Once awhile ago, I had a conversation with someone that went something like most of the conversations I have when I someone who thinks they are a “prophet:” They introduce themselves. They are a little all-too-eager to tell me what they do and what they are called to do. They then feel the need to try and give me a “word.” Over many years of discernment and many years of watching a steady decline in the quality of what we... Read more
When Senator John McCain died in 2018, news programs shifted from whatever they were talking about to a thorough commentary on his life and work.They spoke on his experiences as a prisoner of war, American politician, and in a unique interest, his ability to work with those who did not always share his beliefs and values. There were detailed accounts of the ways in which he worked with liberals and Democrats alike, seeing different viewpoints. He was known for facilitating... Read more
I never paid much attention to Acts 8 until I prepared for baptism in Jesus’ Name. This was many years back, when I was hook, line, and sinker figuring out my way as a Oneness Pentecostal. The focus was the baptism in Jesus’ Name (which I noticed, of course). However, another part of that passage that jumped out at me. It remains with me today: What doth hinder me to be baptized? In other words, what stops – hinders or... Read more
When we are called by God and anointed for His purpose, we walk the fine line between the ordinary and the extraordinary. We pursue spiritual things while still living and walking in this world. As people, we still desire things. Coupled with spiritual pursuits, we walk a fine line between what we may seek as individuals and the many things we seek spiritually. People who haven’t had real intense experience with spiritual things don’t always understand the experience. They might... Read more
The Christian life is full of many different experiences.While many Christians believe their walk with God should always work out according to plan, Christian life isn’t quite that simple. Christian believers experience blessing, praise, favor, victory, and grace as a part of their walk. They also experience rejection, silence, persecution, frustration, misunderstanding, loneliness, and anger. While we hear much about how to handle the good Christians experience and never walk away from God in the good times, we hear little... Read more
It was Sojourner Truth who said, “If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again!” Hearing this quotation both inspires and pales in the face of thousands of years’ worth of Christian tradition. Women’s ministry doesn’t often focus on reconciling women back to women. Instead, it encourages women often to assume a place... Read more
Many Christians fail to see God’s true power and voice through nature. We are so busy seeking God through supernatural signs (that are often powerful and wonderful, no doubt) that we miss God’s power and glory manifest all around us. The colors, beauty, fragrances, textures, and design of our world sings great praises unto a powerful Creator, One Whose attention to detail is precise and Who cares as much about beauty and aesthetic appeal as any designer would. The glory... Read more
The Roman Catholic sex abuse scandal. The Southern Baptist Association sex abuse scandals. Assemblies of God Chi Alpha campus ministry scandals. Hillsong Church‘s scandal. The media loves to sell a great story. This is true nowhere more than when it comes to Christianity…especially involving the misstep of big-name leaders. While the drama is real, facts are often hard to come by, as they don’t shout quite as loud as big headlines. It’s easy to read these stories (or just the... Read more
My recent move was definitely not my first. In fact, it’s my seventh move in the past 18 years. If you’ve ever moved, you know you spend a great deal of time preoccupied with boxes. I know I’ve developed an interest in box sizes and their capacity to hold certain weights and objects. Boxes full of books need to be smaller than boxes full of clothes, because books weigh more than clothes. Loose shoes fit nicely in a big box.... Read more
Ask yourself the following questions to determine your comfort zones: When was the last time I took on something new and challenging? (I mean really challenging, not just something you don’t like or something you have an aversion to.) Do I do things with people who are not my relatives? When was the last time I spoke with – or reached out to – someone who was unsaved? When I discover I disagree with a friend of mine, does that... Read more
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