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I have been greatly challenged over the past week by our dear and suffering Hannah. She has been such a sweet and wonderful blessing to my family, especially my kids. Yet, as I went to visit her in the hospital I felt so unprepared to minister to her and her family. Indeed, I am young and inexperienced as a pastor beyond teaching the Bible. While I am confident in my teaching gifts, I am suddenly aware of my inadequacy as a minister to those who are suffering. What am I supposed to say? What ...

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Isaiah 52:7-10 (NKJV)
How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,"Your God reigns!"...
  Break forth into joy, sing together...
For the LORD has comforted His people,
He has redeemed [them].
  The LORD has made bare His holy arm
In the eyes of all the nations;
And all the ends of the earth shall see
The salvation of our God.

That fall day, as he penned his last writt...

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While attending Biola University I had the priviledge of making the acquaintance of a woman named Alicia. During one of our class sessions in the Summer of 2009 she shared this poem which deeply blessed me, and perhaps it will bless you too.

Alicia’s Poem

A Journey for the search of truth I've begun,

Unsure of how I'll get there but I'm sure I won't run.

After years of rebellion and searching in the dark,

I have experienced He who can heal my heart.

Was blinded by frustration and an...

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(Originally written in August, 2003)
The old saying goes, “Hate the sin, love the sinner”; but in this post-modern, (perhaps post-Christian) multi-cultural, multi-sexual, society of amorality and extremist tolerance I see believers struggling with the latter.
 
   In the last several years Americans have seen an uprising of homosexual activists pushing forward their “gay” agenda.  State laws agianst homosexual behavior have been struck down, legislatures are recognizing civil unions, and...
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As I pray for Hannah I am struck by a thought. As I think of her suffering, and as I am told of her own prayer request for God to keep her faith strong during a time when she feels spiritually abandoned, I am cut to the quick. This is what personal ministry is all about. It's about you and me, encouraging each other about something which we both believe, but niether of us can actually see. When I am hurting, it is so difficult to receive a spiritual word of encouragment; I want REAL results. ...
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