The Lost Art Of Really Listening

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”  James 1:19 I have this very vivid memory of a particular gym class during my elementary school years.  The physical ed. teacher declared that it was “free gym day”, which meant a bunch of high-wired […]

Rural Dreams: Transitioning From Big City To Small Town Ministry

Sharing with you all an article I wrote for the Gospel Coalition during my time in Canada. I hope it will be helpful as we consider our approach to ministry cross culturally. MAY 27, 2018 I sat motionless on my sofa as I watched Kris Bryant, the Chicago Cubs third baseman make a play on […]

Faith Expressed Through Obedience

“Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” Genesis 22:5 I stepped into chapel feeling spiritually and emotionally sunken.  The student worship band had already began their first set as I shuffled around lethargically for a seat […]

Tarrying In The Tent Of Divine Intimacy

“When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent”Exodus 33:11 Crisis can have a very clarifying effect upon the human heart. A Common ConcernMany church leaders today share a common concern.  They wonder if the present pandemic will prove to have […]

What Do You Have In Your Hand?

The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.”Exodus 4:2 It was a bright and cloudless morning.As Leah and I waited for the doors of the elevator to open and to step into a  new chapter of life, we carried a common anxiety.  This would be our very first day […]

The Power of a Praying Mother

Augustine of North AfricaFew people have the kind of far-reaching influence for the cause of Christ as the man famously called, “Augustine of Hippo” (modern-day Algeria).  To this great defender of the faith, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude.  Augustine’s spiritual depth and insight shines bright in his timeless works , “The Confessions”  and “The […]