BLOGS

Off in the distance, I could see it coming – galloping toward me like a herd of wild horses. It was an intriguing yet perplexing thought that I tried my best to avoid. I ducked but it successfully circled my head and entered through my left ear. A sneak attack. “Well …….. with this whole COVID-19 stuff and ministry on hold indefinitely, maybe it’s time to enjoy life a little more. Relax, call it what it is, and cherish these last years of my.…

We invited our dear friend Mark to share a devotional he wrote for the guests and staff at Water Street Mission. I trust you'll be as encouraged as I was in reading and studying it. I recall the delight of seeing the expression on my granddaughter’s face when she saw a balloon for the first time. She laughed uncontrollably when I blew air into the balloon and then let it go. As it deflated it fluttered and danced around the room until it was empty again. I…

Could this be the time? Is Jesus’ return imminent? There are a lot of theories being tossed about inside and outside the church as to the reason for this worldwide pandemic. In truth, no one really knows what God is up to. Did He cause the pandemic? No! Will He use it for His purposes? Yes! So where are we in the greater story that God is writing, or in fact already written? Some see this as a period of rest or reset. The kind you need when you’ve been burnt to…

Last count, 40 days in lockdown. Social distancing and sheltering in place - our new vocabulary. No matter how grounded you may be as a believer, the times we find ourselves in are extremely difficult. Emotionally, psychologically, financially, physically – you can add your expletive in advance of each word. We need to name it. For many, it’s anxiety, fear of the unknown, sickness, grief if you’ve lost someone close to you, and a new normal. Except nothing…

Reminding myself of what my step 4th cousin 6x removed, John Adams, once said, “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” See how I worked my lineage into that? Ancestry.com holds a treasure trove of facts if you’re willing to do your homework. As has become an annual tradition for me I ask God what His focus word is for the…

Earlier this week Dave Runyon, the author of The Art of Neighboring reached out to Water Street Mission to offer a new resource to individuals and their churches. Here is the resource he developed, called the COVID-19 Neighboring Toolkit (linked). Feel free to utilize this in any way you see fit with your friends, family or church. We think it is a great reminder and guide for loving our neighbors in this unique time. In addition to this toolkit, Right Now Media just…

The disciples experienced two different types of fear when they were on the lake with Jesus. When a storm came, they were in ‘great danger’ (v.23) and the disciples were afraid. They woke Jesus and said, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’ (v.24a). Jesus ‘got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm’ (v.24b). He said to his disciples, ‘Where is your faith?’ (v.25a). We see…

Reminding myself of what my step 4th cousin 6x removed, John Adams, once said, “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” See how I worked my lineage into that? Ancestry.com holds a treasure trove of facts if you're willing to do your homework. As has become an annual tradition for me I ask God what His focus word is for the coming year. A…

Here we go again. Another one of those mornings when I wake up, put on a few audio devotionals and hear God speak in parallel places. You know – when the exact message is delivered to your “inbox” and you just shake your head. First, it started with Craig Denison, from First 15. The topic for the day was hearing from God. Posing the question, can we hear the voice of God? He went on to propose that we do so through scripture, through other people, and…