“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”Psalm 127:1 Mentoring is the focus of my work these days. ATLAS, the ministry I work with, disciples hurting people through their struggles by connecting them with volunteer mentors. For many mentors, myself included, there are times when helping someone follow Jesus seems … Continue reading The Rooting Power Of Prayer In Making Disciples
My family and I are heading up to northern Minnesota on Saturday for a week-long vacation. The past few weeks I’ve tried to think through what it means to rest well on vacation. Here are five thoughts to help me (and maybe you) honor God by resting well on vacation. Actually Rest From Your Work … Continue reading Believe and Rest: Five Thoughts On Resting Well On Vacation
And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.Colossians 1:17 Tim Keller says, "We can, and should, live our lives and order our memories not only historically but theologically - not simply recollecting what happened, or what we did, but searching out what God was doing. This keeps us from over-honoring … Continue reading Don’t Sleep on God’s Sovereignty
The Bible amazes me with its perfect timing and the infinite ways it brings comfort, conviction, and truth right when it’s needed – even with the seemingly minutest of details. One of my favorite examples of this happened a couple school years ago when I was helping my daughter Kayla practice her spelling words. She … Continue reading Comfort Even for Left Handers
God brings them out of Egypt and is for them like the horns of the wild ox.Numbers 23:22 “Why do you always take her side!” As a dad with more than one kid, I hear this from both my daughters from time to time. When fights start, they want dad on their side. When they … Continue reading Like the Horns of the Wild Ox
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”Proverbs 27:17 “You need to make sure you have a mentor.” Those were the wise words Pastor Ben Green, a former ATLAS Board member, told me three and a half years ago when I first became director of ATLAS. He rightly understood that if I wanted others … Continue reading Why You Need a Mentor: 4 Good Things Mentors Give Us
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.” Psalm 16:2 Genesis 2 showcases the abundant love that God poured out on Adam. Along with the breath of life, God provided the garden as a home (2:8). He provided plentiful good food (2:9). He gave Adam the meaningful work … Continue reading No Good Apart from God
“Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?”Isaiah 55:2 Cool Ranch Doritos and Hot Tamales. These are my two favorite junk foods. I could eat them all day, every day. They taste amazing, but I know they have no nutritional value. If … Continue reading Bible Sprinkles
Proverbs 31 was part of my reading plan for this morning. Verses 8 and 9 hit hard. “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” This is part of God’s Word I have not … Continue reading Out of Step with the Gospel: My Silence Toward Racism
As my daughters get older, I’m increasingly aware of my decreasing voice in their lives. Other influences (friends, media, etc.) are becoming more prominent. My dad jokes aren’t funny anymore. (Well, they’re still funny, they just biologically won’t be able to laugh at them again for probably another 15-20 years). Yes, I realize I still … Continue reading Wrecking Your Witness – 6 Ways to Make Sure Nobody Listens to You
