Blog Archives

What is your weakness? I ask students this question often to help them prepare for interviews. It’s one of the […]

Nurturing those hurts and offenses will keep you from enjoying the fullness of God’s peace and joy.

When I was a kid, we had a magician come to our school. Bart Rockett. It was one of the […]

If you’ve become spiritual drowsy, maybe it’s time to get serious about church.

What’s your favorite song? Music has such a deep way of reaching into those secret, hidden places in our hearts […]

Why has the term “Christian” become watered down and meaningless today?

We love living on the river. It’s a beautiful place and there’s always something to do. But, the river rises […]

(The following is a family devotional guide with suggested questions and scriptures.) Focus Verse: “I will be strong and courageous. […]

Someone you know needs discipleship, and you may be that disciple maker.

In the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack trades his family’s cow for some magic beans. When he returns […]

Because believers reflect Christ, we should choose generosity and compassion over what we prefer.

Don’t be the person living independent of God and believing there’s no need of Him.

Why are we ho-hum about people coming to Christ and surrendering their lives to Him?

It’s a tense moment in every plot where the villain, hanging off the side of a ledge, facing certain death, […]

God doesn’t promise a way around troubles but a way through them as he walks beside us.

A cable company promises fast internet speeds, locked-in pricing and quality customer service. Now that sounds like a great deal! […]

Praising God in the storms and dungeons of our lives is possible only through the power of God..

If you hand me a box of Jelly Beans, my eyes will light up. Not only do I love them, […]

Make sure that the values you claim to have are obvious in what you actually do.

Why? Do you find yourself asking that question often? When my nephew was little, I could say anything and he […]

(The following is a family devotional guide with suggested questions and scriptures.) Focus Verse: “The Lord is my strength and […]

Nearly every morning for the past several years, I’ve shared my quiet time through Facebook. I started in Genesis and […]

Many Christians no longer believe church attendance is necessary to have a full life in Christ.

Twisting Scripture around to justify one’s actions and beliefs is a dangerous and sinful game.

Yes, God offers forgiveness and grace to believers, but he also requires sacrifice.

How often do you put your action where your mouth is when it comes to loving and serving others?

There are some voices you know immediately when you hear them. “People will come, Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for […]

In our comfort, do we take risks that might change the course of someone’s life?

From our puppies, we have one named Bella – and she is unique. But don’t just take my word for […]

Years ago, when I surrendered my will for God’s, and stopped running away from Him, my life changed dramatically. If […]

Jesus created you and wants you to seek him, so don’t hesitate to begin life-changing search for the one who died for you.

In the movie Shawshank Redemption, Morgan Freeman plays the character Red. He’s been a long-time inmate who is constantly denied […]

(The following is a family devotional guide with suggested questions and scriptures.) Focus Verse: “Pray constantly.” -1 Thessalonians 5:17 T-Talk […]

The family, one of the first things God established, was so important that he set is boundaries immediately.

“I’ll give you something to cry about.” I remember hearing my dad say that. A lot. One of us would […]

Is God trying to shake you up and make you see ministry opportunities you’re missing every day?

Complaints from God’s people are nothing new, but His perspective on our lives is eternal, not temporal.

God uses other believers to speak into your life, so don’t hesitate to ask for help in confirming His direction.

We’ve all studied or read about a great leader in history that, at first, no one would ever have dreamed […]

Everyone faces the mostly losing battle of temptations, so why does God tempt us?

There’s something incredibly beautiful about flowing water. If there’s a waterfall around, I need to see it. If there is […]

If you have been burned, disappointed, or hurt by the church, you are not alone.

My sister and I have always been different from one another. In fact, for many years, she would do things […]

It’s difficult to understand what God wants us to do if we have neglected our walk with Him.

A sweet family recently received a puppy from us. They were very excited, but when the time came to bring […]

(The following is a family devotional guide with suggested questions and scriptures.) Focus Verse: “Let your light so shine before […]

The gavel bangs on the wooden bench as the judge calls for order in the court. The crowd is furious […]

God does not want you to battle the insecurities Satan uses you to give up.

When people fail you, turn to the promise-keeping God of steadfast, unconditional love.

A dear, sweet woman I know is terrified of water. She had an accident on a river when she was […]