"Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. And the people grumbled … Continue reading From Marah to Elim

The holiday season begins this week. Millions of Americans will be hitting the highways and catching flights. All over the world, people are making plans to travel between now and the New Year. We will travel to see special friends. We travel to spend much missed time with family. As the song laments, "From Atlantic … Continue reading Practice Putting People First

Infomercials and "TV Only" advertisements are famous - no, make that infamous - for the line, "Wait! There's More!" Their script goes something like this, "This product is amazing, You cannot live with out it. This one bottle will save you hundred. You would spend hundreds of dollars on the products this one bottle replaces? … Continue reading Wait, There is More!

Jimmy's family had a long-standing tradition on Thanksgiving. As the family gathered for the Thanksgiving Meal, they would find five kernels of corn on their plate. Before a prayer of thanks and the meal would begin, each family member would tell five things they were thankful for. This always began with their parents and then … Continue reading Daily Thanks

The Hebrew writer records, "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,  but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.  He is the radiance of the glory of … Continue reading How Well Do We Listen?

I see this passage posted around town and on social media. Often the plea is for the people of the United States to pray so God will heal our nation. I want to take another look at this passage. This is part of the dedication of the Lord's Temple that Solomon built. Solomon and the … Continue reading If My People

What do you want? What are your desires? What are your plans? What do you want to be when you grow up? What are your intentions? How many times in our lives do others ask us these questions? Sometimes they are specific to an event, "Honey, what do you want to eat tonight?". Sometimes it … Continue reading Our Desires

My older brother is found of this mantra, "It just doesn't matter." To some extent he is correct. There are a good many things that really do not matter. Many topics that occupy our time and conversation at the proverbial “water cooler” just don't matter that much. I am not sure what conversations you had … Continue reading What Does it Matter?!?

One reason churches do not grow or worse, die of attrition is that there is a sense of "they" and not a sense of "we" or "us.". As in, "they are having a revival down at the church," instead of "we are having a revival at church.". The difference is more than the words it … Continue reading Tips for Church Growth

Dear God, There is much on my mind this morning as I think on recent events. I find encouragement in the loving and forgiving spirit shown by Brandt Jean to Amber Guyger, who was found guilty of murdering his older brother Botham. I pray that I can have such a loving and forgiving spirit to … Continue reading A Morning Prayer