Question: have you been sufficiently rocked by Jingle Bell Rock? At this point, we should know what Christmas should look like. And if you keep on dreaming of a white Christmas you may actually be in a coma without even knowing it.
Read MoreChristmas is the most wonderful time of the year! Have you counted how many times you have heard that statement? It is featured on the radio and highlighted in music playing throughout malls and elevators country-wide. Our minds are being molded to believe that this is the only time of the year that we will experience joy, excitement, and happiness. But the truth is that for millions of people Christmas is not so wonderful a time. There is more fear than cheer due to unrealistic expectations. Extreme expectations erase the presence and power of the Prince of Peace!
Read MoreQuestion: What is it that makes a man a hero? Is it his strength, size, or smarts? Is it his savvy to seize an opportunity presented to him as opposed to surrendering it to someone else? As we look to Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus, we can see that Joe is a hero on a number of fronts. He demonstrated sensitivity, sincere spirituality, a splendid display of selflessness and surrender to God. It is these characteristics that make him a spiritual hero.
Read MoreIn last week’s blog, we began a seasonally themed series in order to prepare our hearts for the Christmas season. While it is easy to fixate on Mary and Jesus Christ, we are going to place a spotlight on Joseph, or as I like to call him, “Joe the Hero.”...
Read MoreAs we approach the Advent season I thought it would be appropriate to offer several blog entries that would turn our attitudes to the reason for the season. How about starting with a good cup of JOE! Not a cup of coffee but Joseph aka Joe the Hero!
Read MoreThe enticement to please people and not God is a mistake for the man of God and problematic for the people of God. The man of God, that is the under-shepherd should model the Chief Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord declared that He always purposed to please His Father (John 8:29b). His heart was not pulled to please and placate people...
Read MoreAs a Pastor, the propensity to please people must be consistently under the scrutiny of the Spirit of God and the scriptures. As an under-shepherd for the Good and Great Shepherd I am called to model the Master, show compassion, be kind, love and feed the sheep. However, there is a line that the Lord leads us to draw that requires us to demonstrate discernment and differentiation between caring for the sheep and pleasing the sheep...
Read MoreMaybe you have heard the adage that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. But what happens if a woman is a poor cook or perhaps the man is a better cook? Or what if she is trying to win the affections of a world renowned chief from Paris? As you can see to travel down this path in hopes of winning someone’s heart is misguided and problematic. To be frank: it is fleshly...
Read MoreOne of the more common fears in children is nyctophobia or the fear of the dark. While young children are expected to eventually grow out of this fear, studies have shown that this fear often continues into adulthood. Studies show that as many as 46% of people who report regular issues with insomnia also claim to be afraid of the dark. Their fear has physical consequences that park them in perpetual frustration and futility...
Read MoreThere are many things that exhibit a form of power in our world: the electricity that lights our homes and provides a haven of comfort, fossil fuels that sustain our transportation industry and even the power-lifter that astonishes with impressive acts of strength. But nothing in this world can compare with the awesome power of El Shaddai, God Almighty...
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