If I’m hurting, how can I give thanks?

I grew up in a church in rural Indiana. As a child I remember the uniqueness of the Sunday night before Thanksgiving. I remember that it was one of the few services that the pastor didn’t preach. Instead I vaguely remember two microphones down front, and that people would just get up and share what they were thankful for. I … Read More

How to apply God’s strength to your weakness

The short Hebrew word El means “to be strong.” It is often used in combination with other words to communicate that God’s strength is unequalled. This applied truth  provides tremendous help for the one struggling with discouragement or self-pity. Meditating upon the strength of God encourages your heart, and moves your attention away from your personal weakness.  Perhaps this is … Read More

Assume God’s responsibilities and you’ll neglect your own

One of the common themes I’ve observed as a pastor is that people often fail to do what they should do, because they’re trying to do what only God can do. We are not equipped to carry out God’s role, but that doesn’t keep us from trying.  Here are some examples: God sees the future; we can’t see it, so we worry … Read More

Feelings, truth and the promises of God

At the beginning of Moses’ ministry, God made him a promise: “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). At his retirement, 40 years later it was said of him, “And there has not arisen a prophet . . . like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the LORD … Read More

How the character of God holds self-pity at bay. . .

Living with suffering is hard work; it’s easy to lose your focus. Once your focus is disoriented it becomes difficult to hold self-pity at bay.  Suffering can come in many forms; not all of them physical. Our mind struggles with harsh and critical statements that seem unjustified. Our emotions vacillate between confusion, anger and grief when circumstances in our life … Read More

Discovering God

When we speak of discovering God it is not because he is lost, but because we are. The Bible describes our condition in this way, None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one (Rom. 3:10-12). Left to ourselves … Read More

What your life has in common with Mount Rushmore

My family and I just returned from a road trip out west. One of the stops we made was Mount Rushmore. There is nothing quite like seeing it in person to truly appreciate how small you are! As I was listening to the presentations I kept pondering what our walk with Christ has in common with this national treasure. Here … Read More

The character of God from A to Z

Several years ago a widow in our church brought to me a Bible study she had been doing. During her darkest hours of doubt and despair she had reflected on the character and attributes of God. She said, “I simply started with A, then went to B, then went to C, and so on. For each letter I would remember … Read More

4 Ways God is at work whether you like it or not


Way #1: God intentionally guides your steps by helping you recognize your ignorance. If we take the Bible at face value we immediately come to the conclusion that we don’t know as much as God. It was this understanding that caused Job to say he wouldn’t speak in God’s presence, only listen (Job 50:3-5). When I was a student and I … Read More

The wisdom of God

The wisdom of God means that God knows all things actual and possible in one simple and eternal act.1  I often misinterpret the actual events, and I only guess at the possibilities. But God knows all possibilities and their implications. This is a tremendous comfort to me. I make judgments of error every day because my knowledge is limited. I cannot possibly have all the facts. Even … Read More