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…
Worship: A Pastor’s Perspective
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…
13 Ways to Stay Small
(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…
What is Church?
What is the church? In all of it’s glory and shame What is the future of this beautiful wreck And what will we do when we realize that the Church is a Bride not a business How will we explain our constant desire to hoard all we can and keep inside a building made by…
36 Names I Call Him
He’s my secret Treasure amidst the lies of gold The Captain of my vessel, the Guardian of my soul The Champion of my battles, my Warrior in the night My Guardian, Provider, within the fiercest fight He’s Architect and Builder of my forever home A Friend that’s like none other. I never walk alone. He…
The Man in the Arena
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…
Technical Terms in Parenting
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!…
Thoughts on Job 23
Then Job spoke again: “My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. If only I knew where to find God, I would go to His throne and talk with Him there. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to His…
In Your FaceBook
Recently I created a Facebook post on a page I manage using the voice of an unbeliever and her internal thoughts: I have good days, but some days it all seems grey, lifeless… I feel invisible and unwanted. I wonder if this is all there is to life. I have friends that are Christians, true…
A Diagnosis for Every Human Being
I’ve been looking over your files and I think I’ve narrowed down the diagnosis for your condition. You are uniquely you and that’s why you’ve been acting the way you have. I don’t think this condition will change. You’ll probably be you the rest of your life. You’ll continue struggling with this condition. Some days…