The work of writing
My first book, Making a U-Turn, was a short book of poems written during a dark season of my life. I was in my mid forties. My wife had left me - for issues on her side of the street and for mine. After almost 15 years it caught me off guard. I really thought I...
Dark alleys and barking dogs
I am pursued by enemies all day long and well into the night. This I know: You are for me! Psalm 56:9 BLT1 It was dark in the early mornings when I started my paper route in the small town of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Papers would be delivered to our door in a...
Make Christmas Better
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 NASB This verse speaks truth while...
A Further Journey
"A journey into the second half of our lives awaits us all. Not everybody goes there, even though all of us get older, and some of us get older than others. A "further journey" is a well-kept secret, for some reason. Many people do not even know there is one. There...
Common Ground
What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come because you want your own way... James 4:1 (hybrid of NASB and MSG) A great friend and I were talking the other day. Matt is from Denver and I’m in...
Never Alone
New things often seem impossible. Nelson Mandela put it this way, Everything’s impossible until you’ve done it. It’s the new and impossible that can get me thinking and acting like an orphan. God spoke to Moses facing a new impossible situation saying I will drive...
Defining Moments
When things change I usually don’t see it coming, feel ripped out of my comfort zone, and most often think it’s something bad that’s coming down. No matter what - when things change they create defining moments divinely designed to draw us closer to God, more sure of...
Go Do
Go do is where it starts. Otherwise it’s just a nice idea…a good intention. Without doing, all your effort is a rocking horse or a treadmill or a stationary bike; a lot of activity, but no movement. Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and...
Go Fight
What ground have you lost, dream have you given up on, habit or character defect have you been feeding into? What do you need to fight for? To get it back you’ll have to fight for it. But you don’t fight alone. Remember, every day Jesus sends us out saying,...
Go Love
Every day Jesus sends us out saying, "Go. I'm sending you out and I'm going with you." Luke 10:3 and John 14:18 BLT [Bud Lamb Translation] To go like Jesus is to go love like Jesus. Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it...
Go
For sure there is a time to wait but many wait for perfect conditions which seldom line up. Now is all we have. Go! Opportunity is often lost with deliberation. Pubilius Syrus To followers of Jesus, he says, "Go. I'm sending you out and I'm going with you." Luke 10:3...
Begin With Focus
Keep your eyes straight ahead, ignore all side-show distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Proverbs 4:25-26 MSG Your sustained focus and God’s sustained Presence can take you anywhere. Jesse Lauder, is a great friend and one of...