Author: Rev. David Gray

You know what drives me crazy? Watching good people stay stuck in patterns that are slowly destroying their lives. I’m talking about the guy who knows he drinks too much but can’t seem to stop. The woman who promises herself she’ll quit smoking “tomorrow” for the hundredth time. The person who keeps checking their phone every five minutes even though they hate being addicted to social media. Here’s the truth: breaking bad habits isn’t about willpower. If it was, we’d all be perfect by now, right? After forty years of ministry and raising ten kids, I’ve learned something important -…

You know, sometimes I think about what one simple idea can do when God gets hold of it. Take Robert Raikes – here was a newspaper publisher from Gloucester who had one of those “lightbulb moments” that revolutionized Christian education forever. But before we dive into his famous Sunday Schools, let me tell you about the man himself – his family, his struggles, and what drove him to change the world for children. The Personal Life of Robert Raikes Early Years and Family Background Robert Raikes was born on September 14, 1735, in Gloucester, England, at Ladybellegate House in Longsmith…

Introduction Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus – known simply as Tertullian – was one of the most brilliant and controversial figures in early Christianity. As a fiery lawyer-turned-theologian from North Africa, he gave us the term “Trinity,” defended the faith against heretics, and wrote with a passion that still resonates nearly 2,000 years later. However, what makes Tertullian fascinating is his complexity: he wasn’t a safe, predictable church father. Instead, he was bold, uncompromising, sometimes extreme, and eventually broke away from the mainstream church. Despite this, his influence on Christian theology remains undeniable and continues to this day. If you’ve ever…

Introduction Most people know “The 12 Days of Christmas” as a fun, repetitive carol about partridges, turtle doves, and lords a-leaping. But did you know this beloved Christmas song has deep Christian roots and was possibly used to teach biblical truths during times of persecution? The Gospel version makes the Christian symbolism explicit, turning what seems like a silly counting song into a powerful declaration of faith. Whether you’re singing this with your family, your church, or just learning it for the first time, understanding the meaning behind each gift adds rich spiritual depth to this Christmas tradition. History and…

On September 10, 2025, the unthinkable happened. Charlie Kirk, 31-year-old conservative Christian activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University. Moreover, a single shot to the neck ended the life of one of America’s most prominent Christian voices. Subsequently, the nation watched in horror as the reality sank in: persecution isn’t just “over there” anymore—it’s here, in the West, and it’s escalating. Furthermore, Kirk’s murder represents just the tip of the iceberg. Indeed, Christians across Western nations—America, UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia—face unprecedented levels of hostility, violence, and systematic persecution. Additionally, while mainstream…

Brothers and sisters, we need to talk about something the mainstream media often ignores: Christians are being persecuted worldwide at unprecedented levels. Furthermore, this isn’t just happening in far-off countries we can’t pronounce—it’s escalating rapidly across multiple continents. As I write this, believers in over 70 countries face imprisonment, torture, and death simply for following Jesus Christ. Moreover, hundreds of millions of Christians live under severe restrictions on their faith. Consequently, many worship in secret, hide their Bibles, and risk everything to gather in Jesus’ name. Now, before you think this is just another depressing news article, let me tell…

Introduction I need to tell you something that might make you uncomfortable: you can love Jesus, love ministry, and still burn out. In fact, the very qualities that make you a good pastor—compassion, availability, dedication, selflessness—are the same qualities that can drive you into the ground if you’re not careful. I’ve watched too many gifted pastors flame out. Good men and women who started strong, passionate, full of vision—and ended up broken, cynical, and walking away from ministry altogether. Some left the pastorate. Some left their marriages. A few even left their faith. Here’s the hard truth: ministry will take…

Introduction Let me shoot straight with you, pastor: you’re exhausted. Between hospital visits, counseling sessions, administrative meetings, family responsibilities, and trying to have some semblance of a personal life, sermon preparation often gets squeezed into whatever time is left. Which is usually not much. I’ve been there. After over 40 years of preaching—starting at age 15—I’ve prepared sermons in every circumstance imaginable. In coffee shops at 6am. On airplanes. In hospital waiting rooms. Even once in my car in a parking lot 30 minutes before the service (not recommended, by the way). Here’s what I’ve learned: you don’t need 20…

Introduction Let me tell you something I’ve learned in over 40 years of ministry and raising 10 children (yes, you read that right—TEN!): life doesn’t always feel like a Sunday morning worship service. Sometimes it feels more like Monday morning traffic—frustrating, slow-moving, and you’re not sure you’ll ever get where you’re going. But here’s the beautiful mystery I’ve discovered: worship isn’t just for the mountaintop moments. In fact, some of the most powerful worship happens in the valley. When you’re going through the hardest season of your life and you choose to lift your voice in praise anyway—that’s when breakthrough…

Introduction Worship isn’t confined to Sunday morning services or musical performances. True biblical worship is a lifestyle—a daily, moment-by-moment response to God’s goodness, presence, and love. If you’ve ever wondered how to worship God daily beyond singing songs at church, this comprehensive guide will show you practical, life-changing ways to make worship the foundation of your everyday life. Romans 12:1 calls us to this kind of worship: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” What Does…