As we go through the spiritual disciplines, we move from meditation to Study. How often do we fight to fit in our quick devotional, or even spend a few minutes thinking about scripture and what it says to us? But what about study? Study is becoming a lost art form. This is happening in our... Continue Reading →

Meditation is such a great skill, and it is an important tool for so many to get through life.  Those who deal with different illnesses and require constant pain management often look to meditation for help.  The meditation that they are often guided in is eastern meditation.  The hope is to empty your mind, freeing... Continue Reading →

In Hebrews chapters 7-10, God lays out the background of Jesus as our Priest and Mediator of our faith. He did not need to offer sacrifices for Himself, for He lived a perfect life - without sin. So when He offered His life as a sacrifice for us, it was made once and for all.... Continue Reading →

On Sunday in church we watched a video called the Skinny on Fasting by the Skit Guys. It is a funny video that shows a bunch of ways that people could look at fasting. I would have asked which person people identified with most, but spiritual fasting is almost unheard of these days. Here are... Continue Reading →

What a wonderful thing it is when God brings an encourager into your life.  A person who sees beyond what others see and is able to encourage you to continue on when your heart wants to walk away.   At the end of chapter 14 in the book of Acts, Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch.  On their way back, they stopped by... Continue Reading →

It’s a different world out there today. It seems the goal of this modern era is to make sure that everyone knows your name. And in many ways this is understandable. Think about it, when was the last time you recognized a Vice President for being the second in command (beyond the current president)? In... Continue Reading →

Who leaves a business when it’s taking off?  Who jumps off the bandwagon after a big win?  Who leaves a spiritual revival when it’s going full swing?  Those whom God calls to, that’s who! In reading Acts chapter 8, we see that Philip has gone to a city in Samaria when the church was scattered... Continue Reading →

As we move into Acts chapter 2, we see a great moving of the Holy Spirit that brings about incredible growth that continues on after the day of Pentecost. Peter, with the Holy Spirit speaking through him, gives quite the speech. It is quite a turn around for someone who just weeks earlier denied Jesus.... Continue Reading →

Have you ever seen someone stand in the midst of great trial and persecution? Watching someone stand, much like those written about in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, is an encouragement when we find ourselves in challenging circumstances. The same can’t be said when someone backs down from the challenge, or flip-flops their views when it... Continue Reading →

In and around 2012, I found myself floundering a bit. I had been 8 years at the Elm Street Community Church, helped get Shining Light Ministries off the ground, and I was getting burnt out. My health was declining, relationships were suffering, and I was having trouble finding the joy that I had felt not... Continue Reading →