Blog
The book of Judges is a study of human nature. It is also a study that will help us examine what is taking place in our world, our nation, and within the Church. A repeated theme in Judges is that people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. The same is proving...
Scripture tells us the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. These “all kinds of evil” are only discerned by revelation. That revelation is enhanced by diligent research where information that was suppressed, censored, or masked by diversion, is finally...
Labels are descriptions that we attach to our lives. They can define a function, a season, or the memory of a person. No label offers an all-inclusive definition of someone's life. I sat down and reviewed the various labels that have been attached to my life. ...
Our primary model for how to do anything is Jesus. He is our example for how to love. He is our model for leadership. And He is our method of evangelism. Whenever you need to find a way to do anything – go to Jesus first and find out how He did it. I...
Recently, I sent a private Facebook message to a friend of mine who leads an international ministry. My message was prophetic in nature and would seem somewhat cryptic to the casual reader. I trust this leader and knew he would be able to move past the nature of the...
Many people are crossing spiritual frontiers. People are leaving old seasons of life and entering new ones. It is important to understand what is taking place in these passages. One of the most profound crossings ever made was when the nation of Israel walked...
Last summer, I camped by the Salmon River for the first time. The riverbanks spread wide their stony shores, the August waters low. I drove shuttle for kayakers and practiced the art of waiting by water. After a few hours, the water begins to speak. Beneath...
Older preachers like me see the treadmills of passing ministry as foisted rides in some clergy amusement park. To roller coaster rides of success we were drawn the rising then the falling, stars on the upward climb the ticking, clacking sounds of...
One of the interesting things I have noticed in my years of public ministry are the different ways people can choose to see the life of a leader. On one hand, someone loves and respects you and says nice things, and on the other hand, someone else makes unkind...
When Moses died Joshua became the leader of the nation of Israel. Joshua made this leadership transition at a critical time in the nation’s history. Where before Joshua could rely on Moses, now he would carry the mantle alone. In Joshua 1:3-4, God said, “I...
Recently, I heard someone say how sad it was that some Christians were seeking an experience from God instead of focusing solely on Scripture. When I heard those words something didn’t set right with me. This morning, as I read through 2 Peter, I came...
My wife, Jan, received the following word during a recent worship service at Living Waters Church in Medford, Oregon. I wanted to post this for that person(s) who needed to hear the hope these words contain. "During the worship, I saw myself swimming in...
When we moved to Newport, Oregon in the 1980’s we were impressed with the beauty of the Oregon coastline. For 363 miles this coastline exposes a raw beauty that resembles Big Sur without the crowds. Thanks to the 1967 Oregon Beach Bill the entire length of...
We have all read the story in Exodus 17 about Moses on the mountaintop holding up his staff while Joshua and the troops were down in the valley fighting the Amalekites. If Moses held his staff up above his head the troops would win, but if he dropped his hands...
When I was a street cop, I remember vividly what it was like to get ready for duty each night. I would stand in front of my locker at the police station and change out of my street clothes into my police uniform. I remember wearing jump boots – the kind...