Blog
Until we realize the completeness of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and what living in the New Covenant means, we will be motivated by a troubled conscience. That troubled conscience will cause us to think that making a personal sacrifice or offering another resolution...
Some efforts that began with good intentions have become infested by the termites of greed and corruption. Over time, the consuming power of greed and corruption so compromises the structure that it must be demolished to start over again and rebuild its purpose. We...
Each of us has been given the ability by the Lord to become a blessing to others. A bestowed blessing may be completely opposite of what a person is feeling or experiencing. The words of a blessing invade and, at times, contradict their assumptions. “The person who...
Today at 10:00 a.m. EST, the Supreme Court will begin hearing oral arguments for a case that could radically affect the status of abortion in our nation. The Court will hear oral arguments regarding a challenge to Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks. This...
Fear is the most powerful weapon in the arsenal of hell. If we can be convinced to live in fear, we will be prone to believe and follow anything that promises to alleviate our fear. Fear is birthed in a lie and morphs over time to become a variant of the original lie...
For the last week, I have seen several trophy-size blacktail bucks in our neighborhood. Their antlers are immense. They are the stuff of a hunter’s dream. Rarely are these deer seen except when they enter the rut and let their guard down in pursuit of a doe. They...
It was an unusual image that came to me while taking communion. I saw a large bird perched on a limb within a tree. The bird compressed its legs in preparation to launch at the same time unfurling its wings to catch the first lift of air. At the moment when it...
When I was a young boy, my father took our family to visit the ghost town of Bodie, California. Bodie, like many towns in the Old West of America, sprung up quickly and thrived until the ore vein that justified their existence played out. When that depletion took...
I transitioned from police work and became a pastor many years ago. Occasionally, I am asked a question. “Was it a hard transition to make?” I typically reply, “No. There are more similarities than differences.” Today, I might add a point of clarification to my answer...
I love Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. I also love what happens the day after Thanksgiving. The day after is when "The Sandwich" makes its yearly appearance. It has become a ritual for me. Slices of turkey breast, crisp bacon and Havarti cheese are placed...
There are times when we are asked by the Lord to move beyond what we are known for to engage a completely new life-assignment. It is easy to settle into a known reputation or long-held position thinking it is a forever assignment and fail to miss an opportunity for...
This is a time to simplify our faith. We can rely on things to support our faith that may not be there when a life crisis takes place. Reducing our faith to its simplest functional form allows it to move with us unhindered through the difficult seasons of life. It's...
I lived in Portland, Oregon during college. I met my wife in the city. In those days Portland was a stable and beautiful place. Few cities in America have such a beautiful skyline. In the last few years parts of Portland have descended into despair. The nation watches...
When it seems to be too quiet after a significant life event takes place, some will interpret that silence as peace. Silence is not evidence of true peace. It can mask reality and be used as a time of preparation for the next conflict hoping an adversary will let...
I woke up this morning seeing the image of an immense glacier changing its direction of travel. The image was given to inform me that a significant shift has taken place in the spiritual realm and that shift is now manifesting in the natural realm. Glaciers are...