Blog
Just before His arrest, Jesus was giving final instructions to His disciples. He said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future” (John...
When we are struggling to hear God, the problem could be disobedience. In those times we need to ask ourselves a question. “Is there something the Lord asked me to do that I either neglected, refused, or out of fear, did not comply with His request? For many, this is...
I’ve noticed lately an uncomfortable reality that is becoming more prevalent. This reality has been created by the ease of social media that allows people to freely toss out unwise and unloving words without being held accountable for what they say. What typically...
Most of us walk around with labels attached to our lives. Some of these labels were attached to us by our parents others were attached in seasons of personal failure or by unresolved fears that currently inhabit our lives. We will live out the false...
In the center of the valley where I live is a midsize city – Medford, Oregon. We have a large shopping mall anchored by several national chain stores. Sprinkled across the valley are other malls where you can get most anything you would desire. The Rogue...
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...