Do you ever worry?  Of course you do. We all do. Anxiety is the common cold of American mental health.  The constant stream of negative news creates a sense of doom for far too many. To hear some talk… Continue reading

When I read of the tragic death of the Chris Cornell, of Soundgarden fame, who took his own life last week after a life-long struggle with depression, I was deeply and humbly thankful for the message I have believed, one that… Continue reading

The little girl pointed out her watercolor painting to me. The effort will not ever hang in a national gallery, I’m sure, but it was her work. A person who believes that she is a person of worth will almost… Continue reading

“I believe, Pastor, I really do.”  I knew what the person meant. He had this idea about God and liked to think about Him when things were feeling out of control. But, real faith?  Every choice the man made, just… Continue reading

“Dad, you sound really tired,” Chrissie said. “Why?”  Her observation was accurate. A combination of things: leadership challenges, concern for various members of the congregation, not sleeping very well for a few nights, internal battles …  just ordinary stuff of… Continue reading

I am thankful for the gift of healing. Several times in my life I have experienced God’s intervention to restore wholeness- a few times instantly, many times by the amazing restorative processes He built into my body, and often because… Continue reading

The story that spilled out in the confession was not pretty. There were sins, regrettable choices, human failures, and disappointments. After telling it, the person asked, “Can I come back to this church?” The question hurt! What a misunderstanding of… Continue reading

As the young woman drove her car into the bay in the shop where I was getting the Jeep’s oil changed last week, its engine tapped noisily. The man working on my car looked up and said, “Oh no, that… Continue reading

  “Do you believe that ‘once saved, always saved’ is true?” he asked me. Obviously the man was looking for an argument, his mind already mind up.  I smiled because like most clichés it was true on the surface but… Continue reading

Being a pastor is a joyful calling for me … most of the time.  It is a privilege to lead a congregation, to love people, to be there for others in times of need.  Then there are those weeks when… Continue reading