If you were asked, “What is love?” How would you answer? Many people think love is a desire or a feeling and that’s why we say, “I love chocolate cake!” But really we just want to eat it! When love is degraded into mere desire it’s no wonder people “fall” in and out of love…
Recently I became a “Papa”! This is me looking into the eyes our first grandchild Juliet Bella! What a heart-pumping and face-illuminating joy this is for Kristi and me! Yet, it’s not easy for us to make space in our calendars and to save energy in our bodies to give quality care to her. This…
“I will bless you… so that you will be a blessing.” In Genesis 12:2 God spoke these words to Abraham and, in doing so, laid out a principle for those of us four thousand years later who have chosen to live with Jesus as our Shepherd. Think about blessings God has given you… and how…
One Sunday morning Argentinian Pastor Juan Carlos Ortiz stood up to preach and looked out at his congregation of about a thousand people. He smiled, “Love one another… Love one another…” (John 13:34-35, 15:12) The best-selling author of Disciple made eye contact with the people throughout his church. Then he went back to his seat…
The best and most helpful book you’ll find on leadership has never been on a best-seller list. It was written way back 1896 by a famous South African pastor and teacher. It’s only only 76 pages long, but it’s chock full of inspiring Biblical wisdom. It trumps all the highly touted successful leadership strategies of our day —…
The people around you need a spiritual leader who helps them connect with Christ. In our TLC retreat program we teach this to pastors and ministry leaders.
Kristi and I are still basking in the delightful glow of our son’s wedding. This picture shows David carrying Brianne into the reception! Have you ever thought about your relationship with Jesus as being like “falling in love”? That may seem like infatuation or an inappropriate way to think of our relationship with God. But the Apostle…
In an hour of solitude this morning I was praying for God to help me love someone who I’ve felt hurt by. This has been a wrestling for many months. Jesus teaches us, “Bless those who curse you… Give to those who ask of you… Be merciful [with others] just as your Father is merciful…
In the later years of high school I learned about Brother Lawrence’s classic book Practicing the Presence of God. Immediately I was won over to the beauty and goodness of a life devoted to praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). But he was a monk from the 17th Century! Could an ordinary person like me in the modern…
We all want to succeed in some way. We strive to accomplish great things in our work or for our relationships to be healthier and happier. Or we may pursue more knowledge, attractiveness, or wealth. Often we seek success for God or others without realizing how much we’re really trying to build up own ego. We’d be wise…