Blog
I love to find profound verses tucked away in obscure biblical narratives that cut to the chase of our faith. That is one reason I read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Those verses are gems of truth and words of encouragement waiting to be discovered. Here is...
Our native gifts and talent are overrated, especially when it comes to leadership. God chooses leaders because of their hearts, not their style, image, or earthly accomplishments. The epitaph of a leader’s life will be written with the pen of the love they had for...
In southern Oregon, the smoke from several large fires burning in northern California has filled our valley. The smoke has created hazardous conditions for people’s health. It is so bad we are being advised to remain indoors with the windows closed. A report was just...
Recently, I took part in a conference with people attending from all around the world. The worship was powerful. During one of the morning worship sessions the Lord began revealing to me a developing image of a father’s heart. I saw a father gently pushing one...
Recently, I was channel surfing and came upon the end of a NASCAR race. The winning driver crossed the finish line and took his victory lap. After the victory lap he pulled into the Winner’s Circle. What happened next was interesting. Once his car...
I live in an area surrounded by beautiful mountains. This area used to be part of the old Oregon Territory that was comprised of the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho and bits of Montana and Wyoming. Before statehood, if someone was “going to Oregon”,...
Today, there are many formulas floating around the American Church promising success. If you do this – that will happen. They don’t require much faith – you simply follow the formula and you will arrive at your spiritual Disneyland. Most of these so-called formulas...
I am tucked away in a lodge outside of Bend, Oregon on a writing retreat. For the last three days I have been assembling and editing my personal God-experiences and testimonies, an exercise I have been encouraged by the Lord to do over the last two years. For...
In the late 1980’s and early 90’s many pastors in America hung out in the business section of their local bookstore. In those aisles stuffed with business knowledge were books that drew their titles from subjects like swimming with sharks, searching for...
As young church planters, Jan and I knew very little about what it meant to plant a church. We had a calling and a measure of faith and that was all. When we entered the ministry very little was available in resource materials on how to plant a church. I think...
Living in Berlin, Germany brought to me many memorable moments. One of those moments took place because of a decision I made to stop and buy some fruit. After World War II, the Soviets were one of the major powers to occupy postwar Berlin along with the United...
Social media can be a powerful tool when used properly. Along with a Facebook account, I also have a Twitter account. I am coming to appreciate Twitter more because it forces me to be concise. Twitter only allows 140 characters for a user to craft a...
Most of us have been stung - by bees and by people. Both experiences hurt. Just the other day, I was riding my scooter home from the church office. I came to a tricky intersection where I would need both hands on the handlebars to safely make the turn....
When our kids were in grade school we pastored a wonderful church on the coast of Oregon. The coast culture is a great place to live. We still look back on those years with great warmth and affection. Shortly after we arrived, we sensed that God was beginning to...
Thirty-one years ago I was a struggling young pastor. Jan and I, along with our two little children, left all that was known and familiar to us and journeyed north to Montana to plant a church. This was our first attempt at starting a church and our first...