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When I read these words of Jesus from Luke 18 I ask myself, “What is holding me back today?”–My pride–My fear–My stubbornness–My lack of visionThen I felt God say, “I don’t want your works or your money. I want a life surrendered, a life of you saying ‘yes’.”   18 And a ruler asked him, “GoodContinueContinue reading “What are you willing to say?”

Every day has enough trouble of its own, doesn’t it? That’s why Jesus said “Don’t worry about tomorrow.” My goodness, if you insist on worrying – which most people do – at least worry about today. Maybe just worry about the morning, if you must… There are all kinds of things that can go wrongContinueContinue reading “Hang in there, Soldier!”

In the morning prayers of the Daily office we read:Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. WeContinueContinue reading “Fight to think good thoughts throughout your day!”

Here are 4 vital things you absolutely must cultivate in life if you’re going to be a pleasant, happy camper along life’s winding, narrow road. Believe me, the longer you journey, the more you need them!  I bet you can work on all 4 yet today.   —–No grumbling, whining, and complaining.  When you sigh and moanContinueContinue reading “Cultivate the important things … so you’ll make it for the long haul!”

My idea for the post on “How to give and Receive compliments” (1/21) came from the book Speaking the Truth In Love — How To Be An Assertive Christian by Ruth Kock and Kenneth Haugk. This and other great resources on how to live as a citizen of God’s Kingdom are part of the outstandingContinueContinue reading “Stephens Ministry … An outstanding Resource”

[This religion column appears in section B-3 of today’s (1/20/13) Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette.  Currently, the paper does not include their local columnists pieces on their website.  With their permission, here it is.] Don Follis 1/20/13 column:  “Life’s lessons best learned when we jump all the way in”After years of pastoral-care trips to missionaries and pastors, IContinueContinue reading “Life’s lessons best learned when we jump all the way in”

Eugene Peterson’s The Message clearly depicts the incarnation with this rending in the first chapter of John.John 1:14The Message (MSG)14 The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son,Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.For the last five-and-a-halfContinueContinue reading “Moving into the neighborhood”

I am on my 6th trip to Mazatlan, Mexico, and my fourth trip to stay with Kyle and Ellen Benefield in the Dona Chonita neighborhood, where they are planting a Vineyard Church.  They call their ministry … Mexico Mercy.  They have been in Mazatlan 5 1/2 years.  They interned at the Vineyard Church in Urbana,ContinueContinue reading “Mexico Mercy with Kyle and Ellen Benefield”