Many people are not by nature risk takers. In church leadership, the word risk is nearly a curse word. Some will do anything and everything to keep from taking a risk. When God was looking for our first parents, He asked a question: “Adam where are you?” God asked not because He didn’t know where Adam was, He asked the question to see if Adam…
Read MoreDisruption and Faith
My grandfather was a proud union member. He drove Chevys. My grandmother would wash clothes with Tide detergent only. You could say they were brand loyal. He never considered any other automobile brand nor she a different laundry detergent. They believed they had the right product and they would be faithful supporters their entire lives. This idea of loyalty carried over into many areas of their lives. My…
Read MoreThe Majority Is Not Always Correct
I recently addressed a senior adult group. I preached from the passage of Scripture in the book of Joshua. The story of Caleb who along with Joshua were apart of the 12 spies who scoped out the land of Canaan that God had promised His people. Ten of the spies came back with a negative report. The giants are big, really big. Yes, it is true what Joshua and Caleb…
Read MoreSuddenly There Was a Storm
Matthew 8:24-26 Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea so that the waves engulfed the boat, but Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord save us! We are perishing!” “You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “Why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was hushed. I was struck the other day by a simple word: suddenly! The word…
Read MoreA dream revisited: 70 New Starts
Three years ago in Champaign Illinois while attending a new start, starting new churches conference. Dr. Jim Kraemer taught the sessions that I attended. As he dismissed us with the assignment of presenting our plans to start a new church, he made an interesting statement: if you go back to your room and spend time with the Lord, he will talk to you. I was just a few…
Read MoreThe Love of God and the Steadfastness of Christ..
This year I am once again reading through the Bible. Today’s New Testament passage was taken from 2 Thessalonians 3:5 “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” (ESV) Paul reminds the church that we need the Lord to direct our hearts. As Paul refers to the heart, he is not speaking of the blood pumping muscle in our chests, but…
Read MoreThe Changing Seasons
I I have spent most of my life in the part of the United States that experiences seasons. When you live where I do you have a front row seat to the changing seasons. Whether I desire it or not, all around me I see the change that transpires as the seasons come and go. Each season has its beauty, even though each of us have our favorite season. Spring…
Read MorePlaying it safe
One of our biggest problems, is that many have an overwhelming desire to play it safe. Safety worship may be the idol of the hour. Safety is an illusion. Many of us are more cautious by nature. I was pastoring in metro Detroit when the last major economic crisis struck. You talk about fear, fear was everywhere. My congregation had quite a few employees in the auto industry. They were…
Read MoreA Walk along the Beach
For the past two week I have walked along the beach at least twice a day, most days a few more times. My intent is not to brag that I was able to leave central Indiana for a couple of weeks and vacation in paradise. Nor, is my intent to complain about the part of the world I live in, this morning I walked several county roads in the…
Read MoreIs Anything Too Hard For The Lord?
Is Anything too Hard For the Lord? This statement from the Bible is a question to ponder. If you are a person of faith, you will feel that you are being forced to answer in the affirmative. How could I ever disagree with a Scripture? This question is one that cannot be answered, the answer is apparent. It might be called a rhetorical question. If God is…
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