2 Corinthians 8:1-5“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privil...  Read More

Go back to the moment in time when you got saved. I recall that moment as if it was only yesterday. It was a truly a moment of I wasn’t saved to being a child of God: a follower of Christ. You don’t just ease into your salvation. It is a lucid moment of deliberate decision. When Christ reveals himself, clearing the fog of sin, and forcing you to make a choice. Accept or deny.   Paul had been in As...  Read More

When I was a kid, I remember going with my parents to the RV dealership. I knew well in advance this was going to be one of the most boring days of my life. Walking in and out of campers until they found the perfect one (not knowing if they would or not), then having to sit in a chair as they filled out all the paperwork. I was already wanting the day to pass, but things took a change for good whe...  Read More

This is a full confessional, so allow me the space to be real and transparent. Since mid-December my family has been put through “the ringer”. Walking pneumonia took all of us out for several weeks, I am sure you can recall a time when a sickness worked its way from one family member to the next, that was a nasty few weeks. In that time, there was family fall out, which has continued to cause prob...  Read More

 22 years… What has carried, what has kept, what has allowed for and instilled perseverance in my heart and soul? Has it been my own “goodness”? Has It been my ability to make the “right” choices? Is it my character? Has it been because of my family? My pastoral persona? My own strength? It cannot be so. It most certainly is not MY grip on God that has made the difference, but his grip on me. It i...  Read More

The other day I was looking through my youth ministry scrapbooks reminiscing of all that God has done in my life. As I saw each picture, it brought back incredible memories of relationships that I have built over the years. From serious to silly, there are so many experiences that I will never forget. In many ways, youth ministry shaped me to be the lead pastor that I am today. Then, it happened a...  Read More