What does the Spirit say to you? Does everything you know about Christ and the Christian life come from your pastor, your favorite Christian author, your small group leader?  Teachers are important! The counsel of our Christian community is of… Continue reading

Hard Preaching Chris was only half-kidding when he said, “Pastor,  you were like Jonathan Edwards, dangling us over the pit of Hell.” The comment caused me to reflect on the sermon I had preached. I thought to myself,  “If only I… Continue reading

Anticipation While watching portions of the Republican convention this week, I heard promises, a lot of promises.  “If you elect our candidates, they will make your life better.”  I was not born yesterday!  I’m not overly impressed by a politician’s… Continue reading

How vision effects this day Costa, the trainer who is tasked with bringing me to fitness, faces a real challenge; and so do I!  As he coached me through my session yesterday, he kept reminding me that change is incremental,… Continue reading

Through the eyes of the new convert So, at Noon yesterday I walked into a ‘temple’ that was very strange to me. It had its own vibe, smells, sounds, and rituals. I went to the gym! When I entered, I felt… Continue reading

Even a pickle glows Speaking of the high calling of Christ, the Bible asks: “who is equal to such a task?” (2 Cor. 2:16)  Living the Christian life with integrity, in a way that causes others to desire Him, is… Continue reading

The build-up begins. Anticipation builds. It’s going to be the most awesome vacation ever. Then, the week arrives and we’re exhausted, the flights are delayed, and the weather is terrible. What then? Disappointment! We all know the feelings that come… Continue reading

I closed my day with a prayer that reflected weariness and some discouragement, too. “Father, I find the passion for my work fading. My vision is clouded. I am ready to walk away from tough situations. Strengthen me so that… Continue reading

The Lord will roar I love old those old movie Westerns, the ones where the good guys wear white hats, ones in which good triumphs, the nice guy gets the girl. There’s no moral ambiguity in those old films. Everybody… Continue reading

Responsibly Dependent Even as a toddler, my daughter was fiercely independent. She always wanted to ‘do this myself!’ She was an interesting teenager, not a rebel, but always ready to push the limits of parental authority. It’s different now. She… Continue reading