Fresh heart for the journey
Since the world-transforming virus first appeared over the horizon, things have gotten absolutely and breathtakingly crazy! It has ushered in changes in most areas of our lives. We’ve worn masks, quit talking to each other, become suspicious of any news we hear. There has been an elevation of wickedness, hateful acts done without apparent […]
Ever felt like there’s a bullseye on the front and back of your shirt and Satan is holding the bow and arrows? While the media and many politicians are busy switching price tags… claiming that wrong is now right and right is absolutely wrong – claiming it’s illegal to kill an endangered animal while […]
In October of 1971 I boarded a Pan Am 747 in what was then called Saigon for the return flight home from Viet Nam. I had escorted eight Teen Challenge graduates to join ranks with the Army’s Deft (Drug Education Field Teams) program. They were to lend their stories of the effects of drugs […]
“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it.” Isaiah 30:15 NLT All of us who rush feverishly through life like the sound of this command… we just don’t like it enough to […]
I was asked once, “What’s the loudest voice in your life right now?” I could answer it this way: It’s the cacophony of a massive orchestra featuring blaring trumpets of lawlessness, screeching violins of differing opinions, the tubas blasting out anarchy and rebellion, the quiet clarinets feeding false information and the devil banging and […]
Mercy comes to us when we need forgiveness and can’t pay for it. As the songwriter reminded, God’s grace is amazing! It’s a gift we don’t deserve but desperately need. We absolutely cannot save ourselves from the penalty of our sinful lives, but God’s mercy covers those sins and welcomes us into […]
You’ve heard religious leaders called “Your holiness.” But when we address our Heavenly Father we call Him “our holiness.” Even if that earthly leader is holy, he has no way of making us holy. We live in a polluted world filled with alluring voices issuing calls to leave moral standards behind and join with others […]
“…and he was called a friend of God.” James 2:23 ESV I had an epiphany early one recent morning. Sitting on the swing on our front porch, I was observing a particularly bright star beginning to lose its intensity by the coming of the sun. As I observed and marveled at the change from night […]
Back in the ‘dark ages’ when I was in Bible School I noticed a peculiar thing take place every day in the cafeteria. No matter the weight or dimension of a person going through the line to get their food… every person received the very same portion. That was fine for the 100 pound […]
“Jesus said, “You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.” John 9:2,3 MSG We love ‘cause and effect’ answers to our questions. There are always people and ideas to blame when our lives are disheveled and out of […]
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.