The Gospel invites us to walk out the will of God. We can do that because of Jesus’ obedience to the Father’s will, to be the perfect Lamb Sacrifice. His obedience categorically crushed our disobedience. Not that we won’t on occasion slip, stub a toe, stumble, or fall, as we try to stay in step….
When Gift And Gift Giver Collide
It happens often, as I sit with God, listen, pray, and write my heart out, that He gives me an outpouring of ideas, creative and poetic phrases, even songs. But it rarely stops there, because something inside of me urges me to give it all back to him. When I do, I feel like a…
Old Words To Young Hearts
Julian of Norwich, an anchoress and prophetic voice to her generation said, “We are Christ’s bliss.” Think for a moment how deeply loved you are, more than any text would suggest, or theology argues. With this bliss from the right hand of God, we labor without thought of whether we have enough to go the…
The Three Who Stayed
The phrase, ‘the twenty who stayed’ keeps scrolling across my memory, those students who loitered in the presence of God at the end of the Asbury University chapel service, unable to do anything else. One said, she thought it was twenty minutes, but it turned into three hours. Worship, prayer, songs of deliverance, freedom for…
The Quester
In the formative years of my new faith, In His steps, byRobert Sheldon, challenged my idea of obedience. It seemed simple, andbiblical, that every morning I would greet the day with a simple question,‘what would Jesus do?’ It worked at first, but after a while, the driveto obey seemed to ebb. More recently, I’ve been…
The Quester-A Poem
The Quester finds a home By grinding out the plea The Face he seeks is meek Bent toward human need. Seated by deep waters Meadow sun-drenched spring, The offering He offers Sifted shadows bring. Down and under hear him sing The way feels hard and steep. In misery, He comes for me To a place…
Asbury Revival-Please Read Now!
It’s Saturday afternoon, and I’m at the café down the way, seated among a throng of younger people, some alone and brooding, and others smiling in conversation. I’ve just tuned into the live feed of the revival going on at Asbury College, now for the past week and a half. I’m participating from a vantage…
Laura’s story
The doctors had signed the paperwork. Officially, she was gone. My younger sister Laura had come to the hospital with a burst kidney, and during surgery her heart had stopped. This is Laura speaking: “I found myself kneeling before a figure wearing sandals, and I knew it was Jesus. In that moment I felt a…
Finding A Rest, That Rests-Part II
BEATING WEARY WITH LOVE Most of us would have to admit we rarely if ever find ourselves completely rested, though all of us long for it. We long for a child’s energy, waking up ready and raring to go, skipping to breakfast! Instead, we substitute deep rest for a preoccupation with over-filling our day. We…
Finding A Rest, That Rests
During a catch-up appointment with a young leader, I noticed how tired his eyes looked. Toward the end of our time, I asked him how he was doing. He responded that he was beat, having just passed through a rigorous season of travel and ministry. He had tried to take some time off, but things…
Hard-Wired, Fit For Heaven
It was my senior year, county championships, mile run. My coach had entered me because he said I might break the county record. My personal best was 15 seconds faster than any other runner in the field. On the starting line I leered at my competition, literally growled at them, saliva running onto my beard. …
A Sow Named Gertrude
There’s a sow who lives on my daughter Brianna’s farm named Gertrude. Because of her trim figure, she has avoided being a pork chop, and become a pet. A while back dogs attacked her and ran off with her ears. Yea, that’s right, her ears! Oh, don’t feel too sad for Gertrude, she’s still one…
To Sir, with love 