Blog
Many of us have been aware of an increasing effort to dismiss or reinterpret Scripture believed to be irrelevant in this day and age or simply out of a growing distrust for God’s truth. Some have reduced their understanding of Scripture to just the New Testament or to...
Thousands of years ago, a future forecast was made, pointing to our time. Isaiah described the coming of a righteous King in His true humanity—the Messiah—who will be the ideal governmental leader. What kind of influence and authority does an ideal leader have? The...
We make daily and future plans, but a lot of those plans are dreamed up without God’s input. This form of rebellion and stubbornness is celebrated as free choice, freedom, and independence. Listen to His word spoken to Judah through Isaiah: “You make plans...
A man I had come to know assumed the primary leadership role in a large international church organization. His appointment was a good fit and made sense. His respected life and ministry were well known across many denominations and church movements...
As young church planters, Jan and I knew very little about what it actually meant to plant a church. We had a calling and a measure of faith—and that was all. When we entered the ministry, few resources were available for church planting. I think our early...
If all the prophecies we hear and are willing to accept sound like a message of unicorns and rainbows without any warnings, we are not hearing the full counsel of God. His prophetic warnings are acts of love. His warnings will lead to the release of His mercy. His...
A month ago, I clearly heard the Lord give me direction that I did not expect. If I didn’t know the voice of the Lord, I might have questioned or resisted. However, I did ask Him to confirm what He spoke to me. I asked Him to tell Jan, my most trusted voice and...
Jeremiah gets a bad rap for being too tough on sin. He speaks with clarity about the oppressive consequences of sin, yet also about God’s mercy. Jeremiah wrote in the book of Lamentations, “Her oppressors have become her masters” (Lamentations 1:5). He described...
The early church faced the same issues and schisms over false teachings that we face today. Fragile churches are left damaged and heartbroken. The Apostle John wrote his letters to bring the church back to clarity of faith and unity. He writes that the whole...
Make a place for wonder and mystery to always be present in your life and ministry. If you pastor a church, grow a family, or develop a business plan, there will be times when you find yourself falling into ruts of predictability. When you realize you have slipped...
Our global civilization is in an epoch cycle of change. This cycle of change will test the things we know and believe. Human solutions will fail with ever-increasing frequency because earthbound realities will not meet the needs of desperate people living in desperate...
Recently, I was reviewing my relationship with Jesus. As a young boy, I understood His message and accepted Him as my Savior. I can still sense the beauty of that young and innocent faith. It became and still is the anchor point of my belief. Maturity in our...
Abraham is our example and spiritual father, for he believed God could raise the dead and call into being things that didn't exist yet on Earth. Against all odds, even when it looked hopeless, he believed the promise. He took God at His word and expected Him to...
Each day, Jan and I take communion. We raise the cup of wine and receive fresh new mercies available through the Blood of Jesus. We confess our sins and receive His forgiveness. We forgive each other and anyone else who has offended us. His Blood is sprinkled on our...
The significance of setting aside a National Day of Prayer in our nation is far greater than we realize. As we pray, we quote II Chronicles 7:14, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked...