My 70th birthday was filled with family, joy, and the deep presence of God. But in the quiet moments before and after the celebration, I wrestled honestly with fear, faith, and the road ahead. One week before surgery, I want to share what’s in my heart—and the peace I’ve found in God's presence. This past…Read more Turning 70, Trusting God, and Treasuring the Journey: Week 4 A Pastor’s Cancer Diagnosis
christianity
Monday Meditation 2026-06-16
"I have never met anyone anywhere like Francis Schaeffer, who took God so passionately seriously, people so passionately seriously, and truth so passionately seriously." Os Guiness That quote has touched me so deeply. It resonates within me like a the sounding of a bell. I so want that to be true of my life and…Read more Monday Meditation 2026-06-16
Finished Well!
The picture above is of one my good friends, Randy Stokes, and the best networker I have known. Wednesday evening, before our midweek service at Woodland Church, I called Randy. We talked about his sister's upcoming funeral on Friday of this week, his health, his family, his job, and future. Before we finished our call,…Read more Finished Well!
Reading the Bible this Year
The rewards of reading the Bible in community is growing in our knowledge of God together. Throughout the year, we will discover promises, prophecies, peace, and direction together. Individually we will grow, but we will also grow as brothers, sisters, and friends. Remember that God calls us together into a kingdom. Let me invite you…Read more Reading the Bible this Year
Celebrating Faith: Baptism and Holiday Cheer
Christianity is a joyful faith! Jesus speaks of the gift of fullness of joy! This Sunday was an especially joyful day of celebrating God's love through music, worship, prayer, generosity, Communion, the sermon on joy, and the baptism of eight people. Our church family was blessed as each of those baptized briefly shared a bit…Read more Celebrating Faith: Baptism and Holiday Cheer
Happy Sabbath #2
It is a pleasant surprise for a pastor when a Sunday morning message strikes a chord with so many. The message Sunday about Sabbath Rest has sparked conversations every day this week. A common summary of the comments reveals that most of us have not seen Sabbath as the grace gift that it is. There…Read more Happy Sabbath #2
Happy Sabbath!
When the Hebrews were delivered from slavery in Egypt, God gave these former slaves a gift that their taskmasters would have never thought of. The gift of one day of rest for worship, family, and re-creation. From the beginning of creation God gave us a unique gift of a week with one day specifically designed…Read more Happy Sabbath!
A Big and Blessed Imagination
I was looking at the cross in the sanctuary this morning with joy and confidence. God’s love demonstrated in Christ’s laying down His life for our sins. He gives us boldness to pray with a Holy Spirit inspired imagination. His resurrection confirms the glorious plan of God that delights angels and Christians alike. When I…Read more A Big and Blessed Imagination
STRAITJACKETS
Father Brown is the creation of G. K. Chesterton, a kind, but quirky and a well-meaning priest with a detective's heart. Recently, I discovered there is a BBC television series about Father Brown. In the episode, I watched recently, Father Brown was placed in a straitjacket in order to erase his memories. They villains feared…Read more STRAITJACKETS
Grace and Peace
I was justified by works, but certainly not by own works. “Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.” (Galatians 1:4, NLT) “He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but…Read more Grace and Peace
Coram Deo 