Have you ever looked at a situation that did not make sense? It may have been a situation that started out bad and then turned into something good and wonderful? Yet, once the wonderful settled down, once again life became tough. The life of Paul was one such life. He was a man who hated Christians and spent his time making… [continue]

      Recently an issue arose in my life that was very difficult to deal with. Words were written that described me specifically according to a one sided view. I was not allowed input or was I contacted on the subject that was sent to me. I only received a typed letter.  The toughest part… [continue]

When I was in school I took the required course for Christian Leadership. I spent my time, writing papers on the subject, researching, reading, and coming to terms with, "where I as a leader" understood God's direction on the subject. The course was not titled, "Servant Leadership," but this… [continue]

Now and then I find myself awake late at night. When I am awake late at night it is during  this time that God refills my heart. The phone is quiet, the texting has stopped, the in-box for email quiets down. It is here that I find a place of quiet worship, contemplation and pondering. It is in this place that I… [continue]

  There is an old saying that was spoken in business circles, that is no longer a common saying. The words don’t burn your bridges, was used to remind a person not to destroy a business relationship. In destroying a business relationship we may not be aware that in the future, this relationship may be a strategic… [continue]

So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the Priests carrying ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during the harvest. Yet, as soon as the Priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the waters edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled… [continue]

During his life on earth, Jesus Christ was a true example of a life that exemplified humility. The affluent Phillippians were unable to understand a life of true humility. The Philippian culture exalted the lifestyle of the rich and famous. They viewed a humble person as someone with no intelligence and as a groveling,… [continue]

This morning for some reason, as soon as my eyes opened I began to think about the word leadership. A few minutes later, I began to think about my life, specifically as a leader. The question came to my mind, “Am I doing what God is calling me to do, or is all the energy and time I spend writing and with people… [continue]

The date set for Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ has come and gone. Yet, we as Christians are called to live the resurrected life of celebration on a daily basis. We have received Jesus Christ are the victors. May we continue to praise him as we live each day. May we remember he is our hope. *Romans 8:34; Who… [continue]

In reading Philippians 2:1-11; we find a world that is to be lived upside down in attitude compared to todays "it's all about me life." I can honestly say this way of life smacks me in the face at times when the Holy Spirit convicts me that once again I am slowly walking away from what God has called me to… [continue]

Today during a short time of quiet I began to think about the many organizations in our world that require specific skills, degrees, backgrounds, physical abilities, physical health, skin color or a specified language. In interviewing for a job many, may at sometime in their life be rejected as a viable candidate for a… [continue]

Have you ever worked on a project with a fast approaching due date and felt exhausted as the date approached. Due to circumstances of life it was impossible to take a break until the project was finished. You needed strength and renewed energy to continue on and the work completed by the required date. As Christians we… [continue]

Have you ever met someone who has a love for a group of people? It is apparent in the inflection and sincerity in their voice. It is felt in the words they use, as they speak of the group of people. It is a caress and arm around the people that is felt, even if they are not in each other’s company. As I write this… [continue]

Have you ever given someone a sincere compliment and they come back with a negative reply about themselves? For instance; David says to Kathy, “You did a great job teaching today, you explained the passage very clearly.” Kathy replies, “No, I did awful, I could have done better.” Instead Kathy should… [continue]

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who is a parent and all they had to say about their adult children were negative comments. Or have you ever been around a parent and listened to them only speak words that tear down their adult children. Not one word is given that affirms them, builds them up and lets them know… [continue]

This is the 3rd  week of Approval 101Simplified. This study prepares the reader for next weeks discussion on Leaders Extend Healthy Affirmation. Please read the scripture below. As you read the scripture below look from the view of how Paul speaks of Timothy and how he affirms Timothy. We are running this for a 2nd… [continue]

  I grew up in a family, the oldest of 5 children. We spent many summer Sunday afternoon’s at the beach as a family, at a nearby lake. We would all pile into our van, which included my Grandparent’s and off we traveled for a day in the sun. What a noisy bunch we were! I love recalling the days of playing… [continue]

  When we delay it is not always from God. Instead we may be delaying stepping out in faith, because of fear, intimidation of others or procrastination. One thing is for sure that the clock does not stop, even when we delay. At the snap of our fingers today's 24 hours is gone and the new day begins. As the New… [continue]

This holiday season as Christians we celebrate the birth of Christ. My prayer is for those who read this to draw close to the Savior as we begin to celebrate the birth of Christ. For many this season  it may be a time of grieving over the loss of a loved one, financial difficulties or other painful issues of life.… [continue]

When we read a newspaper, listen to the news, or spend time in the midst of the people in our societies, it is not long before we hear words of complaint about the global economy. We also may read or hear conversations of people who are complaining about the Christian Church of today. In my personal experience the majority… [continue]

