Blog
As I look out at our small orchard of fig, cherry, apple, nectarine, and peach trees in our front yard, I can see the first buds of fruit forming. Each tree has a different process of maturation and fruit bearing. The first appearance of a coming harvest is now taking...
Years ago, on a flight from Los Angeles to Seattle, I had a window seat as we flew over the Pacific Northwest. As we crossed Springfield, Oregon, a place where our family once lived, I looked down and could see familiar landmarks—the streets, parks, shopping malls,...
A question surfaced in Paul’s writings: Who can be saved? I’ve heard several podcasts and interviews this year discussing Israel, her relationship with the Church, and her place in modern history. In one discussion on social media, there was a halting comment...
Over many years, I've told people to pursue Jesus if they want to know the truth about life. Reading yet another book or pursuing an advanced degree cannot produce the truth. Truth is only found in Jesus. He provides everything we need because He is the way, the...
Last night, Jan and I drove back home from Seattle. We went on a cruise to Alaska. This was a family retreat with Jan’s side of the family. It was a gift given to us by her family. All the siblings and their spouses were in attendance. Each day, the cruise ship...
For the next 10 days, Jan and I will be taking a break from our social media accounts. For us, this is a time to prepare for what the Lord is doing and be ready to enter the fall season with fresh understanding. To all of you in social media land, take care and be well.
Over the last several decades, Jan and I have done quite a bit of traveling. We have traveled to 50 nations in total. Most of our travel was for ministry assignments. During that level of travel, we learned something important about preparing to travel. We packed two...
The photos of our wedding day have faded over time, but not the love God has given to us. It increases with each passing day. Today, we celebrate 52 years as husband and wife. We didn’t get here by being perfect by any measure. We got this far by the spirit of...
When we read the Old Testament, we need to read it with an understanding of the completed work of Jesus. All the ancient Scriptures point to Jesus. These books have been given to us to appreciate the depths of Jesus' sacrifice. Without that understanding, our faith...
There are times when Scripture is read that people will interpret what was written as something quaint or poetic, but not something to actually believe and act on. Because God's word is active and alive, its impact should never be diminished. Honoring God's word by a...
A few minutes ago, the Lord gave me a word that was so impactful it affected me physically. He said, "I am bringing to you people you have been told to reject. This rejection includes those who have been brave enough to broadcast the rejected message. I am doing this...
All of God's judgments have within them an expression of His mercy. His mercy has a limit, not on God's ability to love sinful people, but on the extent and purpose of His judgment. People too easily think that God enjoys judging sin. Because of that misunderstanding,...
A coming revival in the Church will fill the Temples of God with His glory. In this covenant, the Temple represents our lives, not a physical structure. In the time of Haggai, the people had allowed God's Temple to go unfinished. This incomplete representation of the...
The prophecy from Zephaniah is only three chapters long, but it is a panoramic view of what happens to a nation that abandons the Lord. Though their days were dark and foreboding because of their disobedience, with God, there would be hope for their future if they...
Last night, I had an odd dream. I was standing in a field with a group of pastors. One of the pastors, a prominent leader in the Church, walked away in disgust when I mentioned the word “morality”. He said that teaching morality was a mistake as he walked away from us...