Ministry Begins With Rest
We’ve been providing care, counsel, and prayer to pastors and other servants of Christ for a number of years. One of the most important things…
What God’s Voice Sounds Like
One night when we were in college, as Bill and I (Kristi) were eating basketfuls of tortilla chips at a restaurant, he shared about a…
Real Faith Has Real Feelings
In my late 20’s I was like the woman of the old Enjoli perfume commercial who sings, “I can bring home the bacon, fry it…
Trying to Grow My Church Drained My Soul
“As a senior pastor I was trying to be someone I was not,” writes Pete Scazzero. “I attended conferences and read books about growing a…
A Free Gift! Jesus’ Abba For You!
In a few months, I’m going to be a “Papa!” Our daughter Jennie is pregnant with a baby girl! This is helping Kristi and me…
Jesus’ “Easy Yoke” is Unhurried — Especially at Christmas!
As Christmas approaches it seems we have to go faster and faster! How can we be unhurried? The traffic keeps getting worse. The lines in…
Contemplating God in the Beauty of Nature
A primary way God nourishes our souls with his loving presence is through the beauty of nature. The face of the Lord shines on us…
Relaxed. In December?!
As we celebrate the Prince of Peace we may get robbed of peace! What a tragic irony that would be! Let’s resist the cultural swirl…
Is God a “She”?
Recently, a friend secretly prayed to God as his Mother. “My church wouldn’t understand,” he lamented. What do you think? Is it important to view…
Giving Thanks for a Light in the Dark (Psalm 88)
We all have times we don’t feel thankful. Maybe we’re depleted, detached, despairing. Maybe God feels far away. What do you do then? A pastor…
Even in Church We’re Not Safe From Gunmen?
One Sunday in a small town church families are worshiping God together with children playing and dancing happily. The next Sunday a madman shoots half…
Triangulating Hurts You and Your Loved Ones
Many families and groups are built on unhealthy “triangles” of three-way relationships that harm people and create dysfunction. It’s a simple concept, that once we…