To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:5 There’s a huge difference between employees in a demanding organization and a loving home of grace. And yet so often I confuse the two when I thinkof the Christian communitity. We often are intimidated by our sentences […]

Many years ago, I encountered a madman and he happened to be a pastor.  He hired lots of young, idealistic staff and questioned them at every turn. They would all eventually limp away from the church he pastored wounded, shrouded in shame, self-doubt and anger. The harder they worked and the more they succeeded on projects and relationships, the more brooding […]

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. John 11:5 Some versions enclose this verse in parenthesis- almost as if John whispered under his breath, “Oh, by the way, Jesus loved these three people.” I think to myself, doesn’t Jesus love everybody? But I doubt the verse would have as much power if John […]

David and his men arrived in Ziklag on the third day. The Amalekites had raided the Negev and attacked and burned down Ziklag. They also had kidnapped the women and everyone[a] in it from the youngest to the oldest. They had killed no one but had carried them off as they went on their way. When David and his men arrived […]

Every now and then as a pastor I get an opportunity to scan the faces of my church family in worship. I know many of them well as they struggle through life.  And then there are many I don’t know or only know vaguely.  Many that I know are amazingly rising up to worship despite […]

(The Last One Works Every Time!) Growth is easy when you’re 8-years-old. It gets harder at 30 or 40 or 50. However, it’s easy to stop growing. Your growth as an adult demands intention. Stop growing? Easy as pie! But just in case you run out of ideas, here are a few ways: 1. Hold on to things Whether […]

Perhaps the most repeated quote of the past few years, made famous through the excellent writings of Brene’ Brown is Teddy Roosevelt‘s anthem to those who dare to be in the arena: It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of […]

  Our society emerged as an over-diagnosed culture over the past ten years. We seem to have a name just about every disease, dysfunction and disorder. I don’t know why but I guess it’s a good thing to be able to understand ourselves or at least have an excuse for the crazy things we do! […]