a pastor's thoughts on faith, family, life & leadership.
I love the Church. Not just the church I get to serve, but THE Church. The one entrusted to carry the message of the grace of Christ forward to each generation. The one vehicle of God's message that He promised would never fail, but always prevail. The one enlisted to move the movement of Jesus [...]
The resurrection is doubted and questioned by many, but believed by millions and by people all throughout history and around the world. But how do we know it is true? Professor Charlie Moule, the famous New Testament theologian offers one of the most sound pieces of historical evidence: "The birth and rapid rise of the Christian [...]
Amazing Grace is the mantra that embraces all those that have embraced the Savior on the Cross. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs [...]
I have a scar by my right eye. It's from when I jumped off my bed as a 5 year old into a bean bag and missed. I didn't actually miss, I just got redirected on the way there. Instead of being engulfed by beans and leather first, I took the detour, first bouncing off the [...]
When we're hurried we chase everything that captures our attention. When we get still enough, we recognize what it is we really long for... Make some time and space for stillness... *thankful I got to practice a monthly day of solitude on Mt. Lemmon. Had some concentrated time to pray for our city, our church and our [...]
The other night, I stole some money from someone at church. Now that I have your attention, let me set the record straight. It wasn't that I tried out my newly acquired ninja skills. It really was a "trade". My wallet for their $20 bucks. I had promised that what was in my wallet was [...]
The other day I was reading a few comments that Louie Giglio made surrounding leadership. He speaks about how the movement up really begins with moving down. Here's some of his thoughts on humility and leadership: "Young leaders: humility is not a sign of weakness, rather it is our strength. For one, the lower we are [...]
I've gotten to go to some pretty amazing Museums! They certainly are filled with great artifacts that tell the stories of long ago. They enlighten. They encourage investigation. They are full of beauty. They are totally worth your visit. But they don't do anything for those living in the here and now. Museums inform people, [...]
I got to stand just a few yards from where Jesus was put into this tomb - after giving his life on the cross. His life had ended - His body was carried here - and the dream of his movement sure seemed to have reached its end. That's what the disciples felt. That's what [...]
We all have people that are good friends and they encourage us. There are others that just simply bless you with their presence. There are also people around us that inspire to be more. Sometimes God combines all three into one. I'm so excited for you to hear from a friend of mine that is an [...]
"Out of sight, out of mind." That's how the saying goes. When something or someone is not visible, active or heard from, then they must be gone and thus we don't focus or consider them. But is that really true? Remember the times following the concert where the crowd cheers, yells and claps until the band [...]
It's Thanksgiving Week. I hope you, with friends and family, have a great time celebrating together with good food and fun. In this season, our minds tend to contemplate some things we're thankful for, so here's 10 Scriptures that can help center a thankful heart. Let them stir you to Give Thanks. May you have a "Thanks-filled" [...]
Listen as God calls you out and toward new adventures in each new day you're given. FOLLOW. Jesus simple invite was: "Follow Me" The joy and adventure of life is found in following after God and walking with him…as he leads. Each day can become predictable, routine and mundane if we allow it. If we [...]
Labels are a part of life. From labels on clothing, to labels we use to organize our files, to the labels on jars, bottles and cans. There's labels we assign to products and services giving our approval or disappointment. We navigate relationships by assigning labels to people's character and interactions. We can't help but label [...]
The freedom that God provides is one that unlocks the cage. It sets people free. I was reading from a great past Christian writer, these words. May they speak freedom into your life as well. The Spirit of God is always the spirit of liberty; the spirit that is not of God is the spirit [...]
