After showing up at for tryouts with the Houston Astros, José Altuve was told not to return. It had nothing to do with a lack of ability; conventional wisdom simply considered a 5’5” man to be too short to play professional baseball. Uncertain about his next step, Altuve talked with his father who was well […]
Tag Archives: Jesus
Did David Cheat Goliath?
There I sat, somewhat mystified. While doing some research on the story of David and Goliath, I had been reading a blog about Goliath’s armor. The content was all well and good, but one of the comments captured my attention—and not in a good way. Basically, the commenter was claiming that the fight was unfair—to […]
Insecurity Killed the King – Part II
The tragic story of Saul’s demise provides a powerful historical lesson for anyone aspiring to leadership: unconquered insecurity will corrupt the noblest of ambitions. Sadly, Saul’s error continues to be repeated generation after generation—even among Christian leaders. Shortly after I came to Christ over thirty years ago, I began associating with a Christian movement that […]
Breaking Free from Legalism
Rules, rules, rules! Do you ever feel that Christianity is nothing but legalism—the constant pressure to obey a long list of rules and obligations? If so, you’re missing the heart of what God wants to do in your life. Laws and rules tend to work from the outside in. The Holy Spirit works from the […]
Satan Wants to Sift You Like Wheat! Part II
Wheat is getting an increasingly bad name in our day. Why? Generations of hybridization have engineered wheat which is more disease resistant, more pesticide resistant, more workable for baking, and generally more productive. However, the same cumulative modifications that have significantly helped reduce starvation across the globe also seem to be having adverse affects on […]
Satan Wants to Sift You Like Wheat!
It was the beginning of the lowest point of Simon Peter’s life. There stood Jesus, eyes piercing to the very depths of his soul. Peter knew the strength of his own loyalty to the Christ (or so he thought) and yet the words of the Lord had an unnerving effect. “Simon, Simon, pay attention! Satan […]
Has the Salt of the Earth Lost Its Flavor?
I don’t think there is much question about it—the United States is a nation in decline. Whether we speak of a decreased standard of living or increased moral decay, we do not live in a visibly promising time. The sad reality of our current circumstances is no surprise to anyone with even a touch of […]
Victory of the Two Crosses
Grace must be thoroughly understood if we are to live in a way that honors God. If we are to grasp the essence of the Gospel—faith expressing itself through love—we must clearly understand the Biblical concepts of faith and love. Part 6 of The Divine Progression of Grace series. Filmed at The Summit Church of […]
Why Egocentric Ministry Makes Apathetic People
“Whose kingdom are you building, yours or Mine?” These words spoken to me by the Holy Spirit were not physically audible, but they could not have been louder. On that day in the fall of 1993, my life was forever changed. Since starting into college ministry, I had been working tirelessly to get our campus […]
The Priesthood of All Believers
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal….” What powerful words open the U.S. Constitution! Through the significance of this “immortal declaration”, the United States of America has long stood as a beacon for justice and equality in an oppressive world. Our government leaders have not always stood for the […]