I had a conversation a number of years ago with my good friend Bucky Dennis. We were taking a prayer walk together and I was wrestling with a decision; I was anxious about choosing the “right” path. Bucky listened with great compassion and when I ran out of words he told me a story he’d…
For a number of years now as Christmas approaches I’ve been doing an Advent meditation that’s a great blessing! I ask the Holy Spirit to help me pick a Bible character from the Christmas story to companion during advent. In addition to the Gospel accounts of the events surrounding the birth of Christ, I’ve used…
The ocean waves keep flowing in on the beach here at Ko Olina. (Thanks to an anniversary gift Kristi and I are in Hawaii!) I love to watch them roll in, one after the other, and come crashing into shore, splashing and spraying. I love to listen to them all day and night. Near the…
It was Monday morning. I meditated on Scripture for a few minutes, sang a Psalm, and said some prayers. As I was finishing my breakfast I felt the pull to get going on my work. But I also sensed Jesus was calling to me: “Come to me in my garden of delights.” So I stepped…
Learning to discern God’s voice is vital to our life and ministry. But hearing God speak is not like using a vending machine! It’s part of growing in a conversational relationship with him. All relationships have natural ebbs and flows. In our most important relationships we probably experience times of enjoying intimacy and times of…
It seems like everyday I talk with someone who needs to hear God’s voice. “How do I help my family in this situation?” people ask. Students and others in career transition pray, “Lord, are you calling me into ministry?” In the course of our lives we need to make choices about marriage, job, where to…
From the Old Testament kings and prophets we learn that it’s by listening to God that we live. To listen to God is not about hearing with our ears, but obeying with our heart. Usually God speaks in a whisper to our heart and if we’re listening that’s enough to restore our souls — that’s how powerful God’s Word is!
I love it when people ask me, “How can I best support my pastor?” I love this question because caring for pastors and their spouses is the heartbeat of Soul Shepherding. My answer will surprise you: When you listen to the pastor’s message don’t critique it. Instead, ask yourself, “What is God saying to me?”…
In Psalm 29 David praises the God of glory whose voice thunders over the waters and flashes like lightening. Like the waves of the sea God speaks with crashing authority and soothing gentleness at the same time. When God speaks proud cedars fall and little calves skip with joy. Skip with Joy in God’s Presence! We…
Listen! God is speaking. Sunshine after a rain. It reminds me that when we slow down and look up to God, his bright thoughts can enter our minds to help us walk in his bright ways (Isaiah 55:9, paraphrase). Listening to God makes everything better—even if we at the time we don’t hear specific words—because…