Wanted

Wanted

In his recently revised classic, What’s So Amazing About Grace?, Philip Yancey tells the story of Peter Greave. Greave contracted leprosy while stationed in India.   “He returned to England, half-blind and partially paralyzed, to live on a compound run by a group...
The One Thing That Changes Everything

The One Thing That Changes Everything

I didn’t see it coming.   Early in ministry, I traveled to a three-day conference on “Leading and Growing Your Church.” To be honest, I was primed for this one. We had seen some growth in the church I was serving, but it had been slow and met with resistance at...
The One Common Denominator of All Successful People

The One Common Denominator of All Successful People

I couldn’t believe it. You may have seen the meme going around about Josh Allen, star quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. He’s had a phenomenal 2024-25 season, was a finalist for the National Football League’s MVP, and has led his team to the AFC Championship game on...
Trusting God in the Dark

Trusting God in the Dark

I had a bad feeling about it.   My wife left a note for me to call someone as soon as possible. With a halting mix of fear and hope, I dialed the number. Tragically, my fears were confirmed. The voice on the other end shared news so devastating, I was speechless....
Finding Peace After a Broken Dream

Finding Peace After a Broken Dream

Ever had a broken dream? The popular group you so desperately want to be in blows you off. You get injured before your senior year and miss the entire season.   Your dream girl dumps you for a real jerk. The school you had your heart set on sends you a rejection...
4 Essentials of the Road to Unstuck

4 Essentials of the Road to Unstuck

“Happy New Year! Did you make any resolutions?” “Are you kidding? I gave those up years ago. They never work.” Sound familiar? Every time I hear someone say, “I gave up on resolutions,” I know two things are going on below the surface. At one level, there’s a secret...
45 Seconds That Will Change Your Life

45 Seconds That Will Change Your Life

I wasn’t expecting it to change my life. One Sunday, a pastor said, “When you wake up in the morning, what are your first thoughts? They may be about something the night before or what you need to do that day. “What if, instead, you were to slide out of bed onto your...
All I Want for Christmas

All I Want for Christmas

Would you want this for Christmas? Ralphie didn’t either. His Aunt’s idea of a perfect gift didn’t exactly match his idea. In the classic movie, A Christmas Story, Ralphie has his heart set on a Red Ryder BB gun. But when he mentions it at the dinner table, his...
You May Want to Leap!

You May Want to Leap!

What is Christmas about, really? Before there were big box stores and little boutiques, before big budget advertising and blow out sales, before Christmas was for retailers to finish in the black…it was just about a baby born in a manger to change the world. To...
Is There Ever a Time to Quit?

Is There Ever a Time to Quit?

It was a confession, really. A long-time pastor friend sent an email saying, “This last year has been my hardest ministry year ever. I’ve asked my wife if I have any other marketable skills. I’m thinking of applying to the new Walmart.” I know a lot of pastors who...