My in-laws just left town and I need to offer a disclaimer right up front. This in no way is a reflection of my relationship with them. I love Lee and Carol and I always look forward to their visits. I was sad when they left the other day. We all have that crazy cousin Eddy however, whose visit we
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My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry… James 1:19 (NIV) Shortly after my wife and I married, a friend paid for us to go to a weekend marriage seminar. At the time I wondered why he would give us this gift. My wife and
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Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT) Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him
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1. Shepherding without listening to the sheep. You simply cannot shepherd unless you are listening to the sheep. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” James 1:19 2. The elevation of “deciding” over “doing” (serving). Yes, decisions must be made but if you spend
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David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.” 2 Samuel 24:14 (NIV) At the end of the book of 2 Samuel there is an obscure and unusual story about a terrible thing David did while he
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The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. Proverbs 20:5 (NIV) Years ago I found myself sitting in a homeowners association meeting; frustrated. The assembled group was trying to solve some neighborhood issues. As we discussed some of the possible solutions, the discussion felt hampered. Everyone in the room seemed to
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But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (NIV) Do you ever feel like you’re on one of those hamster wheels, running and running and getting nowhere? Our lives can get so crazy that we start to feel like we’re in a rat
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This situation doesn’t concern my department. I’m sure the pastors and Elders are on it. Talking about this might be gossip. I could lose my job. I might not get the scholarship. This could jeopardize my book deal. This could affect my future pay. This could mess up future potential promotions. I don’t want to lose a speaking engagement. I
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One of the questions I want to ask when I get to heaven is why God allowed me to go through several ministry crisis situations. In the heat of the moment it always seemed like a diversion, a detour from his greater work. Looking back I’m somewhat surprised that my faith made it through intact and maybe even in that
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One of the common reactions when a church or ministry finds itself embroiled in a scandal is what I call the Double Down Response. You see it all the time, a scandal breaks out and there is a rush to affirm the mission statement, the core doctrines and the gospel. The scenario plays out in text book-like patterns, a Christian
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