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
ON THE THRESHOLD
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
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
ETERNITY IN OUR HEARTS
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Proverbs 3:11
I found myself thinking about … Read the rest
THE ROOT AND THE FRUIT OF WISDOM
You will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to … Read the rest
THE MASTER’S MIND
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord, and … Read the rest
STRENGTH OF SOUL
Psalm 138:3 says:
On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased.
I love that verse. The result of our calling upon the Lord is that He increases our strength of soul. But, what exactly … Read the rest
HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures … Read the rest
THE SUN BREAKING THROUGH THE CLOUDS
“A revival, among other things, is a sudden manifestation of God’s presence. It is not the coming of the sun, but the sun breaking through the clouds. Although the sun may be hidden, it is still there until it … Read the rest
GAZING UPON THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD
Psalm 27:4 reads:
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord … Read the rest
WHEN WORSHIP BECOMES SELF-TALK
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty … Read the rest
WHEN GOD’S LOVE HURTS
During my years of ministry as a pastor and emergency services chaplain, I’ve had the privilege of bringing comfort to many whose lives were suddenly turned upside down by tragedy.
A dreamhouse burned down in a matter of minutes. A … Read the rest