God

Abiding Joy

In Christ, you have access to a priceless, almost-hidden treasure. You can pursue, possess and be possessed by a God-ordained joy. Some pursue a fleeting and certainly temporary happiness, but not you. You can be apprehended by a lasting, sustaining joy, emanating from the One who purchased it for you. In a friendship with Christ, He excitedly gives you access to His joy, laughter and contentment. You were created to enjoy Him no matter what. You can chuckle, belly laugh, or sit as still as you can in silence and enjoy His joy.   Regardless of circumstance  The feelings of […]

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There Are No Step-by-Step Rules for Christianity!

I long ago lost count of how many times I’ve heard unbelievers object that “Christianity is nothing more than rules and regulations!” Let me begin by saying that that when the unbelieving world sees our faith as nothing more than a list of “dos and don’ts,” we have done a poor job of presenting the beauty and the blessing of the good news of the Gospel. Christianity, first and foremost, is Good News — the good news of a relationship, NOT a list of rules. John Piper put it this way: “It’s like we’re in a war, in a concentration […]

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Dawn and Dusk

I was recently sitting with Lisa watching the sunset. I reflected on the experience of dusk, that in between time before darkness and after light. I noticed that everything was ideal. I thought about what life would be like if we lived in permanent dusk. I couldn’t help but also think about how dusk emulates dawn, again that in between time, but in that case the time after darkness and before light. What I thought was interesting about these two in between times was how little effort life required. The color was about perfect – enough light to recognize objects, […]

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The Secret to Balancing Family and Ministry

My dad and I just got back from our annual “Mahi massacre” fishing trip. For many years we have set sail excited about quality father/son time, the thrill of the sport and some really good eats. But it’s also a chance for us to get out on the open waters. We can breathe deeply and think, talk, process and pray through life, ministry, and leadership issues with a handful of other key influencers — an “iron sharpening iron” experience. We anticipated some heavy questions and deep conversations, but the question of the day surprised us! Every guy on the boat […]

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A Mission for Youth

I remember exactly where I was sitting at the back of that crowded gymnasium. Surrounded by hundreds of other teenagers, I awaited the final session of a week-long church summer camp. As a 14 year old who grew up in church, I knew how these things worked. The final session would be filled with moving worship, a passionate altar call and many tears. I was at an interesting point in my life. Most of my Christian experience up to that point could be summed up in three words: “going through motions.” I knew a lot about Jesus, but I didn’t […]

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God Lead Us Down Your Path

God Leads us in everything we do. In our current cultural moment, one which is steeped in deep skepticism, absolute truth is separated from matters of religion and spirituality as far as the east is from the west. A typical postmodern response to the statement that absolute truth exists would sound like, “That may be absolutely true for you, but absolutely not true for me.” This view is as deluded as it is dangerous in matters of reality, blurring the lines between preference, opinion and truth. To be sure, the promise in the era of modernism that human reason was […]

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Making History

The book of Acts tells a story about a group of people who changed the world. These ordinary people sparked an extraordinary movement known as the Church. Driven by a unified vision, they discipled and deployed every Christ-follower to be an agent of grace — to spread faith, hope and love everywhere they went. Every Christian, no matter who they are or what they do for a living is indeed God’s “Plan A” to bring renewal and restoration to the spiritual lostness, social pain and cultural brokenness we see all around us. Today, we believe the Church — God’s people […]

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Drip… Drip… Drip…

Summer, my favorite time of year because our pace changes, actually slows down. I see things from another perspective. I savor God’s provision and blessings. I also rest and become refreshed. I also am reminded during the hot South Florida summers of just how important water is. Water is essential to life. One does not have to go too long to realize just how essential water is. Sometimes we need water without even being thirsty.  The lack of water will often lead to a slow death, often without even realizing it.  The poet, king, warrior, David, acknowledged that a tree planted […]

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Need Some Good News?

Since this publication is meant to be all about “good news,” I thought that I would share some timeless truths regarding good news with you today. Good News: God’s interest in you will always exceed your interest in Him. Even if your interest wanes, His attentiveness to you remains constant. God doesn’t just love you. If “just loving you” was His nature, then His love could wane as you become more unlovable. God is love. There is nothing you can do to cause Him to love you more, and there is nothing that you can refrain from doing that would […]

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Fewer Miracles in America?

I have been thinking a lot about things in our culture that are anemic, or in a coma, or near death. People sometimes ask me why there aren’t more miracles in our culture. There are about five reasons why this is the case in America. Most people think we need to pray more often with more people and believe more. I guess they have a point, but how is that working out? The primary reason for fewer miracles in our culture is simple. We are in an “evangelistic coma.” In your Bible, you will see that miracles are most prevalent […]

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