Change. Change is an essential part of the Christian life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that if we are in Christ, we are a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come. But, what does that change look like? Have you ever known someone who says the right things, maybe even does…
August 30, 2023. I had an alert come across my phone about an officer-involved shooting. I quickly opened my phone to watch the news conference. To my surprise, the picture of my friend with the beautiful smile flashed across the screen. She had been shot and killed by her husband, one of her fellow deputies….
What’s your rescue story? I have heard so many rescue stories over my lifetime. Stories of rescue from the grips of drug addiction and alcohol. Stories of marriages rescued from the brink of divorce. Stories of miraculous births after infertility. Stories of healing that can only be explained as a miracle of God. But I’ve…
“Are you truly happy?” That was the question posed to me earlier this week in a conversation with a friend facing divorce after a decades-long marriage. It’s the fear of the unknown that creates so much anxiety, even when the marriage was unbelievably difficult, fraught with betrayal and pain of the deepest kind. Will I…
Every year, Life.Church has a special series in July called At the Movies. Each location goes all out, choosing a movie theme and decorating the lobby with incredible scenes from memorable movies. Pastor Craig Groeschel chooses a movie each week, shows clips from the movies, and then brings biblical lessons from the movie. (I highly encourage…
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 Sunday morning, we had a rousing and somewhat uncomfortable conversation in Sunday School. Before we even started our lesson, the topic of the Southern…
Deconstructing Christianity. It seems to be all the rage these days, outspoken individuals raised in the church who are sharing their stories. Telling of how they have left the faith. Discussing the disappointments of unanswered prayers. Sharing how they have been disillusioned by their upbringing. I listen intently, inquisitively. Many of these individuals have faced…
This last week, I visited with a lady who marveled that I had kept the faith in the midst of the storms of this life. This precious lady is struggling through some of the same trials I’ve faced, those of mental and emotional abuse, divorce, and false accusations. It has been a struggle to keep…
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. And a lot of reading. My goal this year has been to experience change in several areas of life, areas including spiritual, physical, and mental health. At the beginning of the year, I chose several activities I wanted to implement in an effort to improve my life….
It’s a thankless job. When is the last time you read Proverbs 31? Let’s take a few minutes to read it: A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all…
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 5:3 I woke up Sunday morning with these words running through my mind. As I began to pray for my children that morning, I couldn’t shake the scripture. I’m laying my requests at your feet…
April 19, 1995, stands as a day of infamy in the United States and in Oklahoma. On that fateful day, a truck was parked in front of the Murrah Federal Building. It was filled with explosives, and the detonation rocked the entire city of Oklahoma City. As the smoke cleared, the Murrah building was destroyed….