“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31) Jesus teaches us with an intriguing comparison. For most of my ministry I’ve taught this verse like: We know how important we are to ourselves, don’t we? We lavish ourselves with special treatment. We’re enamored with our own opinion. We want to be first in line, ahead of everyone else even those less …
Plans
Don’t you wish God was more specific? Should you give up your morning eggs because the allergist recommends it, or try to push through it? Your heart is telling you it’s time to say goodbye to your boyfriend for good, but your friends say that’s crazy. What does God say? Are you supposed to research gas prices every time you …
People Aren’t in the Way, They Are the Way
“Come and see what the Lord has done” (Psalm 46:8). Jesus wants to share his mission with you so that you can have the same joy for others to believe in him that he has in you. He’s doing something. Jim was one of my mentors with a passion for the mission of Jesus wherever he went. He pastored churches …
Talk to God with a Stick
For centuries, Native American tribes have used a talking stick to allow all voices to be heard in a meeting. During tribal council, for instance, the leading elder holds the talking stick and begins. When he is finished speaking he holds out the stick and anyone who wants to speak after him takes it. Whoever is holding the stick is …
Do You See What God Is Doing?
God doesn’t ask you to see what is not happening, but what is happening right before your eyes. Take a good look and you’ll be amazed at what you’re missing!
Fifty Percent Jesus
50% can be fantastic! When it’s a coupon you have for a 50% off back-to-school sale. When you are 50% done with a difficult project and you made it this far. But 50% can also be disappointing and limiting. When 50% of your day is waiting on hold for others to pick up the phone. When 50% of the tires …
Curious or Complaining
When you ask “Why am I here?” with curious faith that lets God answer, amazing things happen. Because God’s grace, God’s Word, and God’s purpose is so much bigger than any of us, so beyond even our best ideas. When someone irritably sees everyone else on their team as a bunch of idiots and asks “why am I here?” that …
Why Am I Here?
I’ve ministered to plenty of seniors living in care centers. As they wind down their time on this earth, they long for heaven more each day. A common question they ask me is, “Why am I here?” They just conclude that heaven is such a better place, they believe in Jesus who is preparing an eternal home for them there. …
Broken Ribs
“You are going to break their ribs,” he told us. “If you don’t hear the snap, crack or pop you’re not doing it right.” With every ounce of persuasion, the CPR instructor urged our CrossLife staff and others at the training to perform chest compressions effectively. He said that way too often people try to perform CPR but don’t push …
What’s Jesus Up To?
Your adventure is about to begin. Joining Jesus on his mission. Not in Haiti or Ethiopia or Hawaii (yet) but in your own neighborhood, among your own friends, yes even at your work or school. Jesus is trying to get your attention right there, and he does it by being first on the scene. He’s up to something already! Get …