Spontaneity is a great thing. Many of life's great moments are unplanned. In the same way, many great opportunities are missed by those who refuse to set aside their schedule and plans. The problem comes in when so many people, especially men, say, "I like to live spontaneously" as an excuse for a lack of commitment or irresponsible living. God tells us that a wise builder makes a plan and conside...  Read More

Marriage is simple... IF...IF...if TWO people are utterly committed to Christ. No, it's not always easy, but it's simple. In other words, it isn't complicated. When both husband and wife are utterly committed to Christ, then he is also committed to being a provider, a protector and a tender leader of his wife and children. She is also committed to running a neat and orderly home, to supporting and...  Read More

Does God always get what God WANTS? It's not a trick question. Can anyone KEEP God from getting what he wants? Because God is all-powerful, because he is the ruler of the universe, we tend to defend him by saying, "No one can keep God from getting what he wants. Nothing can keep God from acting according to his will." But this is simply not true. Because of God's JUSTICE (God is JUST) he cannot si...  Read More

What are you hoping for? In the short-term, it might be more sunshine or a better job. It might be to lose weight or go on a vacation. Perhaps you are hoping for more money or hoping to get married. But what if you already possess that which you hope for? What if your hope for a better life, for excellent health, for a perfect relationship, for peace and joy and comfort- has already been granted? ...  Read More

"Come, Holy Spirit." Sin has a 'gravity' all its own- a power that 'draws' every single person on earth. Only the power of the Holy Spirit can set us free from the gravity of sin. But in order to be set free, we must be FILLED with the Holy Spirit. How does that happen? GREAT DESIRE is the starting point. You must seek him, hungering for his filling through prayer. But this 'hunger' and 'asking' s...  Read More

Today is the very FIRST day of the rest of your life. For me, that's an exciting thought. I may be having three or four 'mini' adventures today. It might be something as simple as stopping at a new place for a cup of coffee or perhaps spending a few minutes checking out a new (to me) park or trail. And because I have a Kingdom focus- because the Lord has put HIS heart IN me- I will be looking for ...  Read More

"Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray." -Luke 5:16One of the things that we often hear from men is that they feel closer to God when they are 'out in the woods' or 'out on the water.' In general terms, boys are more easily distracted than girls and have a harder time focusing for extended periods of time. But when we are out in creation, even as our eyes and ears and minds are engaging wi...  Read More

Years ago, Laura and the kids were at a stop light in Anchorage when a truck going 35 miles an hour plowed into the back end of them. Thankfully they didn't have permanent injuries, but the insurance Company said that our car was a total loss. Let me tell you something- just because they said it doesn't mean it's true.I bought the car back from the insurance company, and with a sledge hammer and a...  Read More

"They moved." In Alaska this is a very common phrase when speaking of friends. Our state is highly transient. As a pastor, a little piece of my heart goes along every time someone moves. As a Christian, wouldn't it be much more accurate for us to say of those who have died, "They moved"?After all, in the same way, that Anchorage is a place and Fairbanks is a place and New York is a place and Tokyo...  Read More

Physical strength has SOME value. Every boy and man daydreams about being stronger. But if we were able to listen in on funeral conversations, isn't it true that the vast majority of those considered to be a STRONG man or woman would never have won physical strength contests? Why, then, when their lives on earth are over, do people say they were so strong?For some, it was strength to endure- to ca...  Read More

When a little toddler starts to giggle, it spreads through the whole room. Laughter is a gift from God. Teach yourself to smile and to laugh easily- to laugh at yourself- to laugh at unexpected and inconvenient circumstances. Laugh often and laugh well. There is an idea out there that being serious and diligent means you shouldn't laugh or be light-hearted. WRONG! Yes, there are times when laughte...  Read More

I had an interesting experience when buying a battery for my 1981 GMC 1 ton crew cab pickup. The cashier asked me, "What color is it?" On the passenger side the rear quarter panel is brown, the back door is yellow, the front door is blue, the front quarter panel is black, and the hood is red. Tell me, if five different people were passionately arguing over what color their new trucks should be, wo...  Read More