I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 10:16

Shrewd as Snakes, Innocent as Doves

Follow Jesus in the world, not of the world.

Draw the Faith. Simply. Powerfully. Accurately. Stick Figures. Arrows. You can do it.

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The Bewildering Yet Beautiful Way of Wisdom

There are people who believe that when you become a Christian, life gets easier. I suppose in some ways that is true. Knowing I am forgiven makes living with myself and others much more tolerable. Having a clearly defined morality and a strong conviction to act on that morality helps with decision making. Does that […]

Grief, Gratitude, and the Power of Prayer

As many of you know, I recently lost my father after a 16-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. My family and I are ever so grateful for the prayers and love expressed to us during this difficult time. As someone who walks with you through the valley of the shadow of death, reminding you that your […]

Spiritual Rhythms

I eat every day. Usually, I eat at the same time every day. My body enjoys the rhythm of eating and benefits from that regularity. The same is true of many other things in my life. I brush my teeth twice a day as a part of my morning and evening routines. I go to […]

You Know the Cure

You can relate to her suffering. You know it too well. You still bear the scars. It’s such a common disease, yet it affects people so differently. This menacing malady is stealthy; its victims can have it without ever realizing it. Worse yet, it somehow convinces us that we’re fine… but we’re not. Slowly, deliberately, […]

Say the Word

It is fascinating to witness the change in behavior when a person learns that I’m a pastor. Some people express an instant sense of guilt or insecurity. It’s awkward. If someone has been using foul language before they realize the reverend’s presence, they may apologize to me, or if a word or two slips out […]

Rise Above

My favorite seat in the airplane is the window seat. I know it’s not the most convenient seat in the airplane for getting around, but that’s a small price to pay for the view out the window. There is just nothing like looking down on entire cities, lakes or mountain ranges. If I’m lucky, I […]

Carrying Jesus

I have come to the painful realization that only so much can be said about the Bible in a single sermon or Bible class. Just because I get to teach something in a Bible class doesn’t mean it will make it into a sermon. This means a lot of powerful biblical truths are left sitting […]

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The Happiness Hoax

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The Day After

For many years October 31, 2017 was greatly anticipated by my church body.  Even 10 years ago, this day was being used to motivate and to inspire.  Why?  Because that date commemorated 500 years after Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses disputing the sale of indulgences to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany.  […]

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