Living the Dream
Traveling is a dream adventure for many people. With their anti-reality filter firmly in place, they imagine how beautiful and wonderful every moment will be as they frolic along in a new place with excitement and zeal. Many of our dreams are approached in this fashion. We get an idea in our head of what […]
The Chicken Debacle
Standing on the back porch, calling for my dog, Wynona, wondering what area of the neighborhood she is exploring and if she can even hear me call her name. Suddenly, she zips around the corner of the house, with my dad’s dog close on her heels. As she sped into view, I realized she was […]
Godly Friends
Have you ever stopped to consider the influences you allow in your life? Not just social media, tv, and music, but relationships. I have a friend that I have known for over a decade, we don’t see each other very often anymore, because this friend who we will call Jordan only communicates with me when […]
How May I Serve You Today?
How dare they! Does this person seriously think it’s okay to talk to me that way? It is completely unacceptable. Thoughts flood my mind as a battle commences internally between my ego and my spirit. My ego is filled with indignation, my spirit is trying to remind me that I represent my Savior and need […]
The Last Word
Have you ever watched a scene in a movie when one of the main characters is obviously going to die and tries to communicate a final wish to their compatriot, only to be shushed and not allowed to say what they want? It’s always struck me as quite rude. The man is dying. Let him […]
The Results of Being Contrary
“And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.” Leviticus 26:27-28 There are many stories in the Bible that divulge the relationship between God and the […]
Responding to Correction
“A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.” Proverbs 15:12 Have you ever felt the urge to leave a note on someone’s car explaining to them that they did an awful job parking and need to do better? As a person who drives a large vehicle that needs […]
Study to Answer
“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” Proverbs 15:28 Sitting at my desk, catching up on emails, wrapping up a productive day when one caught my eye. As I read, everything around me slowly froze and my breathing stopped as I absorbed the news. […]
Reflections
“Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.” Proverbs 24:29 Reflections are an enlightening phenomenon. There is no hiding reality. I was standing in a lobby, having conversations, enjoying the day when a lady discreetly informed me that I […]
Putting God First
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 Life is filled with oodles of decisions regarding what we will choose to put our efforts into accomplishing in our lifetime. We get to choose our dreams and goals. We get to choose […]
An Afternoon of Madness
It all started with the munchies. Sitting at my desk, diligently working on payroll. Suddenly, the unpleasant odor of marijuana assaulted my senses. A client had walked through the lobby, leaving a trail of the pungent fragrance in his wake. The ladies in the lobby had held their composure until he got through the door […]
Hiding from the Presence of God
“And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.” Genesis 3:8 Sometimes we get backslidden: we stop seeking the Lord as we should. We stop […]
A Daunting Task
“Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.” Genesis 6:22 Have you ever met a person with a “can do” attitude? No matter how daunting the undertaking theyface, they believe they can get it done. Likely that attitude came from a multiplicity of moments whenthey faced a daunting task and […]
What Does God Want from Me?
There is a multitude of philosophies being taught about what God requires of His children. What are His expectations for us? It’s easy to get flooded with the multiplicity of philosophies and sometimes difficult to know which ones are not biblical, and which ones are based in biblical principles. What does the Bible say about […]
Context Matters
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 There are some verses that become popular and are regularly seen on public display. We see them on t-shirts, bumper stickers, dish towels, and wall art. Sounds like a worthy use of a verse, right? To display it where it can be seen […]
Follow….Your Heart?
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 Society today is saturated with messages about following our hearts. There are songs, posters, meme’s, books, and much more that all follow a theme claiming the key to happiness is to yield to our heart’s desires. There’s just […]
Power in Rejoicing
“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 Isn’t it easy to have a great day when circumstances are in our favor? And it seems natural to be having a rough day when circumstances are not what we prefer. Sometimes I catch myself wanting […]
Power in Waiting
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 Impatience can be an ugly characteristic when not harnessed with kindness and compassion. I’m in Bellevue, Washington to attend a […]
Pursuing Peace
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 As a leader, one of my biggest struggles is wondering if I’m doing enough. Am I truly doing my best every day? Am I being productive enough? Am I wisely prioritizing each day, week, month? […]
Out of Focus
Recently, I was checking in with a fellow leader to see how they were faring. They asked how I maintain balance between everything leadership requires, home and family, and my faith and ministry. Internally, I was thinking that after a decade of actively pursuing balance I have yet to achieve it for more than a […]