Service and Sacrifice
My office is surrounded by other offices and a common area, so when I need to concentrate, I shut my door. I usually put on my headphones to help block out distractions and noise. But even with these precautions, I know that the longer my door is closed, the better the chances that someone will...
What Does Courage Look Like Today?
Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. —Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) I was looking forward to a relaxing evening when I opened my email and found a message from my church production team. My name...
Why Men Love Fire: The Spirit, the Flame, and the Power of Brotherhood
There’s just something about fire that draws men in. You’ve probably noticed it. Gather a group of men around a fire pit and watch what happens. The conversation shifts. Phones go dark. Stories start rolling. There’s laughter, honesty…even some depth. And for a minute...
From the Inside Out
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true...
Revival Starts with Me: Examining Our Hearts and Minds
In a world filled with chaos, division, and strife, the concept of revival often seems like a distant dream. We long for change, for renewal, for a fresh start. What if the key to revival lies not in pointing fingers at others, but in looking inward and examining our own hearts first? If we...
Your Story, His Glory
“Hey Mom, what’s your story?” Even though my oldest daughter is three, I know she’ll ask me this question someday. And honestly, the story is not pretty. I sometimes think of it as my “scarlet letter.” However, it does explain how I got where I am...
Walking in Freedom: How the Resurrection Changes Everything
“Get here. She’s not doing well.” Those are words no one ever wants to hear...especially when they’re about your spouse. The next thirty-six hours were a blur . . . ER visits, hospital rooms, and a thousand unanswered questions. Doctors finally diagnosed a clot that was...
Good (or “Holy” in Old English) Friday
Was it not necessary for Christ to suffer these things and to enter his glory? —Luke 24:26One of the most meaningful services for me is a Good Friday service that recounts the stages of the cross. In the church I attend for this service, for each stage bringing Jesus closer to the...
Obedience through Suffering – Garden of Gethsemane
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed...
The Last Supper, More Than a Meal
“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is...