Almighty God, You reign. You are sovereign over us, over all the earth, over the times and places of all people, and sovereign over elections. The Psalmist thundered: “The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all” (Psalm 103:19). Though we cast votes, Your purposes aren’t thwarted by votes.…
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The Scriptures call God’s people to do works of justice. The prophet Micah declared, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). The prophet Jeremiah adds, “This is what…
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I love my people so much. My joyful role as their shepherd/pastor/overseer is to expose and protect them from false teachers and false teaching. I take this very seriously. In fact, I took the opportunity to address a heresy this weekend labeled progressive christianity. You can watch or listen here. This heresy actually dates back…
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Satisfy my soul. “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” Psalm 90:14 If my soul is satisfied in Christ, I will not seek to satisfy it with sin, accomplishments, people’s validation or approval. So, help me, God. Open my eyes to…
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“Typically, a Bible that is falling apart belongs to someone who isn’t,” said somebody. I like it. So let’s chat about Scripture and daily devotions with God. Often, Jesus withdrew to be alone with the Father in prayer (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16). While there, Jesus prayed that we would be sanctified by God’s Word (John…
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The hours are ticking down to a new year and a new decade! Whether 2019 was a good year or bad year, let it go. Mourn or celebrate then bid 2019 adieu. A new year and decade are before you. Here are a few thoughts to launch strong into 2020 and beyond. * Be Creative.…
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A few weeks ago, Christie was at an event while I was home with the kids. Later that afternoon, I made a pizza run. About a mile away I got a call. While playing outside, my nine-year-old daughter, Jubilee, went into a seizure. One of my other kids was alone with her when it happened…
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The auto-correct on my phone once tried to change the word “minister” to “monster.” Funny, yet sobering. It gave me pause. It gives me pause now. Ministry is tough. Pastoring is, at times, a monster itself. Peter Drucker, the late leadership guru and author of The Effective Executive, once shared what he believed to be…
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My grandmother Lockhart died decades ago a lover of Jesus. One morning her close friend, Ms. Velma, called my mom to tell her of a dream. She dreamed my grandmother walked out of her house onto a huge stage at a Christian concert. She was as beautiful as an angel, the star performer, and sang…
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I’ve had it all wrong. Many well-meaning motivational speakers, best-selling authors, teachers, and preachers have had it wrong. Let me explain. I live with the threat of clinical depression crushing me at any moment. I pray, meditate on Scripture, experience community, take medication, see a therapist, eat clean, exercise, and do my best to get…
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Sexual abuse in the local church… It’s sickening that such words are in the same sentence. Sadly, this isn’t breaking news anymore. In fact, we recently learned of another scandal with the Catholic Church, the sexual abuse of nuns. This on top of the years of reports of sexual abuse by priests and the cover-up…
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It often takes me a while to respond to current events that shake our culture.. I try to understand all views best I can and then process and pray on it until I feel ready to contribute to the fall-out. First, I’d ask you to please read my post, “Of Politics and Presidents: A Letter…
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Sitting in the doctor’s office the other day, I came across a National Geographic Magazine piece titled, “The Story of a Face.” Joanna Connors writes: “We are born seeking faces. Newborns turn toward them during their first moments out of the womb. Babies observe, respond to, and mimic our expressions as though it’s their job.…
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My prayer life takes on certain patterns and themes at times. Lately, I’ve noticed specific “pleadings” surface repeatedly. God’s answered some more than others. Some barely at all. Or not at all. But I pray on. Here are 7 ways I’m pleading with God right now. Hope it serves you. Stir me. When I sit…
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When my boys were younger they loved to wrestle. Sometimes in the middle of combat, I’d playfully take their hands saying, “Don’t hit yourself, don’t hit yourself.” They giggled to tears. They soon did the same thing to me! Sounds a lot like life. We “hit ourselves” or beat ourselves up over our deficiencies and…
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