“When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll, Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught be to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.”  These lyrics by Horatio G. Spafford were birthed out of hardship.

Our response to the difficult situations and circumstances of life are in direct proportion to our...

When you think of the role of the Holy Spirit, what descriptive words might you use?  Convicts; purifies; empowers; reveals; teaches; helps; directs; comforts; heals; unifies -might be a few!   Jesus told us, His followers, that it was needful for Him to ascend back to His Heavenly Father so that He could send the Holy Spirit - the third person of the Trinity!  The Holy Spirit is a person, not an it!   The Holy Spirit continues to...

Becky and I visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.  It is the largest privately owned home in America.  Built in 1895, after having taken six years to complete.  George W. Vanderbilt invested his time, talent and money to create the finest in architecture, landscape and interior design.  Mr. Vanderbilt liked to travel and during his travels he collected furnishings and artwork from around the world.  He also loved books (man after my own heart), and had 23,000 in his personal library.  Words and pictures fall short to the magnitude of this family estate.  I say all that to say this, ...

I am thankful for the family of God.  I have been privileged to be a part of the Lord’s work in several different congregations now - each one, very special and unique.  I believe in the Lord’s Sovereignty, and I know...

“You are writing a gospel, A chapter each day, By the deeds that you do And the words that you say.  Men read what you write, Whether faithful or true: Just what is the gospel According to you?”   Source Unknown 

As Christ followers, we need to remember that for so many the only gospel they see and hear is our lives!  The Apostle Paul in Philippians reminds us of this when he writes,...

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you - that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”   Romans 1: 11-12  ESV

These words of the Apostle Paul ring just as true for you and me today.  We need each other, “…and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”  (cf. Hebrews 10:24)   I am thankful for brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful for those that Jesus “intentionally” brings across our path to encourage us and strengthen us in our faith - reminding and encouraging us...

The Necessity of Prayer.  Someone once said, “You can tell how popular a church is by who comes on Sunday morning.  You can tell how popular the pastor is by who comes on Sunday night.  But you can tell how popular Jesus is by who comes to the prayer meeting.”

I know what you’re thinking, “we don’t even have prayer meetings anymore -  That’s out of date.”  Maybe that kind of thinking is part of the problem.  I believe we have let the culture influence the church, instead of the church influencing the culture.  I agree, some things need to change. But some disciplines of the faith must never change - prayer being one of those.

Yes, we are to pray alone, in our “prayer closet.”  But we desperately need to...

“…We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness - …”

The Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776

I love my country!  I have been so blessed to live out my life here.  I am thankful for the men and women who have given their very lives to defend the freedoms that I enjoy.  I am equally thankful for those who continue to put their life on the line, domestically and abroad to ensure these freedoms endure - but will these freedoms continue?  When we as a Nation...

David and Goliath.  We have all heard the story.  Most of us probably heard the story when we were children sitting in Sunday School or VBS.  It is unfortunate though that we often teach it as just a “kids story” when there is so much to glean from this account, and more important - so much to apply practically today in this “post-modern” society that we live in today.  As we move forward into the future as followers of Jesus Christ, we need to face our “Goliaths” head on just as David did!  Goliath was very intimidating, just as our “Goliaths” are very intimidating.  We all...

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon, the wisest and richest man to ever live, reflects upon his life - his purpose for living.  I don’t claim to be as wise as Solomon - and I am certainly not as materially rich!  But I too am reflecting upon my life and ministry - reflecting upon my journey to this point.   I am blessed with...