Jesus says to his disciples, “Let’s go to the other side.” Jesus was on a mission then, and He is on a mission today. Where is He taking us? I remember as a young boy having a picture hanging in my bedroom that depicted a young man piloting a boat at its helm, while in the midst of a storm. Jesus stood behind the young man with one hand on his shoulder and the other showing him where to steer in the midst of the high seas. Today, that painting hangs on a wall in our house that is full […]

The current trial before this nation and this world is difficult and deeply painful for many. To others it will remain a temporary “new normal” not without its inconveniences, fears and unknowns. Whatever the level of intensity and personal impact, this season of adversity will likely alter the way we perceive faith and one another. What we collectively and individually experience now, will be recounted and discussed for generations around dinner tables, campfires and pulpits. We have officially entered into a historic event whether we realize it or not. Reality is a great teacher. The following themes, from a pastor’s […]

Similar to much of the western church trends of today, the circus business was (and still is) in long-term decline. Facing fierce competition from alternative forms of entertainment, shifting interests of its once core audience along with increasing pressure from animal rights groups, culture was simply leaving the circus behind. In the face of their declining market, the circus tried as hard as it could to increase ticket sales and grow participation through highlighting star performers whom Ringling and the other circuses relied on to draw crowds. However, these star performers came at a high cost which only continued to […]

The Quality of Life I have been pondering lately on the quality of life, not the quantity.  The theme is common in many of my conversations.  Perhaps it’s the season of life I am in, perhaps it’s the influence of my own legacy, perhaps it’s watching my children and grandchildren growing up.  We often define this as legacy, which is important. We think about legacy when we are sitting with our estate attorney, and we begin to think about assets and who owns them now and who should own them later. Sometimes we think about legacy in our charitable giving. […]

In the post war 1940’s and 1950’s people sat on front porches and conversed with their neighbors. Today we hide from one another on our back decks, behind pressure treated screens. Families collectively ate something called “dinner” together around a table of some kind. People had something called “verbal conversations” inclusive of complete sentences, body language and eye contact. Back then there were “emoji-less smiles” and something akin to real laughter. If I could time travel, I would visit this era just long enough to enjoy it but not long enough to suffer through the absence of air conditioning. In […]

There is an awakening move of the Spirit happening right now on the earth. At any given point in time and history this phrase has been true. But we, the generation chosen by God to steward His presence on the earth in this day, must realize that we are standing in a specific and appointed time, which is connected to a specific and appointed move of the Spirit in our lifetime.  It is very easy to see that there is a need for a move of God in this hour. This time in history and culture is marked by chaos […]