Ten year old Ahmed (Pictured) sat there as we engaged his mom and siblings with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He listened intently as we dialogued around Issa Al masih, "Jesus the messiah!" It was a good discussion, and very normal to the many visits we have…
Christmas has always been a great time of year for me. I like the decorations, the festive feeling, and maybe even that it “seems” like people are nicer. After all, they say “Merry Christmas”, oops, I mean “Happy Holidays,” ugh! No, “Happy Solstice?” Well, that should make the Wiccans feel comfortable anyway. Alright, forget the…
I have read and gleaned from many men and women throughout my years. Certainly the Anglican Bishop to India, Leslie Newbigin has been one of those advisors from a distance over the years. I would highly recommend reading some of his books, especially 'The Gospel in a Pluralist…
“We see your love for us’ (Syrian Man We Visited in Jordan)
I posted this in my WordPress blog (Jesusculture.blog) a while ago, but it seemed pretty relevant to re-print this here in light of today’s climate regarding immigration. Immigration appears to be a rather tense conversational piece these days.…
Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and…
There’s a lot of turmoil and pain in this world right now. Here we are in another Christmas season. My 67th Christmas season, and a season I definitely enjoy. Part of that is due to nostalgia, and part of that is due to the recognition and celebration of my savior’s birth. The latter…
The title of this little devotion is taken right out of Psalm 8:4, Where David is looking at the glory of the stars and wondering why God cares about such an insignificant group of troublemakers, or at least that's what I often wonder. I have so often heard that this universe is so…
The immortal philosopher George Costanza once quipped, "I don't want hope. Hope is killing me. My dream is to become hopeless. When you're hopeless, you don't care, and when you don't care, that indifference makes you attractive."
Ahh, so true, and so hopeless! If there were no chance of living past this life, these words…
I suppose since I just returned from the Middle East and may return soon, my mind and my heart has been thinking of the issues that are happening there including the war in Gaza and the tension between Israel, Iran, and Lebanon. Though these conflicts are horrible, I am more concerned for our brothers and…
Change of regimes in business, sports teams or churches is always difficult, and I've often heard the term, 'Trust the Process,' which means "we stink right now, but if we keep doing the same thing, it will get better!" Isn't that the definition of insanity? Well when you apply it to a very broken world,…
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:14
In the season of our Savior's birth, we often reflect on the past…
If you've seen any news in the past 2 weeks, you know there is a war in the Middle East. Atrocities are occurring and fake news is everywhere. Not surprisingly, people are taking sides along ethnic and idealistic grounds, and the hate continues. But what should we do? What would Jesus Do? Well 2000 years…
Waiting is not my forte! I do love Eagles however. They are a beautiful animal, that represent a soaring freedom I'm drawn to. I've watched eagles in the wild soar to incredible heights and then swoop down onto a mountain lake to snatch their food from the unsuspecting fish that will soon be their lunch.…
"if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?"
1 John 3:17
I was recently assigned to preach out of James 5:1-6 last week. It…
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
2 Corinthians…