The Hope of Healing

Laurence was in charge of the finances of the church. He was also a deacon. There was a great revival taking place all around him. It was said that ‘All of Rome were becoming Christians.’ As a result, persecution broke out under Emperor Valerian in around the year AD 250. Christians who owned property distributed all the church’s money and treasures to the city’s poor. Valerian ordered all bishops, priests, and deacons to be arrested and executed. He…

One of the keys to success in God's kingdom is learning to walk with him in humility. "Success" is subjective and will likely look different as we grow and change with the seasons of life and the seasons of our Christian journey. But it is a universal need to humbly partner with the Godhead, to adopt this posture and attitude in every area of life where we want to see success and Godly momentum. Being humble is showing deference or respect - it is the…

José Henriquez was one of the thirty-three miners trapped 2,300 feet underground when a section of the San José copper mine in Northern Chile collapsed. It was 5 August 2010. For seventeen days all rescue attempts failed. There was no sign of life in the copper mine. The trapped miners had enough food for three days and a little drinking water. When José was interviewed he told how they had prayed to God for a miracle. He described the moment, on 22,…

The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters! 20 For against its will the universe itself has had to endure the empty futility resulting from the consequences of human sin. But now, with eager expectation, 21 all creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children. 22 To this…

Walking the campus of my High School with K-9 units roaming the halls was a harrowing experience for a young teenager. It was the mid-70’s and America was at war. “Race Riots” was our descriptor. Fights broke out daily and police handcuffed more students than I can remember. Fear reigned in the hearts of us all - black and white. Knives and guns were confiscated regularly. Locker shakedowns - it felt like we were in prison. It was evident in our perplexed.…

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…

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of touring the Lancaster County Prison as part of an orientation preceding my application as a volunteer under the Chaplaincy program there. After meeting the Deputy Warden in the lobby, receiving instructions, a walk through the metal detector, and a few more passes with the wand we entered the facility. Not my first rodeo in this environment. More on that later. LCP was built in 1851. Parts of the original structure are still around…

I grew up in the ’70s. It was an odd time for music. Contrary to popular belief the genre of the era was not just Disco. Some of the best Rock n’ Roll music ever written came from that decade, including a song that I heard today.  Boston’s legendary lead singer, Brad Delp performing - A Man I’ll Never Be. Written by Tom Scholz, a fabulous musician in his own right, played lead guitar. Go online and listen in as you follow along with the lyrics.…

“The health of any relationship or organization is a function of the lag time between identifying and discussing problems.” – Crucial Conversations Unity Not Division I am profoundly disturbed by not only the political discourse but the climate of hostility that exists today in this country. Especially when it’s played out on social media (which is neither social or media) and even more alarmingly between people who call themselves Christ-followers.…