Have you ever found yourself lost in the vast rabbit hole of YouTube? That endless stream of videos tailored to your interests, serving up an array of content that seems to know you better t… Read More

"Hallelujah" is a Hebrew loan word commonly used in the English language. In Hebrew, it is a compound word made up of "Hallelu" (הללו), which is an exhortation to a g… Read More

The phrase "David is a man after God's own heart" is found in the Bible, specifically in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel 13:14. The original author of the phrase is Samuel the pro… Read More

This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons. Information from its description page there is shown below.Commons is a freely licensed media file repository. You can help. Every night before I g… Read More

Hello, you people! As a man in my fifties, I have embarked on an exciting new adventure that has brought immense joy and fulfillment into my life. I want to share with you my journey… Read More

Author: Shelly Lantz Publisher: Frieling Publishing, 2021, Warrenton, VA Number of Pages: 265 pages UnRecoverable is a gripping memoir by Shelly Lantz that follows her journey through addi… Read More

People are excited about ChatGPT and AI. It's a fun time, but personally, I don't think we should panic and believe the sky is falling like Chicken Little. The sky isn't falling.That's why I… Read More

 Book title: Jesus: A PilgrimageAuthor: James Martin, SJ HarperCollins, New York, 2014 538 incredibly engaging pages, including discussion questions, endnotes, topical index, and bibl… Read More

 I wish I didn’t wait until my own life was in crisis to pick up a book by Tom Wright. He always, always, always brings a fresh practical perspective. Wright never fails at this… Read More

Whenever I get into a conversation about Allie, inevitably people will ask me about Charity. The whole Allie story is heart breaking, and people are especially moved by what Charity has had… Read More

I've heard that this time of year is especially difficult for those whose lives have been touched by tragedy or loss. I'm not aware of the statistics, but anecdotal stories abound. Coming of… Read More

Book title: How to be Holy: First Steps in Becoming a SaintAuthor: Peter KreeftSan Francisco, Ignatius Press, 2016Number of pages: 170Real People Being Holy in the Real WorldFrom the way the… Read More

A friend I have incredible respect for told me that on nights he can't sleep, he's made a practice of thinking about all of the things he's thankful for. I think when I first heard this, I h… Read More

Last week I ran my seventh marathon. Training for marathons has been one of the best disciplines ever introduced into my life. Long runs, gradually getting longer week by week, become a part… Read More

“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest… Read More

Yesterday was the worst Monday we’ve seen in this country in a long time given the way the 24 hour cable news cycle, social media, and the delivery of headlines to our smartphones wo… Read More

I love this scene. It may be one of the greatest scenes depicted in cinema in the decade it was created in.It is a powerful illustration of the current controversy happening where sports hav… Read More

Just when you think things are going smoothly, they don't anymore. You read those time management books, watch the videos on becoming a minimalist, and make your five year plan. If you could… Read More

It doesn’t come naturallyHere’s what comes naturally: judginess. Also, fantasizing about revenge comes pretty easily. It feels really good to fantasize about revenge. Doing reven… Read More

Yesterday we celebrated the one year anniversary of our arrival in New Hampshire. After a year, it’s still surreal. Every single day I’m grateful that we’ve moved here. I&r&hell…Read More

Book title: A Biblical Theology of Missions Author: George W. Peters Chicago, Moody Bible Institute, 1972 Number of pages: 368 "It is my impression that the Bible is not a book about theol… Read More

Charity and me circa 1988Talking about your trauma can be touchy. Writing about the trauma of others - family members for example - can be very touchy. what family members experienced during… Read More

In this podcast, we discuss the importance of missionary nurture and how to make it a priority.Here are some links to resources highlighted in this episode:» Neal Pirolo&rsqu&hell…Read More

In this audio series from the Facilitating the Mission podcast I have the privilege of co-hosting with missions guru Jeff Jackson, listeners are introduced to the reality of re-entry. Most p… Read More

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’”—Mark 1:17 (NKJV)Peter and Andrew weren’t doing anything particularly &l&hell…Read More

“He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children.”—Psalm 78:5 (ESV)I remember vividly the conse… Read More

“So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.”—1 Timothy 5:14 (ESV)There’s a chance a… Read More

Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and… Read More

“But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife.”—1 Corinthians 7:33 (ESV)There was a young missionary couple living in Sudan. Decades of civil… Read More

There was a fury around the topic of refugees earlier in the year, but the shrill pitch has died down lately. While we mostly handle this discussion as a political one, there are other angle… Read More

