“If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you’ll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment’s notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me” (John 12:26 Msg). I would do anything to just be around the three men in this photo. From left to right
Year: 2009
But do I have to hang out with Judas?
“…Follow me,” Jesus said to him” (Luke 5:27 NIV). We American Christians love that Christ calls us individually. What we don’t always appreciate is that following Jesus means hanging out with his other disciples. We prefer an individual religion. One that we can follow alone. One that caters to our individual needs. I wonder if Simon Peter ever felt
Creating raving fans
“If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matthew 5:41 NIV). Recently I attended a conference where Dan Cathey, son of Chick-Fil-A founder, Truett Cathey, was a presenter. I was really impressed with his talk. One of the mantras of the Chick-Fil-A organization is that they want to create “raving
Big rocks first
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: … You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first…” (Revelation 2:1, 4-5 NIV). “… one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on
Is God really good?
“Taste and see that the Lord is good…” (Psalm 34:8 NIV). Is seafood good to you? It is to me. I love seafood. I think it’s the best. Some years ago while visiting Rick Warren’s church in California, we found this really good, authentic Italian restaurant at Capistrano Beach named Agostino’s Ristorante. When we took Stephen
Unstringing the bow
“‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place” (Mark 6:31-32 NIV). According to a Greek legend, in ancient Athens a man noticed the great storyteller Aesop playing childish games with some little boys. He laughed and jeered at
Sharing our singing heritage
My brother, Barry, was visiting us in Wilson this past July 4th weekend. It was great having he and his family with us. I always ask him to sing when he visits. Our WCC family loves to hear him. When I asked him to sing, he said, "Let's do one of the old Willow Branch Quartet
Tuned for worship
“My harp is tuned …” (Job 30:31 NIV). When we started our last day at the Saddleback Worship Conference I prayed that Stephen would receive extra encouragement. Sometimes, being at a conference like this actually overwhelms you. So, I wanted God to let Stephen know His affirmation. The day began with a great talk from
Learning new songs
“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God” (Psalm 40:3 NIV). We’re having a great time this week at the Saddleback Worship Conference! I’m really proud of Stephen and our WCC worship band for having been selected to play this year at one of the venues. I wish
One prayer continues
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent