of) deep sadness – a neighbor, colleague, spouse, child, etc. My concern was that we might move around in a community of folks who need help, yet miss those needs...

I wonder – how recent was your last encounter with a person in tears? (For the sake of this example, let’s not count crying toddlers, reluctant students returning to school or fans reflecting on the last 20 years of UT football). I’m wondering how far back you would have to rewind until you come to...

Every Christian understands the sting of regret that comes when we’ve sinned against our Father. Contrition is one of the less-celebrated mercies of God, but it is mercy nonetheless. To sin with a sense of impunity is no good. On the contrary, it is a frightening prospect. We don’t want to be released to sin...

My paternal grandmother, a native of Coffee County, Alabama, held some interesting superstitions. For instance, she held that if someone swept under your feet when you were sitting down, that meant that you would never marry. She was sure that if the cows were laying down in the field, the fish wouldn’t bite. When picking...

Were I to ask you to list all the things in your life about which you are 100% sure, I’d expect that to be a fairly short list. Somewhat sure is not the same as quite sure and quite sure is not the same as entirely sure. There are, I suspect, a handful of things about which we have absolute confidence. I hope...

For several weeks, we’ve been reflecting on the 23rd Psalm and have seen how David uses two images to illustrate God’s care: shepherd (1-4) and host (5-6). Today, we consider the third of four hospitable acts. We’ve seen the well-set table and the welcome expressed in fragrant oils. Now, we hear David’s grateful testimony to...

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how our ever-expanding, always-deficient knowledge of the gospel is like exploring a vast estate. Picture the expansive acreage at Biltmore or the sprawling Blenheim Place in Oxfordshire or the fictional Downton Abbey. Imagine further that this has now become your inheritance by virtue of your adoption. Now, consider roaming the...