Fresh heart for the journey
“And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 NIV Jesus is not talking to children here … they’re already child-like. It’s we adults, who are apparently missing out on the unique characteristics of being children. And truth […]
Being a follower of Jesus is an honor and privilege. Being a serious disciple adds joy, but also brings some challenges. The original disciples found their lives took on meaning by their association with Jesus. They enjoyed those years traveling with Jesus during his growing popularity. They were in the center of national news! But […]
Victory is God’s to give … you are to stand strong in faith! “Day and night I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying, “Where is this God of yours?” Psalm 42:3 NLT Oh, the taunts! The discrediting of God. The snide innuendoes to his apparent irrelevance and powerlessness! We […]
“Let’s get free of God! Psalm 2:3 MSG There is upheaval on the planet! The kingdoms of this world have chosen to take on God’s eternal Kingdom and its followers. We’re living out the skirmish every day, through every newscast and the actions of people setting their sights on an overthrow. Our King’s […]
Question #3 “Do you believe I can do this?” Matthew 9:28 NIV “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31 NIV Scripture makes it abundantly clear that God is serious about gaining our trust … to truly believe that He is trustworthy. God’s patience with our learning curve is […]
There are journeys of our faith that push us past the point of turning back. And while a bit frightening to us, they always give God an opportunity to stretch us and teach us about trust. Let’s say you’ve been motivated by God’s Spirit to repair a broken relationship. You feel you are to […]
” … the tide of battle runs strongly against me, for so many are fighting me … ” Psalm 55:18 TLB “God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.” – Augustine Pastor Rick Warren states: “God never wastes a hurt.” And that’s really good news because we have […]
Author John Powell tells a rather poignant personal story about his mother’s last days. Each evening at bedtime he would carry her up a flight of stairs to her bed. Invariably, as he began to climb with her in his arms, she would reach out and grab the banister. “Mother” he would gasp “don’t do […]
“Spiritual Jitters”: a temporary condition brought on by reduced trust. This results in high blood pressure, tremors, racing heart rate and often questions without reasonable answers. Only known antidote is renewed trust. Picture the disciples, observers to miracle after miracle. They had seen blind eyes open before their astonished eyes. They had seen demons […]
What do you do when what you have isn’t enough? How do you move forward when paralyzed with fear? How do you give generously out of an almost empty cupboard? What keeps you smiling when everything is falling apart? When you’re asked for an answer and you don’t even understand the question, what are you […]
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.