Fresh heart for the journey
“Be merciful to me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.” Psalm 86:3 KJV Often we let grace cover our inconsistency in prayer. We assume a “Que sera, sera/What will be, will be” attitude instead of regularly praying as if something happens when we pray that will not happen if we do […]
It’s easy to lose stuff on a trip. We leave toothbrushes on hotel sinks, shirts behind doors, credit cards on counters and embarrassingly an occasional child at a vacation gas stop. But it pretty much happens to everyone (except maybe the kid at the gas stop)! I once lost my balance on a trip […]
“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you […]
Turn around and look behind you. Go ahead … look back as far as you’re able. What’s back there? Can you at least recall the highlights (or lowlights!) You may remember getting your tonsils out … your best friend in grade school. You may recall family vacations and summer camp and VBS. You may […]
“He (God) determines the course of world events; he removes kings and sets others on the throne. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he himself is surrounded by light.” Daniel 2:21,22 New Living Translation […]
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31,32 NLT “I’m not mad at anyone!” I came to this realization yesterday while […]
Sometimes we just need to start over! In the one summer that I gave myself to learning to play golf, I loved the word ‘Mulligan.’ It meant that when my tee shot didn’t go anywhere near my intended direction (which was almost always …) the ‘Mulligan Rule’ would kick in and I’d be given […]
“When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.” Isaiah 59:19 NKJV We don’t walk through life unopposed! While it’s true that at times we are our own worst enemy, Scripture makes it quite clear that we have life-long opposition from Satan. At times he piggybacks […]
One of the biggest miracles any of us need in our lives is to see ourselves as God sees us. Did you know your mirror lies? Not just mirrors at the fair, but your mirror at home. You can look at your image and see things that aren’t there and miss things that are. […]
“Our greatest ministry is the presence we bring to others from having been with Jesus.” Since all of us are theologically and practically ‘in the ministry’ we could all learn an important lesson from this statement. Whether we teach school, fix cars, work in IT, are retired or take a salary from work within […]
I am a pastor, teacher, and encourager. I am a happy husband and leader of a family tribe now numbering 13. I am President of Fresh Heart Ministries and consider called of God to help you grow in your spiritual walk … let you know how special you are to God … and have some fun while doing so.