Do you find yourself adrift in the aftermath of awful and agonizing storm of affliction? Maybe you are travailing in a tempest that impacts you spiritually, mentally, emotionally and/or physically. For instance, the Pastor you have prayed for, supported and served under faithfully for decades eviscerated his office when he disclosed his investment in infidelity. Maybe you painfully have to process the reality that your spouse has been seduced and swallowed by the slimy pit of pornography...
Read MoreI am sure that you are familiar with this idiomatic expression: “If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is most likely a duck.” My question for you is: What will your walk with God look like in 2015?
Read MoreQuestion: 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...
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