I have a confession. I try to be transparent on my page because as a teacher, I want you to learn from my example. But also, I want to model a lifestyle that is contemplative and repentive. There is absolutely no condemnation in Christ, therefore it’s okay to examine yourself and admit you were wrong. Today, I must examine my thoughts and admit I was wrong. If you have never...
Conversation
Yesterday, I read things that Church leaders had said or done that made me cringe. I found myself thinking, “I don’t want to be associated with Christians. I don’t want to be grouped in the same category.” Now, before you start praying for my soul, let me say this. I love Jesus Christ. I think the Bible is true yet complicated. There are certain passages I don’t understand but I...
Love God. Love People.
Love God. Love people. There is no other commandment greater than this. Friday, we were shopping in downtown Boone. All of the stores require masks. I walked into the store and greeted the salesperson. I sensed her heart was heavy. She told of an encounter she had earlier that day with a customer who refused to wear a mask. He yelled at her and was rude before stomping out of...
The Sky Is Blue
The sky is blue. Why would anyone feel the need to declare such an obvious and simple truth? Maybe, I live in a remote part of Alaska which may experience darkness for 67 consecutive days. Maybe it’s the 33rd day of darkness and I am desperately trying to remember what daylight looks like. So, to give myself hope, I remind my spirit, “The Sky is blue.” Maybe I have been...
Love is All You Need
🎶 All you need is Love. Lalalala. All you need is Love. Love is all you need. 🎶 I’m meditating on that simple truth this morning. What does love look like in the middle of racial unrest? What does love look like in the middle of a pandemic? What does love look like in a contentious political season? Jesus defined love when He said, “Love each other as I have...
No Favoritism
Peter was given an amazing revelation. In Acts 10 Peter witnessed first hand the power of God being poured out upon the Gentiles. This was revolutionary! Peter was the first to see the equality purchased at the cross. He was the first disciple to participate in this historic event: The Holy Spirit poured out upon the Gentiles. Peter declared the following truth: I see very clearly, God shows no favoritism!...
A Different Spirit
When I watch images of police officers using excessive force… Woman calling the police on African American males… White men detaining an African American delivery man… Southerners shooting a young black male for entering a house under construction.. What I see, what I hear, is a world with the inability to see God in each individual person. This is not a new phenomenal. It is as old as biblical days....
What is your Why?
Can I ask you a question this morning, my Facebook friends? Why do you what you do? Why will you get up and go to work this morning? Why will you pray today? Why will you post or repost on Facebook? Why will you do laundry, wash dishes, make beds? Why do you vote for a particular candidate? Why do you go (or not go) to church? Why do we...
Pharisees’ Heart
The Pharisees were not evil people. They wanted to fulfill the law. In their hearts, I believe, they really thought they were obeying and defending God. Saul, as he was dragging people out of their homes and consenting to their deaths, really believed he was doing the right thing. He really believed He was defending the cause of God. Now, of course, we know most of the Pharisees in their...
Right Here. Right Now
Before starting out on this Mission’s Trip, the following song by MercyMe popped up in my FB memory feed. Yesterday, on the last leg of my flight, it popped up on the random playlist on my phone. “We will be your voice calling, your hands healing, your feet walking into a broken world, your chain breaker, your peace maker. We will be your hope and joy. We will be your...