Author Archives
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Navigating the Fiery Black Holes of Life
Demonic Oppression and Possession: “Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw (Matthew 12:22, NAS).” “As they were going out, a mute, demon-possessed… Read More ›
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Navigating the Fiery Black Holes of Life
Isaiah 45:5-7: “I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that… Read More ›
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Navigating the Fiery Black Holes of Life
Chapter Three: Cause and Effect, Part I “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned (Romans 5:12, NAS).” Then the Lord God said… Read More ›
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Permanent Change of Station
As a former military guy, I quickly became acquainted with the acronym, PCS. It stands for “Permanent Change of Station,” which is a tad ironic since a PCS is anything but “P,” permanent that is. In fact, in my day,… Read More ›
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Strategic Foe, Strategic God, part III
Yes and Amen! “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (II Corinthians 1:20, NKJV).” “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable,… Read More ›
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Strategic Foe, Strategic God, part II
All Things are Finished: “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, “It is finished” and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost (John 19:30, NAS).” “…His works were finished from the foundation of the world (Hebrews… Read More ›
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Strategic Foe, Strategic God
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on… Read More ›
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Suffering: Black Hole Experiences
…exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit… Read More ›
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In the Suffering
“In their affliction, they will earnestly seek Me (Hosea 5:15, NAS).” Myles Munroe once said, “The religious are cowards because they want everything perfect all the time, but those who are Kingdom-minded aren’t afraid of anything!” That struck me to… Read More ›
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Seven Things I Learned When They Told Me I Likely Had Cancer
I don’t have cancer…at least they don’t think so; they want me to get retested in three months to see for sure. But there were a couple of weeks when those who should know said, “Cancer is the most likely… Read More ›
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Vanishing Mists
I was in the hunt for a particular author of a particular book. It was a book about preaching, written by a prof who had taught me preaching in seminary. I know, you’re thinking, “Somebody taught you preaching?” Yes…tis true…but… Read More ›
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The Worst Four-Letter Word
You probably have your candidates. I remember a friend of mine telling the story of a ride in the car with his five-year-old son who starting spelling, “F…U…” My friend halted the boy with a, “What are you saying!” The… Read More ›
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Embracing the Buts
Just to be clear–that’s one “t”–not two. We’ll not talk about the two “t” kind here. We all have “buts”…some are more talkative about them than others. The “buts” usually come in the way of qualification about something we advertise… Read More ›
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Have You Had Your Affluenza Shot?
I trust that you have had your flu shot this year; I’ve had mine. I’m hoping it works this time; last year’s was a “fail” (at least that’s what I thought while I was lying in the hospital with simultaneous… Read More ›
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The Case of the Missing Leg
I am a leg man…always have been. The way the leg reaches up to the thigh, succulent and firm and is, all at once, gone. Man, I love legs–especially when they’re fried. I know they’re bad for me…dark meat…fried. But… Read More ›
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Which Grinch Do You Remember?
The commercials always feature the grumpy Grinch–the Grinch who stole Christmas. Even now, many years after its first broadcast success, people accuse others who discount/derail/deride Christmas as a “Grinch.” To be sure, the Grinch was gleefully in his element as… Read More ›
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Despicable Me and the Vitriolaters
I love the Despicable Me movies. The minions crack me up. And Gru–you have to love a guy who works so hard to be so bad only to find out that he can love his adopted daughters with a heart-melting… Read More ›
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I Am an Orphan Now
Dad has left us…following Mom by just under two years. He barely made it past what would have been their 61st wedding anniversary. I had seen him a mere week before on a two-day “drive by” enroute to new jobs… Read More ›
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See Ya Later, Alligator; After a While, Crocodile
We were having dinner the other night with some very good (bestest ever) friends. The kind of friends with whom the relationship is forged in the trenches of shared ministry… The kind of friends who, when you hurt them (and… Read More ›
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Understanding Kingdom Prayer, part IV
God Knows Your Every Need: · Matthew 6:8 NAS – “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Commentary: I hate to state the obvious, but if this… Read More ›
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Understanding Kingdom Prayer, part III
Prayer: Few want to pray with faith and total release. I can prove this point by stating that, if everyone who prayed did so with faith, we’d all stop praying what we want and begin to pray God’s will… Read More ›
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Understanding Kingdom Prayer, part II
Praising is prayer as well as it is declaring promises. We commune with God (prayer), in part, by praising His holy name and lavishing honor, glory, and love toward Him with thanksgiving. We speak the promises (declaration) in the face… Read More ›
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Six Things I Hate
1. Wisest Kid Commercials. Really? Now adults are so pathetic that we can’t even pick out something for lunch or dinner? Someone, somewhere needs to put a stop to this cultural craze that has us believing that younger is wiser. … Read More ›
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Understanding Kingdom Prayer, part I
Pray(er): constant communion with God through Jesus Declare: to make known or state clearly, especially in explicit or formal terms: to declare one’s position in a controversy. to announce officially; proclaim to state emphatically Decree: a formal and authoritative order,… Read More ›
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Thy Kingdom Come
Kingdom Citizenship, part II: John 3:3-5: Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man… Read More ›
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"Ladies and Gentlemen, This is the Captain…"
One of those frustrating airline moments…we had just pushed back from the gate but then had stopped on the taxiway; as the minutes ticked by without movement toward the runway, it became clear that something was amiss. There are some… Read More ›
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Thy Kingdom Come, part VII
Kingdom Covenant Citizenship: “For our citizenship is in heaven (Ephesians 3:20, NAS).” “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32, NAS).” “But Jesus said, ‘Let the children alone, and… Read More ›
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They're Stamps; They're Green; They're Not New
In the grocery store; paying for my stuff. The cashier says, “Do you want the stamps?” I say, “What stamps?” He pulls out a roll of little green stamps…which are, apparently, a reward for shopping and can be used as… Read More ›
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Thy Kingdom Come, part VI
Forsaking ALL: Matthew 6:35: “Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more… Read More ›
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Thy Kingdom Come, part V
Citizens have the Kingdom, man has religion. Citizens have the Holy Spirit to lead them, religion has programs to guide them Citizens have Sanctification, religion has busy works to mask emptiness Citizens have submission to the King, religion has tradition… Read More ›