You were created a relational being. You were built for relationships. God designed you to love. Back in the 1990's, I led a week of church camp. One of the threads of the week was the need for healthy physical touches, primarily hugs. The research we cited revealed that humans need eight (8) meaningful, healthy … Continue reading Staying Connected While Physical Distancing
The other day, I stood on my deck and experienced the many signs of spring. A cardinal and a robin sang their respective songs. The crocus flowers were blooming as were the daffodils. In the energy of spring, there was a peace, a calm. While the natural world is bursting with life, the world of … Continue reading Peace in Uncertain Times
It is no secret one of my greatest strengths and weaknesses is my ability to see the best in people. It serves me well, but it also has come back to bite me on occasion. I will spare you the details, but one time I was blindsided by some friends. I trusted them. They undercut … Continue reading Forgiveness in the Messiness
There is a river in Africa called the Okavango. Unlike most rivers its waters never reach the ocean. The water simply is consumed by the Kalahari Desert. But before the desert drinks up all the water. There is a delta, The Okavango Delta, that creates a vast oasis that gives life to millions of animals … Continue reading An Oasis in the Chaos
What is your greatest hope for 2019? I have used this conversation started for the last few weeks. It has given me insight into people's lives. One young lady at the drive-thru responded, "I want to learn to drive." The conversation that followed revealed she was a single mom, wanting to get her GED so … Continue reading Peace Challenge
When my wife Beth and I were married. She came as a package deal. Her son was six years old. They had lived with her parents as she finished high school and then graduated from college. After the ring ceremony in our wedding, I gave Stephen a bracelet promising to love him and to become … Continue reading Fear Not!
Religion is all about behavior. The Kingdom of God is all about relationships. In His most famous sermon (The Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-7), Jesus teaches that righteousness is not right behavior; it is getting relationships right. In Matthew 5, He said our righteousness must exceed that of the religious elite. This was … Continue reading Faith Matters
In a management seminar one time, the leader asked if we had heard of the Golden Rule of Business, "He who holds the gold makes the rules." I get that. But Jesus' Golden Rule is about navigating life where relationships are the priority. Jesus' Golden Rule is found in Matthew 7:1-23. He shares it in the … Continue reading Love Matters
Several weeks ago, I had a teachable moment. I will spare you all the details. But what I came away with was the idea that Jesus was going to make me a "Fisher of men!" Okay, so I have been in vocational ministry for 30+ years. I have "led" hundreds of people to the Lord. … Continue reading Following Jesus and Inviting Others to Come Along
Growing up, I always enjoyed working in the garden with my mom. I caught the love for growing things from her. Today, at 83, she still loves her flowers. This love of growing things, has led me to always be intrigued by Jesus' teaching on seeds: The Parable of the Sower; The Parable of the … Continue reading Love God with all Your Soul
Inside HIS Grace 