I have led a group of pilgrims to the Holy Land 10 different times. My job is to take them to the right places, point them out, read the appropriate passage of scripture…and try to help bring that place and moment alive for them. If it “works,” stories they have known for decades suddenly become […]
Stepping out in faith
It’s so amazing to see how God transforms lives through Alpha. Whether that’s the believer growing in confidence in the Lord through inviting a friend, serving or praying for others, or the skeptic who finds peace and hope as they discover Christian community and a relationship with the Lord. As this Alpha wraps up I’m […]
Revival
Last Sunday, Pastor Ellis preached a powerful sermon on revival. He shared with us the history of some of the great spiritual awakenings in this nation, how they started with a handful of people gathered for prayer, and he called us to together that night for a time of prayer, confession, and worship. More than […]
Send me! I’ll go!
When Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation,” he was sending a youthful bunch of followers on a lifelong mission (Mark 16:15). He not only commissioned them but positioned them to impact the kingdom of heaven. A lifelong mission of unashamedly sharing the gospel is on the top […]
My ER visit in the desert
Last week, Cyndi and I got away to the desert for a few days of sun and golf. On Tuesday morning, I got up to take a walk. I realized that the right side of my face was sagging, my right eye could not blink, and I could not spit. (I know, gross…) I came […]
The incredible impact of prayer
Prayer changes the atmosphere. I remember the first time a mentor couple told me that. And it has stuck with me ever since. It was evident to me that they really believed in and knew the power of prayer. They had seen time and time again how spending time in the Lord’s presence made an […]
The greatest gift in today’s world
“I feel like I’m having a conversation here with two people!” she said. I was doing it again. Sending a text message to a friend when my wife was talking to me. Been there? In today’s world, one of the greatest gifts we can give other people is our undivided attention. The apps on your […]
How to impact tomorrow’s disciples today
Last week, we celebrated my daughter’s 11th birthday. Of course, I am dealing with all those parental emotions of grief over how quickly time flies by, as well as pride watching her grow into this young lady who is so full of life. At her family party, I found myself overcome by gratitude by the […]
Kitsap House is off and running!
I was surprised at how emotional I felt all morning. From the moment I walked in and saw the incredible venue – (a gym with huge cartoon bulls painted on the walls, filled with church “stuff”)—to the warmth of the greetings, to the flood of people walking through the doors…I was a little “verklempt” (a […]
What happens when they walk out that door?
One of the hardest moments in a parent’s life is the day their graduate walks out their door and heads into a future apart from the love, care, wisdom, and, yes, scrutiny, they received while living at home. In that moment, every parent understands what is at stake. All they have poured into their child…and […]