It is so easy to become too comfortable or at least used to a tough situation. I remember as my first deployment to Iraq was coming to an end and having a bit of anxiety about leaving. I had arrived several months earlier. One day I am with my family at home with all the security and comfort that goes along with it, then 40 hours later to living and working in the “Green Zone” in downtown Baghdad....  Read More

"If I fail to reaffirm my helplessness daily, then yesterday's victory will lead me to today's defeat."  - Steve Curington This quote lives rent free in my brain, and has since I heard it almost 10 years ago. Today as I was researching for my devotional it popped into my brain once again. I think it is very easy to slip into the mindset that we are in control, that we have it all together, or that...  Read More

Through the work of Jesus, we have access to God the Father! Without the cross, without the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, there is an un-crossable chasm between us and God. BUT… through Jesus, that gap has been closed, and the way has been made for us to “go to God”. To go to God with our hurts, with our needs, with our struggles, with our pain, and with our praise.   Because we are broken and...  Read More

Hope is a powerful word. When all seems lost, hope believes that there is a chance for success, victory, restoration, healing, and many other life-changing goals. I have been in several situations over the years as a pastor where there seemed to be no hope for a marriage, a salvation need, or change of direction, etc. Then, God “showed up” in a person’s life, and the rest is history. Now, that per...  Read More

Main Point and Overview:    The coming murder of Jesus would cause the corrupt culture to celebrate, while his disciples would mourn. It seemed like all hope was lost. The popular words that we sing in Death was Arrested come to mind: “Our savior displayed on a criminal's cross. Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost. But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand. That's when death was arrest...  Read More

 Have you ever had a scary dream where you found yourself walking on a cold concrete floor down a long dimly lit corridor and you sense that you are being watched, you feel so restricted, the tensions mount, there is no one to help you and no way out. And whew, what a relief, you wake up and realize that it’s just a bad dream.  For many, it’s not a bad dream, it’s real life, and it’s worse than th...  Read More