When life goes in a direction I did not anticipate, I remember the words of Robert Burns, the 18th century Scottish poet, who wrote “The best laid schemes o’ mice and men Gang aft a-gley, (go oft awry) And leaves… Continue reading

I recently listened to a preacher declare to his congregation – “Everything in your life, the good, the bad, the hurtful, when others do wrong to you … comes straight from the hand of God so accept it as part… Continue reading

In his book, The Life God Blesses, Gordon MacDonald tells about a visit with his grandfather in a nursing home. Time had dulled the keen edge of the old man’s mind. After attempting conversations with his grandfather, who had served… Continue reading

A small group of Christian friends gathered and as we usually do, we made a list of our concerns for prayer. This week the list was long, evidence of the ways that we encounter sin and suffering in our world.… Continue reading

Yesterday around 10 am my office phone brought a call from a pastor I knew 40 years ago.  “Jerry, I just wanted to thank you.” His appreciation for ministry that I do was authentic and heart-felt. It was encouraging. Among… Continue reading

Struggle is the common experience of humanity.  Even on our best days we know that we are a phone call away from tears, a slip away from pain, one breath from death. How then can we live with the peace… Continue reading

“And so Esau despised his birthright.”  The story intrigued me as I read it this morning. Twin boys were born to Isaac and Rebekah; Esau and Jacob. Esau, as the firstborn, had the promise and privilege of becoming head of… Continue reading

It’s Monday after Easter and my heart is full of joy. The song echoes in my mind of the Mystery of our Lord. “Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again… Celebrate His death and rising… Lift your… Continue reading

Right in the middle of the earthshaking drama of Holy Week, while Jesus is moving toward His amazing work on the Cross, there is Peter’s story. The blustery leader of the disciples is swept up in the emotions at the… Continue reading

One of the most precious memories of my late wife are her prayers for me! How many times in the night, when I awakened in a struggle with some issue in ministry, she would put her hand on my forehead… Continue reading