Blog
When Israel realized the Assyrian army was about to overcome their nation, it was a desperate time. Fear and uncertainty were overcoming the hearts of the people. At that time, Isaiah offered the people an invitation, “Search the book of the Lord and see what he will...
As I read through the book of Isaiah, blessings are surrounded by warnings for the continuance of people’s sins. They are buried within the text. God's blessings require engagement on His terms to receive the blessing. This isn't an Old Testament thing we can ignore....
I have noticed a trend among some believers. They are attempting to change the nature of God. Some of the motivation behind this change comes from reading difficult sections of Scripture and assuming there is no deeper understanding behind the challenging facts being...
When people stand in your way their arms crossed in disagreement in an attempt to block your way forward demonstrating their opposition to the new direction you have taken simply turn your shoulders sideways and slip through. Don’t let the opinion of other people hold...
Judgment needs to be disciplined or it will end up directing the course of our lives toward negative outcomes. Many times the thought of a person I do not agree with or have a strained relationship with will cross my mind. With that thought comes a lure of...
The first kiss came in an unscripted moment, a spontaneous expression, a breathless surprise. They tested the waters that day deciding to cast off lines of doubt and fear, setting sail together into the unexplored depths of trust. That single kiss became chapter one...
As a young rookie cop, my Field Training Officer (FTO) taught me a lot about life and police work. During one very slow graveyard shift, we were parked along a lonesome stretch of highway when a car drove by with one of its taillights out. My FTO said, “Let’s check...
Each time I pass by JanI make sure to touch her. It may be a loving pat, a hug or simply making sure to brush up against her in passing. I do this because I want her to know I have an enduring passion to be with her. Jesus does the same with each of us. He is...
As a teenager growing up in the 1960’s, I remember the great folk-rock classics of that era. I can still sing many of those songs from memory. One song that always created an emotional response in me was written by Stephen Stills and performed by Buffalo Springfield....
One of the things I enjoy about this season of my life is seeing younger leaders rise up and step into new and previously unexplored places where our faith can find expression. When I use the word “younger”, I do not mean younger as in inexperienced. It simply...
When Jan and I lived in Europe we traveled by car when air and rail travel was not an option. Driving across the Alps and entering a tunnel that is several miles long was a very strange and unnerving experience. Most of the tunnels in the United States are short – you...
When I was 13-years old, my buddy and I had a bright idea. On the back of his family property was an old cave. One day, we thought we would explore its interior. We got some tree branches and wrapped them in old bed sheets and dipped them in gas. Our plan was to walk...
My wife, Jan, said something if understood and lived out would offer us tremendous freedom and peace of mind. Jan said, “We are only promised this moment and eternity”. Understanding the reality of that simple statement would remove much of the fear and angst we carry...
Over the years, I have had unusual dreams. I once had a dream where I was speaking fluent German and understood each word of a two-way conversation. In another dream, I was flying a high-performance military jet aircraft completely comfortable and confident performing...
In the small town where I live there are several very good restaurants. One of those restaurants has an Italian name and serves continental cuisine. In the middle of the morning when the chefs are prepping for the day they begin to melt butter and sauté garlic....