Jesus Feeds 9,000
I wrote this a number of years ago while I was a between ministry positions. Perhaps it will help some readers who are between God’s assignments in their life. Blessings. “We have only five loaves of...
View ArticleMy Least Favorite Scripture
How many of you have your favorite verses of Scripture? You know, the ones you’ve memorized, written down, maybe even have them framed and hung on the wall or, most importantly, plastered on the...
View ArticleOnly One Voice
“Who told you that you were naked?” – Genesis 3:11 Have you ever started to read a book or a magazine article, only to come across a sentence that was so good you couldn’t finish it because one key...
View ArticleThe Most Common Sin of Church Pastors
“Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, ‘There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.’” – Luke 13:14 Do you...
View ArticleGot Character?
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being (Hebrews 1:3) A few years ago, a church I attended in Arkansas hosted a Thanksgiving service to raise money for the...
View ArticleCaught In The Good ‘Ol Days
“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. . . .because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting...
View ArticleCounting the Cost
“Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” –Luke 18:18 I’ve been teaching my way through the book of Luke at my church, and the scene with the rich young leader has been...
View ArticleThe Never-Ridden Donkey
“Go into that village over there. As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.” (Luke 19:30) I’ve been teaching through the book of...
View ArticleLeaving The Dirt Behind
“Then the Jews…incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town. So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium.” (Acts 13:50-51) Like...
View ArticleWhen God Says “No”
The King David went in and sat before the LORD and prayed.” – 2 Samuel 7:18 When I was in Bible college, I met a girl that I was quite taken with. She was beautiful to look at, loved God with all her...
View ArticleHoly Transparent
For four years I was an Assemblies of God minister and a monk with the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at the Little Portion Hermitage. This is an excerpt from my book called Taking Off My Comfortable...
View ArticleWhen God Is Finished With You
“Then Moses went up Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah peak, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him the whole land, from Gilead as far as Dan.” (Deut. 34:1). A few...
View ArticleJesus: The Prodigal Son
“The younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. . .” Luke 15:11-24 When I first studied this passage back in Bible College, it...
View ArticleOn Being Afraid Of Not Trying
Thoughts on The Parable of the Talents — Matthew 25:14-30 Since I’m now of middle age and questionable wisdom, I’ve been spending some time wondering what I want to be when I grow up. I know that...
View ArticleI’m Just Like Moses. . . .On A Bad Day!
Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. . . Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock...
View ArticleHabakkuk’s Complaint
I’ve been reading (and rereading) the book of Habakkuk lately. It is a small book nestled between Nahum and Zephaniah and is unique among the prophetical writings in that it contains no message to...
View ArticleThe Crumbs of Faith and Hope
“Jesus said to the woman, ‘I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.’ But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, ‘Lord, help me!’” Matthew 15:24-25 As I write this, the...
View ArticleWe Are Not In Competition
“Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul.” – Acts 11:25 One of my greatest joys as a pastor is the friendships I have with other pastors in my town. I’ve been having Friday morning coffee for...
View ArticleGod Answers Our Imperfect Prayers
“Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.” – Acts 12:16 Are you an unbelieving believer? I know I am! How many times have I prayed about...
View ArticleNo More No Less
I rarely post excerpts from books, but Henri Nouwen’s The Return of the Prodigal Son has been rearranging my thinking and my theology lately. Enjoy. The elder brother compares himself with the younger...
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