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For most people, a long prayer of, “I need,” is easier than a long one of, “thank you for.” But it was thanksgiving and thankfulness that marked the explosive growth of the early church. Paul wrote from prison, “Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times. I will say it again: Keep on rejoicing!” (Phil 4:4 isv) This attitude sustained him through the most difficult times.  Pastor Jack Hayford wrote a book called The Key to Everything. When Pastor Jack says something is the “key,” we listen. He wrote, “At Thanksgiving, the imagery of harvest frames our own nation’s...

A permissive culture focused on personal fulfillment and selfish pursuits has produced the ethos of rape. Stanford swimmer Brock Turner was indicted for raping an inebriated young woman he found in distress. Many said, “Boys will be boys.” But when the first response by a young man finding a woman in distress is to abuse her, it indicates a decision that was made prior to that moment. His father said, “His life will never be the one that he dreamed about. That is a steep price to pay for 20 minutes of action.” But what is 20 minutes for him...

RACISM/INTOLERANCE/ANGER. JESUS. I was sickened this week as videos of men being shot by peace officers filled the internet. It was terrible. I was heartbroken, Judi and I prayed for the victims and their families. We prayed for police that have such difficult and demanding jobs. We prayed for little children that lost their dad. We were stunned. Then tonight, warfare broke out in the streets of Dallas as many police officers were tragically shot – some killed, many injured. As followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot be silent, we must not be unaware – this is our reality. This is our season. Some would...

Why Good Friday is Good For me, the real reason Good Friday is good because of redemption! (click to tweet). The crucifixion of Christ is fulfilled in the resurrection. His blood shed for us, his victory over death, his triumphant breakout from the tomb – that’s what it’s about for me – my life gets to breakout of all the corruption, turmoil, depression and sin of this world into a new life in Jesus Christ! Good Friday is good because of redemption! The Bible is very clear that the cross was a place of mercy for you and me. He...

A few days ago Islamist terrorists killed dozens of people in Brussels, weeks ago dozens in Turkey, then it was France, San Bernardino – just this year over 200 terrorist attacks worldwide – and it seems to be a tornado of despair and fear that is unrelenting in its swirling over the nations. We live in a broken, fractured world, made that way by evil. What that produces in all of us is sin, lifestyles that are opposite of living righteous by the standards of God. Jesus said in John, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill...