Ten chaplains who completed the Chaplain Academy about four years ago are still helping the Victoria Police Department even though the pace has slowed with the pandemic.

To say that 2020 has been challenging is an understatement. In fact, I would imagine that many of you are like me, and just want to ban the word “unprecedented” from all use from here on out. We’re left questioning what else could go wrong because it feels like everything that could, has alr…

I once heard about a Christian barber who had recently learned about evangelizing. Wanting to do his part, he decided to start witnessing to his clients one by one. His nerves hit that first morning driving to his shop, but he quickly convinced himself it would be worth it.

Only 83 more days left and the year 2020 will finally be over. Many people find themselves asking, “What else could go wrong?”

“But he doesn’t deserve to be forgiven,” she cried, as tears rolled down her face.

Editor’s note: On Dec. 28, 2018, Elaine crossed over to that Eternal Shore and her family, friends and readers are missing her. The Advocate is reprinting Elaine’s articles.

As a young pastor, I had the privilege of having lunch with Pastor Jack Hayford. He was one of America’s most prominent pastors and spiritual leaders. Pastor Jack retired in 2000 from a large church in Van Nuys, California.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”– I Thessalonians 6:16-18

Growing up, there was a joint effort of church, home and family, school and community reinforcing a set of values—hard work, respect of others and their property, honesty, even the importance of faith to name a few. But things don’t work like they used to. The culture has changed. And we wit…

Beginning in 2010, NBC working together with ancestry.com, began producing a TV show called, “Who Do You Think You Are?” Based on the British show of the same name, each episode focuses on a celebrity who, together with genealogy experts, traces his or her ancestry as far back as they can go.

I was 15 years old when my dad had his first heart attack. It was one they call the widow maker. Thankfully he survived and regained his health over time. My mom played a big part in that. She heeded the doctor’s advice and helped my dad make the adjustments needed. My dad walked every day, …

Annually on the first Sunday in October, pro-life supporters celebrate National Life Chain Sunday.

There are people who live in the “signs and wonders” movement. They look for signs to make themselves believe. Signs and wonders are never a guaranteed cure for unbelief.

Editor’s note: On Dec. 28, 2018, Elaine crossed over to that Eternal Shore and her family, friends and readers are missing her. The Advocate is reprinting Elaine’s articles.

Forgive and forget, or so the saying goes.

It’s been said that “a Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to a person that isn’t.” I have found that to be true. That’s why, years ago, I developed the habit of daily Bible reading. I’ve owned several Bibles that I’ve studied and preached from over the last 40 years. They’re not all …

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and on…

After a long, painstaking hiatus, most schools in our country have once again opened their doors. Our children and young people are going back to school.

In my late 20s, I worked for my father-in-law, John Osteen. He was a man who had been in ministry for more than 60 years and experienced a lot.

In different times, we must live in different ways. This was a recurring thought as I recently taught through the book of Numbers. Numbers is one of the books that oftentimes gets overlooked by Christians, but it shouldn’t be. Here’s why.

When I was in the seminary, one of my favorite classes was church history. Our history professor had a wonderfully quirky sense of humor.

Editor’s note: On Dec. 28, 2018, Elaine crossed over to that Eternal Shore and her family, friends and readers are missing her. The Advocate is reprinting Elaine’s articles.

We all have defining moments in life. Maybe it was the day we were married or had our first baby. Maybe it was when we received that long-awaited promotion. Or, perhaps, the day we retired or held the hand of a parent as they retired from Earth into eternity. Defining moments make clear the …

We are entering a busy season of our lives, and we will easily get carried away in the frantic schedule of back-to-school, of the coming elections (God, have mercy), and before we know it, we’ll be in the holiday craze. And to add to the regular chaos, we get to figure out how to do this in …

What do you think of when you hear the phrase: “The peace of God”?

One of the most prominent characteristics of God that immediately comes to the mind of most people is His power. Nuclear weapons, laser beams, superheroes with superpowers... We’re bombarded with images of power through literature and media. But all of those images, and all of the potential …

Though you’ve probably never heard of her, Clara Maass was a true American hero. Born in 1876, in East Orange, New Jersey, Maass was the daughter of poor German immigrants, the oldest of nine children in a devout Lutheran family.

Most of us have heard of the 12 disciples or followers of Jesus. They’re introduced to us in the four gospels. We quickly learn that these men probably wouldn’t be considered for the “Who’s Who” list of their day. They weren’t the most talented, religious, educated or even well-known guys. T…

Victoria Christian Assistance Ministry and other nonprofit organizations have seen a decrease in volunteerism since the pandemic hit.

When I was in my early 30s, I flew to a developing nation to minister to a group of pastors in that region. My hotel was in the capital city, which was big and busy. They had just recently put stoplights at the intersection near where my hotel was.

It was a stressful morning. This last week, we held the funeral for one of the oldest and most respected members of our congregation. I painstakingly planned how we would maintain the proper social distancing. Our ushers were instructed to not let people congregate in the church entryway. Ma…

Editor’s note: On Dec. 28, 2018, Elaine crossed over to that Eternal Shore and her family, friends and readers are missing her. The Advocate is reprinting Elaine’s articles.

These are trying and stressful times. We have the pandemic along with the pandemonium and its violence across the nation. I’ve heard, “Pastor, I don’t think I can handle one more thing.” Like a forest fire, hurricane, flooding or earthquake? And we have a national election coming up that’s l…

In his dialogues with the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, a guy name Phaedrus supposedly said, “Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden.”

It was an unforgettable scene for those who watched the 1968 Summer Olympics. John Stephen Ahkwari represented his country, Tanzania, in the marathon event.

I’ve heard it said, “There are no great testimonies without great tests.” And 40-plus years of devoted Christian living has proven to me — that is definitely true.

Christopher Columbus, Henry the Navigator, Vasco de Gama, Ferdinand Magellan, Ponce de Leon – they all have one thing in common. They were explorers during the Age of Discovery. They sailed uncharted waters. They faced the open sea not knowing what laid ahead.

We are in a mess today, we are in the middle of a pandemic. Actually, we are facing dual pandemics: a medical pandemic and a cultural pandemic. Yet, deeper still and at the root of both of these, is a spiritual pandemic.

After a long week of work and worry, the weekend always feels good. From the time I was little, I loved Saturdays. You get to sleep in. You get to watch cartoons. You get to rest.