Blog
Yesterday, I failed at something the Lord has been working on in my life. I felt horrible that I made such a foolish choice, again. I knew better. This morning, as I was reading the Psalms, I came to Psalm 106 which opens by describing the faithful love of God. In the...
If the truth sets us free, then half-truths and outright lies will keep us in bondage. Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8: 31-32). Knowing the truth is what helps us...
In the Spirit, I was taken into a large secured room filled with multiple computer screens. In the natural, I would not be allowed entry into the room. Only people with the highest level of security clearance would be allowed to enter. Each computer screen represented...
As Jesus was about to leave the earth after His resurrection He set in motion the final preparation of His disciples to carry out His mission on earth. Pentecost was coming soon. In Acts 1:8 Jesus said to His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit...
When Jan and I were getting ready to go out and plant our first church our pastor, Roy Hicks Jr., called us into his office for an appointment to solidify some final details before we were deployed. In that conversation Roy asked us if we were ready to pastor and...
I don't know how many times I have read Hebrews chapter 11 - the faith chapter - maybe a hundred times? Each time I savor it's truth. This morning I just finished reading it again. Part of verse 27 jumped out to greet me in a fresh way. The last part of the verse (in...
Fear is not static or lifeless - it is a presence that wants to draw us into a process of death and separation. The process of fear starts by creating suspicion. Suspicion leads to judgement, and once a judgment has been made, and allowed to create an alternative...
Every life has that "one thing" God is after. That one thing is what holds us back from moving into the calling and destiny God has planned for each of us. In Mark chapter 10 a sad story about a rich man takes place. This man comes to Jesus and asks, "What must I do...
As a young pastor-in-training my ears strained to listen to leaders who seemed to shepherd the church with wisdom. My pastor, Roy Hicks Jr., who pastored Faith Center in Eugene, Oregon, and who is now with the Lord, said something to a group of us about thirty years...
Last week I walked out of my office and down the hall into the lobby of the church. As I stepped into the lobby a man called out to me and asked if he could have a moment of my time. I just so happened to be free and invited him back to my office. There was great joy...
I have a pastoral coach. In years past I have had those wonderful relationships with other believers where we walked with each other through the seasons of life. Our iron sharpened each others iron. But this is the first time I have ever had a personal coach - someone...
Please don't let the title of this posting offend you - I will try to explain. About 30 years ago my brother, Dwain, built a beautiful laminated wood cross for me that hung in the sanctuary of the first church I pastored. The cross was a combination of beauty and raw...
Each week I get a note from our bookkeeper letting me know the amount of our Sunday offerings. I was humbled at the giving of our people considering the condition of the world economy. I went back into my office and got down on my knees and thanked God for His...
For a year God had parked me in the Book of Acts. Acts was my yearlong assignment. For a year I read Acts in my private time with God. Each day I studied its history and culture. I soaked in its revelation and wisdom. Since Acts was the clearest picture of the church...
It is early Thursday morning and I am reflecting over our Wednesday night service. We have been doing something different on Wednesday nights. Last night our time together, not much more than an hour, was simple - I read Philippians from start to finish, no preaching...