Max Lucado tells the story of a grandmother encouraging him during a Half Ironman triathlon. After a 1.2-mile swim and a 56-mile bike ride, he still had a 13.1-mile run ahead of him. Along the route, he found himself beside a man who “had more complaints than a taxpayer at the IRS.” Realizing the man’s…Read more Becoming a Builder-Upper
God Comforts Us so We can Comfort Others
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NLT) I haven’t felt much like writing these past few days. The health challenges I’m currently facing…Read more God Comforts Us so We can Comfort Others
Berries, Communion, and Grace
I had just come home after my own stay at the University of Michigan Hospital. I had been there for seven days. Then, I went to see an elderly friend in comfort care. It struck me before I even sat down, how familiar this room felt. We had laughed, ate lunch, made pictures, and worshiped…Read more Berries, Communion, and Grace
Grace and Pain brings Opportunities
Psalm 30:2 — “O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.” Last Friday morning, I awoke at 2:15 a.m. in intense pain and overwhelming nausea. I quietly slipped downstairs so I wouldn’t wake my family. For the next several hours, the pain would not ease, nor would the…Read more Grace and Pain brings Opportunities
Hospital Grace
Even in the middle of hospital rooms, procedures, and medical decisions, God continues to reveal His grace in quiet and unexpected ways. Admittedly, even in pain, I did not want to come back to the hospital. My wise wife called and they said, “Come now.” After triage and several “clicks” of morphine, I was grateful.…Read more Hospital Grace
Promises Define Us!
Promises My promises define who I am. I have made promises to my beautiful wife, Rebekah, to our family, to our church, and to our community. I make those promises because of the promise God has made to us—a promise He has faithfully kept. In Scripture, God calls His promises covenants. To illustrate the power and…Read more Promises Define Us!
Devoted to Prayer for the Middle East Tonight!
Before learning early this morning about the President’s military strike involving Iran, I had spent time meditating on this verse from Scripture: “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”—Colossians 4:2 It felt as though God had gently prepared my heart for the news of the day. Almost immediately, I sensed…Read more Devoted to Prayer for the Middle East Tonight!
The Grace of Being Present: A Pastor’s Reflection of Recovering from Cancer
Sunday morning, I slipped in as quietly as possible. I worshiped with our church family in person for the first time since my second surgery for colon cancer. About an hour before the service, I made the decision to go. Becky had been at church for nearly an hour already. She did not know I…Read more The Grace of Being Present: A Pastor’s Reflection of Recovering from Cancer
Happy Valentine’s Day
Just a few minutes ago, I asked a couple what they were doing for Valentine’s Day. He gave a sheepish grin. She smiled and said, “He forgot to book a restaurant—but I didn’t expect him to remember.” Without missing a beat, he added, “I’m going to grab some steaks and put them on the grill…Read more Happy Valentine’s Day
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 Fearfully and wonderfully made. Those words should leave us in awe. Awe is that deep, humbling awareness that we are standing before something far greater than ourselves—something so wondrous it quiets us, and so…Read more Fearfully and Wonderfully Made