In every healthy succession of leadership a few things always remain the same. First, the commitment to the mission of the church. It was the timeless commission of Jesus that we would go into all the world and make disciples, teaching them to observe all that He...

With two and a half weeks left before Easter, we’re on a mission. To some shrinking extent, Easter remains a recognized religious holiday that many people observe. For thousands, it is the one day of the year they are open to attending a church service. Whatever the...

I’ve been asked that question more than a few times over the years. Sometimes it feels like a competition. How sacrificial are you, after all? Are you willing to give up coffee? Beer? M&M’s? Smoking? TV? Flying first class? Self-denial is good habit that can...

“You must have done something really wrong,” said a complete stranger as I climbed back into my truck. I was carrying several bundles of fresh cut flowers with plans to assemble an impressive bouquet for Lucy’s birthday. “Excuse me?” I asked. “Oh, you must have done...

Last fall I looked out my office window to see a man sprawled out on the lawn under the shadow of the Calvary Bible Church monument sign. I watched him for a few minutes to see if he was moving. He wasn’t. He had a backpack under his head and grocery bag next to him...

One of my all-time favorite friends volunteered in his retirement at a homeless shelter cooking meals, serving men and women whom life had wounded, heading home only after the kitchen was thoroughly cleaned and ready for tomorrow. I often wondered what he might say...

It’s over. Another election cycle in American history is in the books. Whew. The pendulum moved right but the sharp divide in our country remains cavernous. After months of contentious campaigning there is now talk of healing the nation. We can hope. But normally,...

Last week Lucy and I traveled to Utah to tour a couple national parks. At Arches National Park, we got on the trail early and ascended to the Delicate Arch, pictured below.  It was a glorious morning, taking in the sunrise and spectacular morning sky. The unique rock...

This summer when Lucy began her annual vegetable garden, she planted two poblano pepper plants in between the tomatoes. As the grand harvest approached the peppers looked considerably smaller than poblanos. In fact, they strongly resembled jalapenos, which was quickly...

Have you ever walked into a room, in your own house, and after staring around asked yourself, “What did I come in here for?” Or been in a conversation and said out loud, “I had one more thing I wanted to say but I can’t recall it at the moment.” Ok, maybe you haven’t,...