holiness

Dazed and confused

There are a lot of memories from my time as a youth pastor that always bring a smile to my face. Seeing students accept Jesus and go on to live for Him certainly is a blessing. But there are also the not so spiritual memories. Lock-ins were an event that always created memories. They followContinue reading “Dazed and confused”

They overcame him

Someone says a mean comment, or does something to harm another person, the question is always, “why?” There are people who will answer, “the devil made me do it.” Many of these times are friends or family members having fun with one another. However, I have also heard the phrase “the devil made me doContinue reading “They overcame him”

Topical treatment

Sports fans understand the power of belief. No matter what sports team you follow, except for Cleveland fans, as a new season approaches there is belief that this year’s team will be different, and that breathes hope. Often, this belief will holdout even when all indications suggest hope should be abandoned. Yet belief holds onContinue reading “Topical treatment”

Bubble busters

There is a two-sided coin to ministry. On one side you see lives transformed by the power of Jesus Christ. The joy of seeing a mom and dad in tears as a wayward child, they have so desperately have been praying for, surrenders to Christ. Seeing new people walk through the doors of the churchContinue reading “Bubble busters”

Game changers

Moses got in trouble with God, his punishment was not being allowed to enter the Promised land. As the time approached for the people to take possession, Moses goes to them with some words from the LORD. Those words can be found in the Old Testament book called Deuteronomy. The word “Deuteronomy” derived from aContinue reading “Game changers”

Words

Some situations are terrible. There are no other words, and even the word “terrible” seems to fail in conveying the intensity of the moment. Darkness has swelled to the point where it has blocked out the sky and all the sunlight, leaving you alone with nothing but grief and hurt. Food, friends, and even wordsContinue reading “Words”

Pick me

Commercials, they are either a mercy that brings joy during a lifeless ballgame or a supreme annoyance that disrupts dramatic moments, leaving us trapped in suspense. However, some ads are so good that they etch themselves into our brains. They hypnotize our minds so much that when we see certain colors or objects, hear sounds,Continue reading “Pick me”

Domesticated sacrifice

What if you had to face a tiger? Pretend you get kidnapped by a psychopathic clown because you taunted him about his terrible balloon animals. He has a plan to dispose of you by feeding you to a tiger. But for some reason the clown asks if you would rather be taken to a tigerContinue reading “Domesticated sacrifice”

Confidently approach

God loves you. He knows everything about you, every thought that runs through your mind and deepest intentions of your mind. Not only does God love you, He has beckoned you to forgiveness of sin and freedom from sin through the power in Christ’s blood. One step more, God loves you and wants you toContinue reading “Confidently approach”

A welcoming church

A welcoming church does not want to see you as a stat on the attendance sheet, but a person set ablaze by God’s radical love.