In a world where we seem to be looking in so many different places for people or things to protect us or save us, this is a very important question for us to ask during the Advent season. During Advent, we prepare to celebrate when God came to earth as one of us to live... Continue Reading →

What a great time to be going through the Psalms. There are many Psalms of thanksgiving, but the one I am in today is Psalm 138 (a Psalm of David). It starts where we should be as we prepare for Thanksgiving... “I will give you thanks with all my heart; I will sing your praise... Continue Reading →

So often we start to move right from harvest or Halloween to Advent and Christmas, and in between spend time enjoying a Thursday without work, eating turkey and watching football. Maybe people will make sure to say a prayer with dinner. But will we take time to really give thanks? And what about last year?... Continue Reading →

How many of us look forward to hearing people tell us that we are doing a great job?  This is as much an issue for pastors and those involved in ministry as it is for anyone else.   I remember early on, a member of our choir asked me why they should bother singing when the snow... Continue Reading →

Have you ever seen a picture of an uncut diamond? They often look like clear rocks. For some, they look at them and see nothing special. For others, they can imagine what this rock will look like once it is prepared by a master gemcutter. Most gems are like this. Spurgeon compares an uncut diamond... Continue Reading →

When was the last time you mourned over your unfaithfulness, or the unfaithfulness of those around you. I am not speaking about those who are not Christians, for they didn’t have faith to begin with. I am speaking about those who call themselves Christians. And when I speak about unfaithfulness, it is a matter of... Continue Reading →

Over the weekend we (local pastors) had the opportunity to pray for our first responders (police, fire, and EMT’s), as well as provide them lunch (from the local Christian churches).  We did this as a thank you for their willingness to risk their lives for ours, especially after so many gave their lives on 911. ... Continue Reading →

A couple of days ago I had a long training ride (for a half Ironman race i have coming up next month). It was my race prep ride and it was 3 hours and 5 minutes. One of the things I was doing was checking my nutrition and fluids. About 2 hours in I realized... Continue Reading →

What is the importance of being a part of a local body of Christ? One thing should be the call to encourage one another. In Hebrews 3, the author calls us to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Our... Continue Reading →