We’ve all seen the “Jesus is the reason for the season” merchandise. It sounds good and simple, but the reality of holiday time is much more complicated. Such is enhanced this year by rising prices, the stress many have faced due to unemployment or furlough, and frequent feelings of frustration as our national and global situations grow grim. With tariffs, high costs, and low income, how can we face this holiday season with joy? The answer: Jesus. Without the competition... Read more
Whether you celebrate Advent or not, this is a time of year often full of anticipation. We step back and find ourselves waiting for things. Whether you’re waiting for Christmas Day with great haste or, like me, you’re waiting for this time of year to be over, we’re all waiting for something. That’s the big word of the hour: we are waiting. In my book Waiting: Devotions for the Journey, I make the following statement in Day 1: “I am... Read more
It’s a time of year when many pause and stop to give thanks. A key aspect of giving thanks is tied to prayer. In my book, A Heart God Can Use: The Journey to the Center of His Will, I feature an entire chapter devoted to prayer. In particular, I detail the special way the Lord’s Prayer helps us to know what to pray for and how to pray. While I don’t think there is anything wrong with praying the words... Read more
I am not the world’s most patient person. In fact, I have an extremely low tolerance threshold for nagging and repeated questioning. When people are condescending (especially if they are in the wrong), I get annoyed. I dislike interruptions when I am working. When people request advice, it bothers me when they do what they want anyway. (I see it as a disrespect of my time.) Though years of ministry have helped me develop the grace of God in my... Read more
When it comes to prophecy, how are your prophetic perspectives? Do you think prophecy only moves one way at one time? In my book The Divine Feminine: A Treatise on the Female in Christian Spirituality, I look at specific female characters in the Bible. While researching chapter 4, , I came across Noadiah, a Bible woman I knew nothing about. Admittedly, I had never heard of before I started my research. If you don’t know who Noadiah is, don’t feel... Read more
Several years ago, I was in my kitchen, making a citrus-aide drink. The Lord spoke to me, clear as day: “What will you do with your harvest?” I promptly dropped the lime from the citrus press into the already squeezed juice of several other lemons and limes. I didn’t know what to make of it. Spiritual harvest is always a popular topic, but it’s often described as the “end of the line.” Usually when we think of harvest, we think we’re... Read more
It’s Clergy Appreciation Month! This means it’s time to show minister support our pastors, apostles, bishops, and other clergy members our appreciation for all they do. In honor of this special month, I started thinking about not just ways laity can appreciate their leaders, but ways Christian leaders can support one another. Here we will discuss seven things Christian leaders should do for each other. A note: none of these things may seem extraordinary. Actually, they are all very practical,... Read more
Over my many years in ministry, I’ve had a number of awkward conversations with those under my spiritual leadership. These were usually people I spent time with, listened to, helped, and cared about. I’ve always desired to see those I lead develop their spiritual lives, whether as ministers or laity. Leadership is a difficult tightrope to walk, especially when it comes to trying to help people help themselves in spiritual development. I’ve met many gifted people who won’t settle down... Read more
When you think of a minister’s life, what do you think it’s like? Do you picture ministers sitting around with their Bibles, praying all day? Assume your pastor or leader never gets upset? Think every conversation involves a Bible verse? If this is your image of ministry…I have news for you. It’s not like this at all! Ministers are like everyone else. We have diverse feelings about matters. Our days can be good or bad (or something in between). Part... Read more
The recent government shutdown has inspired a number of thoughts that lead me to ministry. Early in my ministry history (more than 20 years ago now), I was a lobbyist in New York State. I lobbied for women’s issues and was part of a few bills that became state law. (One became national law under George W. Bush.) To your right, you can see a picture of me from around 2001. I was with a lobbying group (mostly ministers) and... Read more
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