Blog
I have thought a lot about “finishing well” in this life. In the ‘80’s, a study was made of leaders across the board who finished well, both in the present day and in the Scriptures. Only 35 percent finished well. The definition of finishing well was determined by: 1)...
When Solomon became king, he had a dream encounter with the Lord (see 1 Kings 3:5-13). The Lord asked Solomon a question. “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon responds, “I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. Give me an...
Many years ago, when I was a student at Ministries Institute at Faith Center in Eugene, Oregon, I learned a valuable lesson about sermon preparation from my pastor, Roy Hicks, Jr. Roy was a profound teacher of God’s Word and Kingdom. Roy’s focus on Kingdom preaching...
Recently, I was reviewing my relationship with Jesus. As a young boy, I understood His message and accepted Him as my Savior. I can still sense the beauty of that young and innocent faith. It became and still is the anchor point of my belief. Maturity in our...
Abraham is our example and spiritual father, for he believed God could raise the dead and call into being things that didn't exist yet on Earth. Against all odds, even when it looked hopeless, he believed the promise. He took God at His word and expected Him to...
Each day, Jan and I take communion. We raise the cup of wine and receive fresh new mercies available through the Blood of Jesus. We confess our sins and receive His forgiveness. We forgive each other and anyone else who has offended us. His Blood is sprinkled on our...
The significance of setting aside a National Day of Prayer in our nation is far greater than we realize. As we pray, we quote II Chronicles 7:14, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked...
I had a very vivid dream. In the dream, Jan and I were meeting with a prominent public figure. As the meeting progressed, it was made known to me that this person was living in sexual bondage. His sin was not known to those who looked up to him, followed him, and...
For years, Jan and I have explored how to live from a place of rest. And every new season, transition, or challenge carries with it another cycle of training and a deeper commitment to learn how to enter God’s rest. We developed a short phrase to keep us on track:...
A couple of years ago, a friend of mine sent me a shofar from Israel made from a three-foot-long curling ram’s horn. I used to shy away from that instrument because I associated it with ancient Israel. Now, when I hear its sound and after learning a bit about how to...
Have friends or even family ever deserted you because of difficulties you faced while standing for the truth? They’ve been ashamed or embarrassed to be associated with you. And it cost you. If you have, you can allow Paul’s healing words to come alive in you and be a...
Paul wrote to Timothy, a young leader overseeing multiple churches in Asia Minor, instructing that in every place of worship, men and women should pray with hands lifted to God, with a pure heart, free from frustration, anger, and controversy (see 1 Timothy 2:8-9)....
Paul’s story is my story. I, too, was captured by incredible grace. My primary purpose is to be filled with God’s love. My prayer is that Jesus can use me as a pattern for others who would believe in Him for eternal life. Paul begins his letter to Timothy and...
We have seen three attempts on the life of President Trump, fueled by deranged thinking. It is not surprising that some mentally unstable person would be willing to attempt an assassination, believing the President is so evil that he deserves death. They see their...
One summer in our college years, Jan and I worked as lifeguards at different locations. We were trained how to approach a drowning person so they would not take us down with them. We were of no use to anyone if we didn’t personally train, practice, and prepare. Jan...