Blog
In a perfect world, a level playing field is where all parties have a chance for success without bias. While that can appear to be an admirable pursuit, when personal merit and integrity are removed and opportunities to succeed are forced upon us, the playing field is...
We've all had hidden sins in our lives at one time or another. For those who lead God’s people, unresolved sin has a greater consequence. It causes those who follow their lead to put their trust in a leader until a time when the leader’s sin is uncovered. This...
At this point in our history one of the greatest balancing acts of our spiritual integrity is being aware of what is happening in our world, yet not losing our hope. Hope in God can only be defined and tested in what appears to be a hopeless situation. That tension is...
As a young pastor, I once heard an older pastor say, "If something is public, deal with it publicly. If it is private, deal with it privately." That seasoned and wise leader was helping younger pastors learn how to deal with disruptions that can take place in a...
Living in Europe afforded me a unique opportunity to view my American life and culture through a variety of different perspectives. I remember one conversation when a man was bad-mouthing the United States. I don’t normally seek to correct people, but I...
For some of you the last season of your life has resembled Paul’s stormy passage at sea. You were aboard ship held captive because of the calling on your life. In route to a new season you encountered a storm that has put everything in jeopardy. Like the...
As a father in the faith, I find myself viewing the Church from that perspective. This kind of assignment slips up on you by mere time in rank and age. The realization I was a spiritual father first visited me about 10 years ago and has deepened its...
You are entering a strategic season. In this season your primary task will be to make sure you are properly aligned with the coming wind of the Spirit. This alignment will position you to move forward when the wind begins to blow. As a sailing vessel adjusts it's...
When Jan and I began dating in 1970, we were both students at what is known today as Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon. I was carrying 17 units at school and working full time at Elmer’s restaurant as a cook. I lived in a dirt floor basement of an...
As you journey through life you will hear people speak of human potential. Every human has natural potential, but this potential is not where the greatest breakthroughs occur because our human potential is limited by human intellect and ability. As you...
I don’t remember who first coined the phrase, “The Father, Son and the Holy Bible”, but when I heard those words I had to stop and think. My impression was that some people had elevated their understanding of scripture to a place where their interpretation was the...
There will be seasons in your life when the greatest evidence you are a leader is discovered when you turn around and realize no one is following, yet you keep moving forward toward a promise. These are seasons where some of your greatest tests will come because...
I live in Oregon where just yesterday we had five earthquakes off our coast. These earthquakes took place in a region near a major undersea subduction zone that if released will bring great devastation to the western states of America and beyond. Off our...
This morning, I was reading Acts 7 where Stephen reminded a group of religious leaders of their abandoned history. The actions of Stephen took courage, especially when the existing religious system in his day also controlled the cultural power base. In some faith...
When Peter stepped over the side of his boat and began to walk on water the side of the boat represented the line of separation between human logic and reasoning and Spirit-led wisdom and revelation. Jesus invited Peter to experience a miracle in the middle of the...