Reputation vs. Relationship

Right at that moment when we think Jesus may be watering down the essence of being rightly related to God, we realize that he is actually raising the bar quite a bit higher. The question about fasting, offered by the disciples of both John the Baptist and the Pharisees, as recorded in Mark 2:18 and READ MORE

A Cry in the Wilderness

The wilderness is a place of desolation, deprivation and despair. Here the harsh voices within our souls scream bloody murder, taunting us, pointing out our foolishness, our shame, our sins, questioning who we really are and why we are so lonely. The vulnerability of the wilderness plays on our deepest fears and leaves us wallowing READ MORE

Perfect Peace

The great prophet Isaiah tells the reader of his God-inspired tome that there will be a certain song voiced one day in the land of Judah. One of the lines of that anticipated melody echoes a timeless principle that is worth humming deep within your own soul. Here it is, as recorded in Isaiah 26:3-4: READ MORE

Safety & Satisfaction: A Man’s Legacy

The sages tell of a famous king whose selfishness created much harm for those who followed him. The story goes that he made a vow that no one in his army could eat any food until dusk had come and he himself was avenged on his enemies. This was disastrous because the army was already READ MORE

Heads Down, Shoulders Slumped

Prompted by Bethel Church’s sermon series entitled, “Manhood: A Bold Call For Men of Nobility,” my friend Kay Kiefer, an amazing woman who serves on the front lines of helping people make life-affirming choices, sent me this note. Pastor Matthew . . . . thank you for this sermon series. One of the most stark READ MORE