I was visiting an old southeast Oklahoma rancher. He and his wife had a beautiful view of the meadows and hills, framed by mountains all around. I’ll call him Bill. Bill blessed me on that visit–probably without realizing it. Conversation turned to matters of faith and trust, creation and God’s sustaining power. Bill didn’t hesitate …
Category Archives: Faith
Another “God Thing”
Jan and I enjoy going back to places we have known in the past. In 2025 we plan to travel together to the Dominican Republic, to Ecuador and Colombia, to Honduras, and to several stateside locations. Going back to special places from our past is always a blessing. I am reminded of how my life …
The Rest of the Story–Faith
Yesterday I mentioned “the rest of the story.” On the day that would have been my mother’s 100th birthday, I shared how God has worked for good in our lives in mysterious and marvelous ways, even in tragic and difficult events. Today I reflect upon the nature of faith. I have continuously and confidently affirmed …
God is Good!
Today is my mother’s birthday. She is gone from this earth, but not from our hearts. Today she would have been 100. For almost 30 years, I have remembered her birthday without being able to tell her “Happy Birthday” in person. In reality, the important people in our life never really leave. My mother had …
Your Cloud of Witnesses
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the …
Depending on God
We depend on God to right wrongs and establish justice in the world. We confidently affirm that he is our God and that he will work good in the lives of his people. God is by nature righteous, and his overwhelming righteousness he desires to share with those who follow him. Disciples who learn the …
Unbelievable!
“Mish Maoul.” In Arabic, the phrase means unbelievable. A Spanish word I use frequently is “increible”. 1 Thess. 1:5 says, “When we told you the good news, it was with the power and assurance that come from the Holy Spirit, and not simply with words.” The unbelievable was made believable through preaching and testimony empowered …
Too Conservative
I like to read sermon titles. Some are catchy, some are just plain weird. Sometimes one can tell what the sermon is about, some keep the sermon content a mystery. This sermon title caught my eye: “Too Conservative.” The text was Ecclesiastes 11:4. “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will …
Faith: What are you seeking?
The statement beckons for our attention. We must think, be honest with ourselves, think about our religion/faith. What are we doing? Why are we doing it? What is our focus, purpose, goal? From Sarah Miles (Jesus Freak), “We’d rather have a dead religion than a living God.” I recoil from the suggestion. Surely not I? …
Walking in the “Faith Dimension”
We too easily, too casually, define faith. The definition slips from our lips almost unthinkingly. Who cannot quote Hebrews 11:1? But what is the nature of faith? We are not called to have faith in faith; how does one believe in/through faith? Faith is in Jesus Christ. How can we live faithfully? Faithful living is …