Blog
When I started in pastoral ministry many years ago, most of us wore jackets and ties to preach on Sunday morning. Some even wore suits. Recently, I looked at some old pictures of me from the early 1980s, and by the fashion standards of the day, I looked just fine....
As I was rummaging through a storage drawer, I found an old patch from my days as a cop. The patch was a recognition gift for the participants on our pistol team at the CHP Combat Match in Sacramento in 1975. That event was over 50 years ago. It wasn’t by...
Our lives, our words, and actions should interfere with hell’s agenda. Yet, all the trappings of religion are roadblocks to experiencing or demonstrating God’s power. It is easy to hide behind the prison bars of religion. We can meet for Bible study, prayer meeting,...
We can settle it in our hearts once and for all that God can be trusted—all the time. Each time we read about a promise fulfilled in Scripture, it was written to instruct us on how to live in hope and how to endure all things. The fulfillment of promises proves God’s...
Lord of the Fountain of Life, display your power, and we will be strong. Your miracles have made us who we are. Do It Again! Parade from your temple your mighty power (see Psalm 68:26-29). Like King David, we can ask God to do again in us, in our time, what He did in...
Wealth is a relative term. The zeros behind wealth do not determine its value; it’s the value we place on any amount. The Psalmist wrote: “If your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life” (Psalm 62:10). Scripture tells us: Listen, everyone—both rich...
When the Egyptian Pharaoh and his forces chased Israel, they determined to undo the work of salvation by bringing the Lord’s people back into slavery. It was a showdown over who had the right to be their master: a genocidal, enslaving king or their divine Lord who...
It is God’s mercy that we would be able to see the true condition of our hearts, no matter how hard. Even before we see clearly, we can invite Him to uproot any ungodly beliefs that inform our thoughts and result in ungodly actions. We can receive and actually begin...
In a heavenly courtroom setting, the Mighty Lord summons all peoples. He himself is the Judge, and He will judge with righteousness. In both the Old and New Testaments, the definitions of justice and righteousness are interchangeable. His judgment is the application...
Under the open heavens, on nights when the sky is clear, I look for the stars. With a sense of wonder and worship, I consider the Lord who created them. The beauty of creation gives us insight. It can reorder and right our thinking. The Psalmist wrote: For the word...
One of the most memorable sections of Scripture is Psalm 23 – The Shepherd’s Psalm. This one line impacts me in new ways. “He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name” (Psalm 23:3). Being guided along right paths has been a longtime prayer of...
God’s Word and His ways and His commands are perfect in every way—the revelation-light of His Word revives our souls, leads us to truth, and changes the simple into wise. His Word makes us joyful and radiates His light. His Word challenges us to keep close to His...
In the late 70s, my life had begun to break apart piece by piece. I had invited Jesus into my heart as a young boy and loved Him, but by the end of my first year in college, I did not follow Him. Deep within me, I still had a desire to love God, but my rebellion...
Who presumes the privilege of being close to the Lord—living next to Him in His shining place of glory? Who are those who daily dwell in the life of the Holy Spirit? Who will never be shaken—who will stand firm forever? King David answered that question in Psalm...
Jan and I have been listening to some rare, old, forgotten hymns called Appalachian Soul Hymns, and both our spirits and souls have been touched. We noticed so many of the words point to Heaven. While watering the garden at 6 am this morning, I heard these sounds...