West Franklin Family, A unique thing happened to me this week. It’s happened before, but it’s been a while. To be honest, it is unfortunate (a) that it is unique; and (b) that it has been a while. One of you came to my office in the middle of the week and confessed a sin. You were crying. You were scared. You were ashamed. You were upset. You weren’t sure – really – why you were there. But you let... Read more

Father, This morning, I read an explosive statement from John’s Gospel. It was if John mentioned it in passing. The implications of it, however, are massive. In what is an almost parenthetical statement, John comments on something Caiaphas said about Jesus. John wrote that something Caiaphas said was actually a prophecy about Jesus. And the prophecy was that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to... Read more

Father, In three days, our nation will elect a new President or re-elect the current one. I don’t have to tell you that things have been pretty crazy around here. Division. Name calling. Hateful opinions expressed everywhere. Fear. Rage. Doomsday feeling. Gloom. I cannot imagine what it all does to Your heart. As the first Tuesday in November rushes upon us, please hear my prayer for West Franklin. Would you grant, by Your Spirit, to help us hold a healthy... Read more

Father, I read this morning where Your Son ministered to Mary and Martha when their brother Lazarus died (John 11). That entire chapter is rich with insight for us in how You interact with us. When the disciples were confused, Your Son patiently navigated them through their questions. When they misunderstood, Jesus didn’t condemn or belittle them. When Mary and Martha were grieving, John tells us He was deeply moved in His spirit and troubled. We are told He actually... Read more

Father, This morning I read where Your Son called Himself the Good Shepherd. As a matter of fact, He said, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Using the phrase “I am” to describe Himself hearkens back to when You revealed Yourself to Moses as “I am” in Exodus 3. Jesus is God in the flesh. Jesus is You, Father, with skin on. Everything You are, Jesus manifested when He walked the earth. He called Himself the Good Shepherd. Not just a... Read more

Father, I read this morning that Your Son said He came to give life. Abundant life. Life to the full. True life. Real life. Nothing pretend. Nothing empty. Nothing fake. This is a pretty intense and exclusive claim to make. If Your Son was correct in what He said than He and only He can grant real life. It isn’t found in anything or anyone else. I believe it is true. I know I don’t act like it all the... Read more

West Franklin Family, Cancelled.  If we’ve heard the word once, we’ve heard several million times since March. Remainder of the 2019-2020 school year – Cancelled. College basketball tournaments – Cancelled. College baseball season – Cancelled. Vacation Bible School – Cancelled. Prom – Cancelled. Graduation – Cancelled. Elective surgeries – Cancelled. Summer camps – Cancelled. My diet – Cancelled. Concerts – Cancelled. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – Cancelled. (It’s true. It will not be live this year.) Weddings – Cancelled. West... Read more

“He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass by them.” (Mark 6:48, italics, mine) West Franklin Family, Has it ever bothered you that Mark adds the phrase, “(Jesus) was about to pass by them”? I mean, think about it. There’s a storm. It’s night. A man is walking on water (!). The disciples are, not only straining... Read more