Blog
It was almost 50 years ago when I heard my pastor, Roy Hicks, Jr., say a phrase in one of his sermons. He said we should learn how to live this life “contending with contentment.” Those three words became one of the badges of my faith that I have carried with me over...
I remember when Jan and I drove through the modern city of Philippi, Greece. It was not the ancient city depicted in Scripture. I had to pause for a moment and remember it was a modern city to the people of the day when Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians. What...
When discussing a husband-wife relationship, we can fail to understand the full context of Paul's writing regarding what it means to have a healthy marriage. Some will quote Paul commanding that a wife must submit without question to their husband. They have this...
For the last few months, I have been considering the nature of prophetic words. Many believers have thought New Testament prophecy was somehow different than the prophetic words of the Old Testament. The same Lord spoke those words. His heart did not change between...
Some of us could live to see the rise of a State Church in the United States. The previous sentence could sound alarmist to those who have not studied Church history under repressive regimes. Only Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. All else...
In our current cultural climate, the thought of God doing profound miracles to supernaturally turn around a nation seems like folly to some – even believers who hold great respect for God’s Word, but no longer think miracles, signs, and wonders are the way forward,...
Lies have been offered to the Church so well-crafted they sound like the truth to those who have allowed these offerings to replace biblical authority. Messages are being preached to unsuspecting congregations who now consider these erred opinions as an acceptable...
Before our culture went into lockdown, the Lord asked Jan and me to step into a season of extended solitary sabbatical. God was resetting our mission for the coming season. When the lockdown took place, it had little effect on us since we were already in a time of...
I always thought a squirrel was a squirrel. I was uninformed about the variety of squirrel species until I was invited last week to go on what could best be described as a squirrel safari. I packed up my .22 bolt action rifle and joined some friends, each with far...
As we begin to emerge from this pandemic season where a significant dismantling of ministries has taken place, God will not reconstruct our broken concepts about His Kingdom or our preferred models of ministry that led us to this challenging place. He has something...
Rank-and-file followers of Jesus who do not possess a significant ministry platform have been engaged in decisive battles in the spiritual realm. These believers have proven themselves as faithful warriors of prayer and faith. Their coming recognition will be similar...
An echo can travel for miles through steep mountain canyons. The sound of an echo bounces off hard rock mountain walls and continues to be deflected until there are no longer any hard surfaces to deflect its sound waves. An echo will end its course of travel when it...
This morning, I came across a verse that carried a serious challenge. Paul wrote “So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded” (I Thessalonians 5:6). This admonishment to stay spiritually awake and clearheaded applies to our...
Be careful making premature proclamations of judgment about people without understanding their process. Not everyone arrives at the same realization at the same time. Perhaps one of the greatest gifts we can give to those with whom we disagree is the benefit of the...
Each morning, I take my dog outside while it’s still dark for a walk around the yard. As I passed by a window that provides a view into our living room, I stopped to look inside. In the softly lit window frame, I could see my lamp, computer, and writing chair. This is...