Blog
“The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’” (Matthew 1:23). Immanuel is a word used frequently during Christmas. His presence is larger than a theological concept or definition. It...
I remember the first time I heard a car backfire. The loud and piercing sound broke through the normal sounds of life and got my attention. The backfire was the sound of something coming to life. No matter the depths of evil being planned and expressed in our world,...
After a recent windstorm, I was hiking along a familiar trail past where a prominent old dead tree once stood. I’ve passed by that old tree for years. Under the wind's influence, the tree was sheared off, causing the tree to fall. When I saw the fallen tree, the Lord...
Last night, Jan and I watched a movie that was different from our typical fare of drama, action, and intrigue. It was a western. At first, I thought it might be too corny to endure, but it grew on us as the minutes rolled on. The theme of the movie was redemption,...
Recently, someone asked me for advice on how, as a follower of Jesus Christ, they could wisely navigate the emotional terrain of the upcoming presidential election cycle. The person asking was sick and tired of the games both sides were playing as displayed on the...
Many are feeling overwhelmed and confused with the flood of “evidence” that supports opposing positions and opinions. The Lord is bringing clarification that will reveal what is true and what is a lie. At first, the evidence of Heaven will appear small and...
Some of you find yourself standing in a lonely place. You are in that place because you heard a word from the Lord and walked into its revelation. That act of obedience has moved you in a new direction, not of your choosing. Previously, you followed...
“In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6). The spirit of rebellion manifesting in our nation has arrived and displayed its presence because many have become their own lords, believer, and...
Satan is described in the Book of Revelation as an accuser. He makes accusations based on false evidence. He is afoot today in ways that seem credible until you pry back the layers of deception and discover the hidden truth. Be careful before you toss out an...
Your attempt to process what is taking place in the world has been a dizzying experience. Life has been spinning with increasing velocity. It has been a challenge as you tried to hold on to the sense of stability you enjoyed within the familiar orbit of the...
I remember the day when I found a word that accurately defined reformation. The word is "flourish." It is a word used by a group of men and women who had invited Jan and me to join them in a strategy session unpacking the subject of cultural reformation. We discussed...
There has been only one principle that Jan and I followed when needing to discover our next step in life. That principle has been to follow the Lord at all costs. We had a few times when we stumbled, but when we finally stepped out in faith, that single principle has...
Evil, like water, will find seek the course of least resistance. In my state of residence, Oregon, evil manifestations of a spirit of rebellion, have found that place of least resistance in some of our cities. Evil will continue to manifest if not challenged. It has...
One of the challenges each generation of the Church will encounter is the introduction of social grit into their expression of faith. Social grit is made up of the different perspectives offered by other people that affords us an opportunity to see the same issues of...
Opinions have been shared that have tested the integrity of longtime relationships, so much that a distance now exists between friends. It would be a sad thing, if, in this season of social intensity, a differing opinion would be given permission to create division,...