I’ve been working out of the treadmill quite a bit now that I’m here in New Hampshire (more about why we’ve moved to New Hampshire from sunny South Florida in a future post… Read More

Writing the next post in our book blogging project has worked me over. I've been cranking through these few words for weeks. There are feelings in this post I haven't wanted to revisit. Yet… Read More

Why put my book out on a blog rather than publish traditionally through a print house?I realized in high school that I wanted to write. I had a love/hate relationship with my eleventh grade… Read More

This week, the book-blogging project we launched on Medium last month has gone over 1,000 views. We're really pleased about this and wanted to say thank you. Here's a video I shot really qui… Read More

We have friends that are trying to adopt children from Ethiopia. We've followed their story for years, literally, and it has been grueling for them. We're friends with two other couples &mda&hell…Read More

On January 1, an announcement was made at church that we were, as a denomination, going to participate in a 21 day fast. Everyone was encouraged to pick some activity, luxury, or — I d… Read More

Be careful not to despise these little ones. I can guarantee that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father, who is in heaven.‭‭—Matthew‬ ‭18:10… Read More

I sat down the other day to make a list of all of the angels God sent our way in our journey. I couldn't do it. The list is too long. I know I'll miss some.But, to the best of my ability, I… Read More

Dragging out my files and putting time into this effort has been tough on my wife and daughter. They just want this to be behind us. They don't want to re-live the experience, but every time… Read More

"Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut… Read More

The third post of my book blogging project is live.In this bit, you'll meet three people: John, Timmy, and Ruth. I've changed their names because I've worked hard to be friends. We're all ab… Read More

There's trouble on the streets tonight I can feel it in my bones I had a premonition That he should not go alone –Glen Frey Do you feel like something is going… Read More

It was two and half years ago when I finished writing a book. Sort of. I found out about a contest a book publisher was running where the top three finishers would get a free publishing deal… Read More

“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” -John‬ ‭4:14‬ … Read More

 Greg Clark was running toward me. AT me. The football was descending in a perfect arc. I was prepared. My feet were planted. I was going to receive the kick. I watched the ball. I watc… Read More

 Greg Clark was running toward me. AT me. The football was descending in a perfect arc. I was prepared. My feet were planted. I was going to receive the kick. I watched the ball. I watc… Read More

 Greg Clark was running toward me. AT me. The football was descending in a perfect arc. I was prepared. My feet were planted. I was going to receive the kick. I watched the ball. I watc… Read More

 Greg Clark was running toward me. AT me. The football was descending in a perfect arc. I was prepared. My feet were planted. I was going to receive the kick. I watched the ball. I watc… Read More

 Greg Clark was running toward me. AT me. The football was descending in a perfect arc. I was prepared. My feet were planted. I was going to receive the kick. I watched the ball. I watc… Read More

In one of C. S. Lewis’s more striking passages, he challenges us to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw… Read More

The need for rescuing orphans grows exponentially here in Guatemala. These needs change depending on the social crisis."Families are in danger of extinction. But the family is the most impor… Read More

If you don't want your garden to grow weeds, one of the best ways is to keep it well stocked with strong, sturdy flowers and shrubs. If you don't want your mind and heart to go wandering off… Read More

When international charitable giving is discussed in local circles, inevitably someone will say, "What about the needy and hungry right here in our city? Shouldn't we help them too?"That's n… Read More

This is something we posted at CrossInternational.City Church Connect. As we've watched Hurricane Earl sweep through the Caribbean,  Central America, and southern Mexico, colleagues fro… Read More

Internally displaced refugees of South Sudan's Civil War. Photo credit: Cross InternationalThis article was originally published in the Good News of South Florida.“While we were packin… Read More

Book title: Be LightAuthor: Samuel RodriguezColorado Springs, Waterbrook Press, 2016Number of pages: 212Let YOU Be LightWhen I was first handed this book, I didn’t know what I was in f… Read More

“Honey,” my mom would say, “Don’t stare. That’s not polite. No, don’t point.”But I couldn’t look away from a child in a wheelchair. We all gre… Read More

“But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.”—… Read More

“The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.”—Proverbs 10:7 (NKJV) Everyone dies. That’s a fact. Flesh decays and bones dry out. The… Read More

“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.”—Matthew 12:30 (NLT) Some of the most amazing things… Read More

