Blog
There is more to a verse than just its opening line. Surrounding passages of Scripture give us a broader view of what the verse is addressing. Take the first part of Psalm 46:10, for example: “Be still and know that I am God.” The surrounding context...
In the small coastal town of Brookings, Oregon, not far from where Jan and I live, is a unique and impactful story of forgiveness from both sides of World War II. From a website called The Historian’s Den, I read the following: In September 1942, a lone Japanese...
When our kids were in grade school, we pastored a wonderful church on the Oregon Coast for several years. Coastal towns can be great places to live, and our family still looks back on those years with great warmth and affection. Shortly after we arrived in Newport, we...
In 1981, when Jan and I journeyed to Montana with our children to plant our first church, we had no idea what we were doing. We simply had a word from God and decided to act upon that word in faith....
I will never forget the days, many years ago now, when I turned back to God. In the remaining season of the Jesus Movement, Jan and I connected with a fellowship filled with people who loved God. I can remember the feeling of coming alive. I had a hunger to be taught...
When I look back over my youthful, immature, unwise choices, my old nature dominated my thinking and controlled my mind. I chose my own path, led by my plans, based on my desires. God addressed my foolish choices, just as He did Israel. He told the prophet: “I gave...
Needing “Just one more thing” is constantly advertised to us, like it was for those who were following Ponce de León in search of the Fountain of Youth. I am reminded of King Solomon’s writings: “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just...
A man I had come to know assumed the primary leadership role in a large international church organization. His appointment was a good fit and made sense. His respected life and ministry were well known across many denominations and church movements...
As young church planters, Jan and I knew very little about what it actually meant to plant a church. We had a calling and a measure of faith—and that was all. When we entered the ministry, few resources were available for church planting. I think our early...
If all the prophecies we hear and are willing to accept sound like a message of unicorns and rainbows without any warnings, we are not hearing the full counsel of God. His prophetic warnings are acts of love. His warnings will lead to the release of His mercy. His...
A month ago, I clearly heard the Lord give me direction that I did not expect. If I didn’t know the voice of the Lord, I might have questioned or resisted. However, I did ask Him to confirm what He spoke to me. I asked Him to tell Jan, my most trusted voice and...
Jeremiah gets a bad rap for being too tough on sin. He speaks with clarity about the oppressive consequences of sin, yet also about God’s mercy. Jeremiah wrote in the book of Lamentations, “Her oppressors have become her masters” (Lamentations 1:5). He described...
The early church faced the same issues and schisms over false teachings that we face today. Fragile churches are left damaged and heartbroken. The Apostle John wrote his letters to bring the church back to clarity of faith and unity. He writes that the whole...
Make a place for wonder and mystery to always be present in your life and ministry. If you pastor a church, grow a family, or develop a business plan, there will be times when you find yourself falling into ruts of predictability. When you realize you have slipped...
Our global civilization is in an epoch cycle of change. This cycle of change will test the things we know and believe. Human solutions will fail with ever-increasing frequency because earthbound realities will not meet the needs of desperate people living in desperate...