Blog
Sunday, during our worship time with our church community, Living Waters, I physically felt several strong bursts of wind pass over me, like a draft from a door being opened. It was so noticeable that I turned to see the cause. No door had opened, and no one had...
The Old Covenant reveals what is authentic and real about creation and the nature of the Creator. He is honorable and admirable, noble and reputable, compelling and gracious, beautiful and awesome, pure and holy, merciful and just. The nature of humanity is...
This morning, I was reading in the Psalms that God's favor surrounds us. For the last few years, Jan and I have asked God for a heart to receive His special grace in that moment when one of us leaves this world, and the other one must stay behind for a time. It is a...
When Solomon became king, he had a dream encounter with the Lord (see 1 Kings 3:5-13). The Lord asked Solomon a question. “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon responds, “I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. Give me an...
Many years ago, when I was a student at Ministries Institute at Faith Center in Eugene, Oregon, I learned a valuable lesson about sermon preparation from my pastor, Roy Hicks, Jr. Roy was a profound teacher of God’s Word and Kingdom. Roy’s focus on Kingdom preaching...
We can go God’s way or our way when we deal with leaders. These are people who, like all of us, have limitations, faults, and errors. Some, however, are motivated by works of darkness. God’s way is to stand for what is good and right, to speak the truth in love, to...
As a young 19-year-old in the middle of the Jesus Movement, I was like so many other young people at that time. We were all searching for something. The summer of 1969 was an unusual time in the culture of the United States. Everything was changing....
As turmoil increases among the nations, it’s important to understand that it’s nothing new. It has been taking place throughout human history and will continue until the Lord returns. After Paul spoke to the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers in Athens, they took...
There have been some strange beliefs about food. Some still hold onto Old Covenant restrictions that no longer exist in the New Covenant. Jesus said, “Food doesn’t go into your heart but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.” (By saying this,...
I recall the first time I witnessed someone publicly challenge an evil spirit. It took place in the late 70’s at Faith Center, our home church in Eugene, Oregon. Jan and I had been attending the services for only a short time. Before the service began, our pastor, Roy...
Many of us have felt a sobering seriousness in these days. There is an intensity in the times we are living in. It’s not “business as usual.” We are told to be alert for strategic, opportune times of demonic attacks. This is no time to play games. The consequences of...
In 1981, when Jan and I journeyed to Montana with our children to plant our first church, we had no idea what we were doing. We simply had a word from God and decided to act upon that word in faith....
I will never forget the days, many years ago now, when I turned back to God. In the remaining season of the Jesus Movement, Jan and I connected with a fellowship filled with people who loved God. I can remember the feeling of coming alive. I had a hunger to be taught...
When I look back over my youthful, immature, unwise choices, my old nature dominated my thinking and controlled my mind. I chose my own path, led by my plans, based on my desires. God addressed my foolish choices, just as He did Israel. He told the prophet: “I gave...
Needing “Just one more thing” is constantly advertised to us, like it was for those who were following Ponce de León in search of the Fountain of Youth. I am reminded of King Solomon’s writings: “Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just...