Stop Signs If you have not grown up in the Valley, one of the craziest things to get used to around here is driving in the winter fog. It is its own...
Words Hurt Over the last decade, I’ve gained some significant weight. I can go on to explain all the reasons why, but that would be a rabbit trail...
What have you been saved from? Take a look and see what these two Bible verses have in common… Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord...
Catalyst A catalyst is a person or thing that precipitates an event. We are called to be agents of change in our spheres of influence. When you read...
True Transformation This summer, I had the opportunity to travel to the UK to visit Betel Ministries. This ministry was described to me as God-centered...
The Gift of Death A couple of days ago I officiated a funeral for my friend, Bryan. Bryan was 49 years old and died from cancer. I met Bryan eight months ago...
Forgiveness I have been a Christian for a while. When I am talking to a new believer or an unbeliever about the concepts in Scripture that orient our...
Hearing from God Over the years, I have learned the ways God speaks to me. It is always unique but always repeated. He brings the same message to my...
Consistency Scripture encourages us, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the...
Breaking Through When I was 20 years old, I dedicated my life to the Lord. I didn’t really know or understand how to hear from God or understand what He...
Sustaining Peace Peace doesn’t come as easily today as it used to when I was a kid. The older I get, the more responsibility I accumulate. Responsibility...
Managing Reputation Many years ago, as a young adult new in ministry, I remember having a conversation with one of my leaders, who was around the same age as...
Dear Daddy My dad passed away from cancer in 1999. He was only 73 years old. Recently, I came across a letter that I had written to him just a few...
Closer to God When I first decided to follow Jesus and began reading the Bible, one of the first verses I fell in love with was James 4:8. It soon became...
The Power in the Secret Place So often in our lives, we are chasing the busyness of life. It might be school, family life, etc. Then what happens is that God is put as...
Inspired by……. Many people have their favorite books. In my case, I adored the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder and read them...
Seasons to Forget Every year, during springtime, for a long time, I would start to feel different levels of sadness or depression. I’m not exactly sure...
Different Frame of Reference Summer is on its way! In classic spring-cleaning fashion, my family took on a few outside home improvement projects in preparation for...
Tackling the OT When I read the Bible, especially the Old Testament, I try to read with an eye toward a couple of things… What does this reveal about...
Speaking life into our days I was recently told by a dear friend that I have the gift of encouragement. It was so touching to know that I’d been able to help her...
PEACE So often we find ourselves overwhelmed, tired, and in pain. We ask how we got there and how God can get us out of it. It’s a hard road,...
Stewarding faith Faith is key in Christianity. In the book of Hebrews, it says it is impossible to please God without faith. From the outside looking in,...
The power of vulnerability In a world that is social media obsessed, it is so easy for us to hide behind the images we create and not put on display what is affecting...
Contentment or Complacency? Jesus wants us to live a content life found in the salvation of Christ. He doesn’t want us to worry or chase after the things of this...
Patience with the Process When it comes to how you are growing, what are you praying for? For me, it’s always patience, humility, and grace with others. Sometimes...
The Quiet Place If you’ve hung around church long enough, you have probably heard of “the quiet place”, “prayer closet”, “devotional time”...
Have the Right Spirit I believe there are plenty of things to be afraid of today – changes in our education system, distant wars, and rising prices of...
Psalms 51 Psalm 51:10-13 has become such a fundamental part of my life, I have long since memorized it and let it sink deeply into my heart. These...
How to Suffer Well Throughout history, there have been many struggles for people – war, famine, sickness. Not just in the physical world, but in our...
Let Us Pray I have come to realize that there is a panic about prayer. Some say they don’t know how to pray. Some don’t know where to start. If...