Regardless of what happened yesterday, you and I get a new day today. If you are going through a hard place that may not sound like a good thing, but it really is incredibly good news. The writer of Lamentations gives us a wonderful inspired reminder: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23) In these two verse…
Read MoreThank you, Pastor
If I were to start a Hall of Fame, I would start a “Pastors” Hall of fame. I have known many pastors who could be inducted on the first ballot. Not only would I include my pastors from my early years, but pastors and staff members I have met down through the years! How is it that pastors have such an impact? Often the only non-family member who is with…
Read MoreJust Call
I came across a familiar verse in Jeremiah 33:3 a couple of days ago. ‘Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Our Heavenly Father gives us a wonderful reminder. Call. All of us at one time or the other, have been reminded not to forget to make specific calls. There are reminders to call mom and a host of others…
Read MoreHelp IN Time of Trouble
Psalm 46 is a psalm where I have turned when I have needed encouragement. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” A refuge means like as a shelter or protection from danger or distress.” Finding refuge is like finding a place of safety in a time of a storm, or finding a place of security and comfort during a time of difficulty. How happy one is to find…
Read MorePlans, ideas, and consultations without God!
Reading the 30th chapter of Isaiah today did not sound so much like the ancient world as it reminded me of the world today: 30 “Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the Lord,“to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin;2 who go down to Egypt without consulting me;who look for help to Pharaoh’s protection, to Egypt’s shade for refuge. Security is something all humans long for, so…
Read MoreA New Day
Throughout our lives, there are moments when we experience something ‘new.’ It could be a new job, opportunity, challenge, relationship, or project, to name a few. At times they are the result of planning and pursuit; other times, they come without much thought or planning. Often they are received positively, and sometimes we are not entirely sure if we are excited about the new opportunity. Today I am going to…
Read MoreLeading When You Are Not In Charge
Many find themselves in places where they are not the ones in charge of decision-making and other leadership responsibilities. I want to give you a couple of simple reminders. You are a leader! You must lead yourself. You are and can make a difference. However, you may not be able to determine the direction of an entire organization. You still have influence. You must always be involved in making a…
Read MoreI am convinced
The Apostle Paul gives voice to a heartfelt conviction in Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This statement from Paul does not come from the board room or…
Read MoreI have nothing, except
I love the story found in 1 Kings 17, as in response to Ahab’s wicked reign, God sends a famine. God sends Ravens to provide food for Elijah, and he drinks from a nearby brook. One day the stream runs dry, and God instructs Elijah to travel to another area, and there he will find a widow who will provide him with food. Upon arrival in the area, Elijah finds…
Read MoreWhat do you see? Be honest!
There is a pretty amazing story found in the eighth chapter of the Gospel of Mark: 22They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” 24He looked up and said,…
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