My morning devotions led me to the opening verses of Matthew 9, where Jesus heals a paralytic. These verses jumped out at me:
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he … Read the rest
SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
THE POWER OF PRODUCTIVE WAITING
During my years at a Bible College in Great Britain, now 40 years ago (gulp!), I took part in a performance group named “Portrait,” with which we went to churches and evangelistic outreach campaigns. The very first sketch we learned … Read the rest
NEWSFLASH!
Most of the time, you receive devotional insights on this blog – primarily what jumps out at me during devotions or reading.
Occasionally, I will share updates on our faith journey toward living and ministering in Kenya, which forms the … Read the rest
THE COUNSEL OF PEACE
And say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. It is he who shall … Read the rest
IN ANTICIPATION OF SPRING
It’s mid-morning on a February Saturday, and I’m sitting in the sunroom of our house looking at a dreary scene outside. The sky is grey and a raw and a cold wind is blowing. The trees and shrubs in the … Read the rest
FEAR IN THE FREE WORLD
Richard Wurmbrand was a pastor who suffered lengthy imprisonment and unimaginable torture at the hands of the Romanian communist regime before he was ransomed by a Norwegian organization in 1964. He and his wife Sabrina eventually moved to the U.S. … Read the rest
HE REVEALS HIS THOUGHTS
One of the things that fascinates and warms me the most about a relationship with our God – Almighty Creator, Father of mankind, Lord, King of the universe – is that He reveals His thoughts to us. Amos says so:… Read the rest
ON THE THRESHOLD
New Year’s Eve 2023. For some, an auspicious date – 123123. For many, a time to reflect on the past and look ahead to the next year. Some make resolutions – new year, new me. Others perhaps brace themselves for … Read the rest
SEEING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST WITH EYES OF FAITH
Gotta get my two cents in at Christmas! Hope you don’t mind.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the paradox in the way we commemorate our Savior’s birth today. Most of us have forgotten that the nativity has been … Read the rest
ANATOMY OF A CURVEBALL
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8
I’m no baseball expert but life has got me thinking about the theological meaning of curveballs lately.
The curveball is one … Read the rest
A MIND STAYED ON GOD
Who doesn’t want peace in the midst of the turmoil we live in? Every glance at the news headlines promises more conflict, economic stress, and future volatility. Meanwhile, the fast pace of our digital society makes our lives more complex … Read the rest
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
Most of the time I publish deep thoughts and insights. But with a three-week mission trip to Kenya coming up for my wife and me, I’ll share something newsy. So, here are some excerpts from our newsletter, hot off the … Read the rest
THE SURRENDERED VS. THE SOVEREIGN SOUL
Recently I came across the profile picture of a Facebook content creator who had framed her profile picture with the words “peaceful loving sovereign soul – I stand for freedom.”
For a humanist – one who believes in the centrality … Read the rest
INTREPID INTERCESSION
“Intrepid” is perhaps not a word many people use. I’m partial to it for two reasons:
1. It is a good adjective for the kind of intercessory prayer that is needed these days.
2. I’m a pastor and we love… Read the rest
THE UNTAPPED POWER OF INTERCESSION
Spoiler alert: My wife is putting the finishing touches on a devotional entitled “Intrepid Intercession.” It is one of the few devotionals completely geared toward intercessory prayer and is a collaborative effort between me and fourteen contributing writers. We hope … Read the rest