Blog
When the hope of an accomplishment, an unusual opportunity, or the promise of personal notoriety is offered to us, it’s too easy to place ourselves under a yoke of compromise with individuals, groups, or worldviews that are contrary to our calling as a child of God....
Battlefield commissions are being issued on the field of spiritual warfare that will create new ranks of leadership within the Church. In the military, a battlefield commission is awarded to enlisted soldiers who are promoted to commissioned officer rank for...
While all forms of sin will separate us from God, when it comes to sexual sin, there is a difference. Paul wrote, “Run away from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does” (I Corinthians 6:18). The next time someone tells you that sexual...
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...
A few Easters ago, I did something I had never done before – I did not focus my teaching on the cross or the tomb. Please don’t misunderstand me, I did speak about these two profound events, but I went further and preached about the destination of these Easter...
I remember the first time I heard a concept that I knew was a leadership principle. At the time I was in my 20’s and studying for the ministry. A wise leader said the Church is like a pendulum – it is constantly swinging back and forth to find a place of balance. As...