There are times in life that we may feel like quitting. The desire to quit usually comes along in the disguise of discouragement. We are on the journey, doing what we feel God is calling us to do, but things are not moving as fast as we have planned. Without realizing it, we may begin to compare the speed of what we are… [continue]

Have you ever found that when you are tired that this is the most difficult time to believe? To believe the promises of God that are hidden in his word and in our heart. To believe that the path we are on is the correct path. To trust that we are hearing from the Holy Spirit and not our own mind, the flesh or the enemy.… [continue]

When we delay it is not always from God. Instead we may be delaying stepping out in faith, because of fear, intimidation of others or procrastination. One thing is for sure that the clock does not stop, even when we delay. At the snap of our fingers today's 24 hours is gone and the new day begins. As the new year approaches… [continue]

     As leaders many times we must step out into the unknown. As we step out, this means we are also taking people with us as we venture ahead. It is during times of change and stepping out that as leaders, we must spend time with God and listen closely to his guidance through the word, prayer and the… [continue]

     The world has become saturated with information.  Websites, e-mails, relational networking sites, mobile phones, text messaging, the list goes on and on. In the life of many, they have become part of our day to day life and a necessity. Businesses around the world communicate with each other.… [continue]

There are days that the mundane arrives on the doorstep of our life and may cause us to ask ourselves, "Why am I doing what I am doing?" My thoughts, "Today, is boring and has no excitement, but what is sitting on my desk must be finished." As someone who has begun to travel, my life looks exciting… [continue]

Not long ago I returned from a trip to Africa. I realized as I boarded my first flight, that when I returned to my city, life would never be the same. As I sit and write this, I can say, that yes, life will never be the same as it was prior to my trip to Africa. It is in a land like Africa, that we see who we are as christians.… [continue]

This morning I am reminded of a scene in the children's story, "Alice in Wonderland." The rabbit says, "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date. No time to say, hello, good-bye, I'm late, I'm late!" Contrast this scene with the Jesus we read about in the gospels of the New Testament.… [continue]

In the quietness of the morning reading scripture can bring a quietness and peace to our entire being as we approach our day. If we allow the Holy Spirit to speak through the word and in prayer we may receive a word that we will need later in the day without realizing it. For years I was an account executive which required… [continue]

Many times we search out someone to assist us in making decisions of life. We may be in the midst of something that we are not sure of the direction to take or we may be in need of confirmation that what we are about to set out and do is wise, or that the direction is unwise. As Christians it is wise to seek wise counsel… [continue]

Walking in a God given vision requires faith. Walking by faith requires us to allow God to remove the chains we allow to be placed around our legs by others or by our own fear of moving forward. Once we submit to God's journey for our life and begin walking by faith step by step, the chains begin to disappear and we… [continue]

With the Lord on our side we are never on the losing side. Some may push, compete, and use other tactics for a platform in ministry, but those of us who trust in God to raise us up will never be shaken. We will continue forward, step by step, day by day and walk in peace into the unknown that God has planned specifically… [continue]

Have you ever sat in a long line of traffic waiting for it to begin moving again? Have you ever sat in your own car, as a passenger of someone else, or on a bus, waiting and waiting and waiting? The wait seems to go on forever and ever. Or better yet, someone gives us directions to a specific location and we know for a… [continue]

     Standing Firm- To remain erect, maintain one’s position, to endure. With God’s help we can continue to walk the path that God places us on. Ephesians 6;13-14 reminds us to use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you… [continue]

It's not always easy to move forward in tough times. I am sure many reading this from around the world, can attest to tough times in their life, prior to the global financial problems that exist today. You are the people that have learned in the fires of life, how to survive in tough times. As gold is purified in the… [continue]

With the happenings in todays world it is important that we continue to live in community with our sisters and brothers in Christ where ever God has placed us. It's not a time to draw back or a time to isolate when things get tough. God calls us to encourage one another. Ask yourself these questions- Who am I lifting… [continue]

  Once Upon A Time there was a young woman who was 32 years old who one day became a single mom. She arrived in this single mom world, unprepared and lost, but with a small flame of hope in her heart. She had left behind abuse, an alcoholic husband, and… [continue]

Contrary to the world's way of thinking as a Christian there are times that going back is going forward. Do you remember Moses? God kept sending him back again and again to speak to Pharaoh and tell him, "Let my people go!" Can you imagine being in Moses shoes? He knew in advance that each time he returned… [continue]

Many of my hours are spent in a glassed in room also known as what we call in the Mid-West a 3 season room. When it is warm enough to venture out into this area I gather my latest writing project, teaching, or preaching preparation and set up my office in this area. This area is such a blessing to me as the sun pours in… [continue]

A week before Christmas a storm arrived in our City! The rain began and the temperature dropped which caused the rain to turn into ice and blanket our trees, homes, streets, cars and electrical lines. All things that we as American's take for granted stopped! Our electrical system across our city began to fall apart.… [continue]