Christmas is coming soon.  Many of us have our Christmas trees up and presents start to appear under the tree.  Some presents are complex and have many parts to them.  For example, maybe you get your little girl a dollhouse and spend several hours putting all the parts together.  She’s thrilled with this complex gift.  This Christmas, God intends to give you and me the gift of joy; we see i...  Read More

       One of the most intriguing characters of the New Testament is John the Baptist.  He is the cousin of Jesus, himself the result of a miraculous birth to a couple in their old age.  He was unique: with a ministry out in the wilderness, wore rough clothes made of camel’s hair and ate a surprising diet of locusts and wild honey.  In the popular series, “The Chosen,” the apostle Peter refers to ...  Read More

RADICAL GRATITUDE Thanksgiving is coming. This Thursday most of us will hit pause from work, gather with family, eat too much and express gratitude to God for the many blessings in our lives. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It is a great annual attitude adjustment. It seems for many, complaint is their native tongue. I know I can slip into it easily. But instead, I want to look at lif...  Read More

ENDING ENVY     You might remember the classic film, Toy Story.  In it we see Woody, Andy’s favorite toy, struggling with envy because the new Buzz Lightyear action figure removes him from the top spot among the toys.  Woody even resorts to trying to hurt Buzz.  While most of us would not go that far, we do tend to struggle with envy, jealousy and coveting what others have.  It could look more lik...  Read More

BUILDING CHARACTER: SELF CONTROLIn Galatians 5 the Apostle Paul lists for us the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. When I make individual spiritual plans with people, I often ask which of these virtues are you struggling to live out? The number one answer is self-control, that is certainly my struggle as well. The word means to have dominion over one’s impulses, cravings or desires. One of my favori...  Read More

BRAVE CONVERSATIONSI do not know you or your story, but I am very certain that eventually, if not currently you willexperience some form of conflict with someone in your life. It might be a difficult boss, neighbor without boundaries, addicted family member or stubborn teenage child. Most of us hate conflict, but it is an opportunity to bring God glory. God’s Word, the Bible, gives us a great deal...  Read More

LEAVING A LEGACY     Take a moment to stop and think about a mentor who has had a positive impact on your life.  It could be a parent, grandparent, coach or teacher.  That person poured into you, helping you become all that God intended.  They helped you flourish and thrive.  This role as mentor is vital and each of us is called to look around and see who we can invest in for the future.  Leadersh...  Read More

A SLOW DOWN SPIRITUALITY      We live in a culture of hurry and exhaustion.  Does your life feel that way?  Sometimes mine does.  Demands at work, my family; it can be overwhelming at times.  Sometimes I have to pause and ask, “am I living at a sustainable pace?”      How do we live life with a healthy rhythm of work and rest?  How can we be different from our frantic culture? First, LIVE WITH FOC...  Read More

DEALING WITH WORRY        Over thirty years of ministry I have watched so many people struggle with worry.  One author calls worry “a toxic web of what if” (Worry Free Living, Dr. Arnie Cole and Michael Ross, 16).  Our minds can start to run down this road: what if I don’t have enough money for retirement? Or what if the lump is cancerous?   As we wrestle with the what ifs I have been encouraged b...  Read More

      If you look at my left arm you will see a significant scar.  Every scar has a story.  When I was a kid, I decided to race my cousin to the front door of our house.  This made the storm door the finish line.  I stuck my left arm through it and had to get nineteen stitches.  For the record, I won!  Almost all of us have some scars on our body and on our spirit as well.  Maybe you were molested...  Read More

     This Sunday we celebrate Mother’s Day.  What have you learned from your mother?  Most of us have a massive list.  My Mom taught me that Jesus Christ is most important.  There were many things she wanted for me in life but most of all she wanted me to experience the hope and joy of knowing Christ.  She was a woman of prayer both in front of me and in the background of my life.  She demonstrate...  Read More

     Everyone is wounded by others at one time or another, sometimes in significant ways.  Many individuals have been molested as children.  Others have been cheated on by their spouse.  Some have been lied to or stolen from.  The list of offenses is endless.  Each of us receives the opportunity to respond.  Will we seek revenge?  Turn our anger inward and end up with seething resentment?  Or can ...  Read More