“‘Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says t… Read More

“Yet my friends laugh at me, for I call on God and expect an answer. I am a just and blameless man, yet they laugh at me.”—Job‬ 12‬:4‬ (NLT) People who &l&hell…Read More

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word.”—Luke 8:11‬ (NLT‬‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬̷……Read More

“For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.”&m&hell…Read More

photo credit: bobgoff.comBook Review: Love DoesAuthor: Bob GoffNashville, Thomas Nelson, 2012240 pages Love is the topic. “I’m not that great at spelling and thankfully my phone… Read More

“But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.”—2 Timothy 3:9 (NLT)“I thin… Read More

To the religious people among us: do not play-act. You (we) will be busted. That bit the Jesus says in a parable about the sin you do in secret being shouted from the roof tops, Don't think… Read More

"... a slave of Christ Jesus..." Romans 1:1The thought of being a slave shoots my anxiety levels through the roof. As I write this, I'm remembering I haven't done my morning chores and that… Read More

Phone callsA phone ringing in the night wrecks the silence and with it, my peace. Like Pavlov's dog, that ringing sound has trained me. I don't salivate, though; I worry. The jangling noise… Read More

I don't think I talked to God more than I did when Allie was in a coma. My prayers weren't just quiet and they weren't religious.I talked to God out loud - I'm sure I looked schizophrenic … Read More

Originally posted November 7, 2005I can't believe this post is eight and half years old.Pastor John Chinelly has been a mentor in my life since 1994. Not only has he mentored me, together wi… Read More

When God Intervenes: An Extraordinary Story of Faith, Hope, and the Power of Prayer Dabney HedegardCarol Stream, Tyndale House, 2013273 pagesDabney Hedegard believes in prayer. She has… Read More

Allie goes in Monday to have her right hip repositioned. Her hip has migrated out of joint because her bones grow faster than her muscles. So, like a bow string pulled tight, her bones have… Read More

“And so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”—1 Corinthians 15:45 (NKJV)As I write this, I&rsqu&hell…Read More

“For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”—Acts 20:27 (NKJV)My little girl has some serious health problems that we manage with a variety of medi… Read More

“And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”—Genesis 5:24 (NKJV)Genesis 5 is an uninteresting passage of Scripture. So-and-so lived x years and begot What… Read More

“God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give… Read More

Photo Credit: Justus Martin Photography There’s an up and coming evangelist that is widely believed to be well on his way to being the most prolific gospel preacher of our time. Nick… Read More

“To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding . . .”—Proverbs 1:2 (NKJV) … Read More

I've been able to spend some time with my missionary friend Lisa Collins who is visiting for the holidays. I wrote this article about her and the work she's doing in Hungary.Syria is experie… Read More

I can’t believe I’m seeing Christmas trees going up already. I must admit: it gives me a little bit of that humbug feeling. Seeing those trees makes me think of everything I have… Read More

I know I’m not supposed to, but I have to admit it, I love a good fight. The new New Testament era movie Risen starts with a brilliant Roman era battle scene. This is where director Ke… Read More

I only feel like I'm a day older than 49.I used to pray that I'd be able to work in web and ministry and here I am. I'm grateful for that. I'm reminded of the episode of Friends where J… Read More

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”—Colossians 3:15 (NKJV)I had the best quiet time this morning. Be… Read More

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” —2… Read More

“’For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, my name shall be great among the Gentiles; in every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; for… Read More

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink intoone Spirit.”—1 Corint… Read More

“But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which men ought to work; th… Read More

Collaboration is a buzzword. This is a good thing, but difficult when we're so conditioned to doing what ever it takes to climb social and corporate ladders in our careers. In order to do th… Read More

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and p… Read More

“It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.”—Proverbs 21:15 (NKJV)When someone hurts me, I think about evil, but talk mys… Read More

The book of Proverbs is one of the most practical and easy to apply books in the Bible. Throughout the book's 31 chapters, there are three obvious characters featured throughout the book of… Read More

I cannot live, I can't breatheUnless you do this with me”The Adventure” -- Angels and AirwavesYou only get to do life once. I’m doing life with the perfect person.Twenty-ni… Read More

Peter Akech is one of the bravest, faith-filled, godly men I’ve ever met. We worked together during South Sudan’s civil war with the government of Sudan, on a team of missionar… Read More

“For before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.”&mda&hell…Read More

“Now as the king passed by, he cried out to the king and said, ‘Your servant went out into the midst of the battle; and there, a man came over and brought a man to me, and said… Read More

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to me… Read More