God

A Sacrifice of Praise

We’re well into the season of Lent – a reflective 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Resurrection Sunday. Perhaps you’ve chosen to give something up to focus more clearly on Jesus, the one who sacrificed his life on the cross and defeated death. Whether it’s Lent or any other time of the year, as Christians, we’re called to live lives as a sacrifice of praise.   The Lord took me to a passage in the Book of Hebrews that serves as an anchor point for this: “Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that […]

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The Three “Empty” Promises of Easter

Now that I have your undivided attention, let me assure you that the phrase “empty promises” in the title above is a play on words and has absolutely nothing to do with the empty promises of this world. An empty promise is uttered with no intent to fulfill it; it is worthless, meaningless. Advertisements for almost every imaginable product imply promises that we can be wealthy, healthy, attractive, happy, popular and successful if we will just buy whatever it is. We can be assured that God does not make empty promises because all of His promises are “Yes” and “Amen” […]

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God’s Rule Means We Rule Ourselves First

Throughout the centuries, the bells of Christendom have pealed a tune that actually reminds the knowledgeable hearer of our need for God’s help to overcome temptation that very hour. This tune I refer to is called “the Westminster chimes,” as in Westminster Abbey. This tune is heard in churches and college campuses across America — and if you own a grandfather clock, or any kind of chiming clock, you too are very familiar with this 16-note melody that plays at the beginning of every hour. The words to the hourly tune go like this: “Lord, in this hour, be thou […]

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The Promise of Pardon

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6–7 NKJV).   At the end of each United States presidential term the president issues pardons to certain men and women who are incarcerated or who have been convicted of various crimes. Governors of the various states also have this power vested within their state offices. A pardon exempts someone […]

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Middle Men

What is wrong with being adventurous at the age of 23? Throw caution to the wind, I said, and so I did. And in doing so, the breadth of my life choices was diminished. I felt invigorated that February morning waking up in a downtown Chicago hotel after experiencing a snowfall for the first time in my life as we landed in Minneapolis the previous evening. The meeting was planned at a site five blocks away from my accommodations, so a choice had to be made; take a taxi… or be brave and walk to the location with garments not […]

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Meanwhile…

Several years ago, actually 15, the movie “UP” was released by Pixar. The entertaining story about an old man, a talking dog and a little stowaway boy, all floating around in a house tied to hundreds of balloons, takes you on an adventure filled with childlike wonder… sort of like life. One of the more comical elements of the story is the dog, aptly named DUG, who wears a special collar that allows him to speak.  However, DUG is often distracted by squirrels. We find him in mid-sentence when he will notice a squirrel, stop, gaze intently at the it […]

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A Journey from Skepticism to Faith

Last month, in honor of President’s Day, Dr. Stephen Mansfield, a New York Times best-selling author and Executive Director of the Center for Global Leadership at PBA, wrote an article titled “Abraham Lincoln and His Covenant with God” for the Institute of Faith and Culture. The piece explores the life of one of our nation’s most revered figures, his journey from skepticism to profound faith, and how his leadership — encompassed by his desire to follow the Lord — changed the course of history. The following article is a reminder of the immense responsibility of leaders like Lincoln, who lead with courage, faith […]

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Franklin Graham: Taking a Stand for Truth

Like most of you, I was stunned when the presidents of three of America’s leading universities — UPenn, Harvard and MIT — testified before a congressional committee investigating antisemitism on college campuses. On their campuses, raucous pro-Palestinian protestors chanted, “From the river to the sea,” effectively calling for the elimination of the Jewish state and the genocide of the Jewish people. When New York Rep. Elise Stefanik asked if “calling for the genocide of Jews” violated student codes of conduct, the presidents dodged the yes-or-no question and refused to take a position. Can you imagine? The leaders of some of […]

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Church United Embraces “The Missional Moment”

As a result of research, prayer and the movement of the Holy Spirit, we believe that we are at a pivotal moment in the life of the Church in South Florida. By all accounts, the next 30 years will represent the largest mission opportunity since the beginning of America, and our very own South Florida. While we are witnessing the largest and fastest numerical shift in religious affiliation in the history of our communities, we stand at one of the greatest moments for the Church – the people of God – to be agents of faith, hope and love to […]

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Healthy Leaders, Thriving Churches, Flourishing Cities

In the intricate tapestry that is a local church and ministry network, the well-being of its leaders is of paramount importance. These leaders are entrusted with the sacred responsibility of shepherding their congregations and organizations and serve as the backbone of any vibrant and thriving community. Investing in the holistic health and wholeness of these leaders has cascading positive effects on the leaders themselves, their families, the congregations and constituents they serve, and the overall witness and impact of the Christian community in the region. Health matters Lasting change, transformation, spiritual witness along with the transmission of faith to the […]

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