I led a short term youth missions team on a trip to China a few years back. While in-country, we took a short flight on one of the national airlines. This flight was like being on a roller coaster, except no one was having fun! Either the turbulence was out of control or the piloting was poor… but … Continue reading
The metamorphosis of the caterpillar to a butterfly is remarkable. Talk about becoming something COMPLETELY different! And, what a beautiful creature the butterfly is! Imagine if you could have a conversation with a butterfly: You: “Hey, Butterfly, you’re really just a caterpillar, right?” Butterfly: “NO! I’m a butterfly, look at me!” You: “Well, don’t you still feel like … Continue reading
Have you ever been in a situation where you’re presented with an opportunity, but you’re unsure… and then the person presenting the option says, “C’mon, you know you want to!”? Unfortunately, many times in those situations the answer is “no, I don’t really want to! But, I’m feeling pressured by you!”. Sometimes then, we choose well … Continue reading
You ever notice how easy it is to pick up phrases and lingo from movies or pop culture? We sometimes assimilate them without even thinking, because it seems that “everyone” is saying or thinking that thing. This isn’t always necessarily evil, but have you ever stopped to think about the origin of those thought processes … Continue reading
It’s funny. Sometimes when we are on the MSU campus giving out free water in the summer or the Finals Kits as a part of I Love My City in the Spring, people always seem to be hesitant and sometimes ask, “So, what’s the catch?”. A lot of times, groups/organizations/business give out “free” stuff to … Continue reading
Have you ever watched a group of people cheering on their favorite sports team winning a game? Or, have you witnessed the squeals of a group of young children when the announcement is made that they’re going to an ice cream parlor? How would you describe these expressions? Jubilant? Ecstatic? Wild? Victorious? You could call … Continue reading
Each day has enough trouble of it’s own (Matt. 6:34). Don’t we know it? Every day there’s ample reason to run to God and say, “HELP!” — and, rightly, we should! I can’t think of a much better response to things of life that can so easily overwhelm us . . . and God is … Continue reading
As we join in these seven days to pray specifically for our nations, I am excited because I know that God is up to something GOOD! So, as we begin this time, I believe it’s important to begin with the right focus: God. He is good! He has GOOD plans for us and for our nation. Let … Continue reading
[Day 28 of my church’s 40-day REND 960 season of fasting & prayer] In the opening verses of Isaiah 58, God speaks to His people about hos they seem to want to “be near” Him and seem to want to “know His ways”. This would seem to be a good thing, except that He confronts … Continue reading
Isaiah 58 is such an incredible invitation — to allow God to share His heart with us! Can you believe that the God of the universe would rend His heart to us?? What a grand and glorious privilege. I can hardly think of a higher calling! But, there’s more!! For those who say “yes” to … Continue reading
