As I opened my Bible and started reading this morning, I had to stop myself after the first stanza of Psalm 104. Something was missing. Rather, someone was missing. I found myself reading to be reading. But that’s not what God’s Word is for. So I stopped reading. I looked out the sliding glass doors that overlook the woods in …

To be holy is to hate what is unholy. To love a holy God is to hate what is evil. You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. (Psalm 97:10, New Living Translation) To hate something (the Hebrew word here is ‏שָׂנֵא‎, sane, pronounced …

  Today in our men’s group we discussed Acts 20. As I read and prepared for our discussion, I noticed 21 character traits of the apostle Paul. Look over this list, and then take time to assess yourself as a leader. Which 3-5 of these are you doing well? Put a star next to these. Well done, good and faithful …

Today: Proverbs 11  Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety (Proverbs 11:14, NLT).  As we head toward Election Day in the United States, this proverb has never been more vital! Both sides would argue that they are wise leaders and their opponent is not. Their policies are wise and the other candidate’s are unwise. This …

My good friend from Boise Idaho, Carl Douthit, posted this on Facebook yesterday: Too often we (and I definitely include myself) focus on “what” we DO in a relationship. God shows us that we should focus on “who” we ARE in a relationship. If our relationship with God depended on what we could do for Him, there wouldn’t be a …

“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way” (Hebrews 12:11, NLT).   It’s natural for a father to discipline his children if he truly loves them (Proverbs 3:11-12). At the same time, we, especially we leaders, face spiritual warfare that …

On New Year’s Day of 2010, one year ago, I began a new practice that I’m continuing next year. I had read John Eldridge’s New Year’s Eve post about his annual practice of asking God for a theme for the coming year. Last year, I heard God say the word more. Since 2009 had been a very difficult year, that word really …

There is no such thing as a “small group” when it is focused on the presence, power, and purposes of Christ! This morning I was reading Zechariah 4, where the prophet receives a vision from God about the rebuilding of the Temple. Verse 6 is probably on the Top 10 List of most quotable verses in the Bible: “Not by …

Since today is officially the start of the “holiday season” (I know … “Christmas” is the religiostically correct term, but I’m still digesting Thanksgiving), and since Advent does begin this Sunday (for those who celebrate it, which I haven’t since growing up Catholic, but plan to again this year after a 22-year hiatus), I thought I’d share a little about …

I write this blog primarily for leaders. When I’m writing, I’m thinking about leaders and I try to speak to the hearts of leaders. So sometimes I might say something that can be misconstrued if read from a different perceptive than my target audience. This just happened today. I posted a brief excerpt from my November 6 blog, “Solitude Before …