My annual appointment with Jesus

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them” (Matthew 28:16 NKJV). I started going “away” for an annual retreat at the end of the year around 15 years ago. I have found it to be one of the wisest practices in my life. It gives me

Going over to Bethlehem

“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us’” (Luke 2:15 ESV). Robin and I had the privilege of visiting the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem this past summer

Do the opposite

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:” (Isaiah 9:6 KJV). I started watching the sitcom “Seinfeld” only after it went into syndication. I guess the daily dose of reruns finally got me interested. If you know anything about the show, you know that the character played by Jason Alexander, is

Don’t let the Grinch steal your Christmas!

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2 ESV). Now, before you panic

Who will win the battle for your worship?

“And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11 ESV). The word “worship” comes from the Middle English, “weorthscipe,” literally meaning to “ascribe worth.” We were created to worship. From dandelions to dinosaurs, no

F.A.T. from Thanksgiving

“Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty” (Acts 6:3 ESV). “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.

Against the FLOW of Black Friday

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your

Experiencing FLOW

“Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38 ESV). “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8 NIV). “Flow is… being completely involved in an activity for

The Davion Effect

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:18 ESV). “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27 NLT). This past September, 15-year old, Davion Only made the news

Sabbatical still bearing fruit

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 ESV). This Sunday we will conclude the seven “I AM” sayings of Jesus sermon series. I’ve tried to interweave our sabbatical learnings throughout each