New Book Taking Shape
Some of you have been asking about my book and when it will be finished/available/a reality/more than a dream… I know, I know. I’ve been promising it for a while. Well, as of today I’m 55,000 words into what will probably be a 60,000 word book. The working title is...
Beware the Voices
We will all hear, read, and say a lot of words today, but not all words have equal value. Sometimes the loudest voices aren’t the truest. In our response to this plethora of voices, it’s okay to respond with, “I’m not sure about that.” “I need to think it over.” “I...
Letting God Lead
I’ll be honest. I’m not always certain how 'hearing from God' works. I know that’s not what I’m supposed to say. I’m a Church Leader and I’m supposed to be utterly confident about these things. But I told our church when I became their pastor that I would always try...
Purified Motivations
It's possible to be doing all the right things, but to be doing them for all the wrong reasons. Our best work in this life will be the work we do for others. And in order to do that work, we have to move beyond the realm of self. When self-fulfilment, self-promotion,...
Giants
There’s always a Goliath with a big mouth, trying to intimidate you, telling you you’re useless, the battle is lost and you should just go home. Goliath looks different for all of us, but he always shows up eventually. A situation bigger than you. A problem you...
Start
A few years back I was singing and speaking in Exeter prison. Inside the prison is a Chapel where the Inmates, Chaplain, Guards, and guests like me, all get locked in together. After the service one of the Inmates approached my Chaplain friend, Bill, and said, “I...
When opportunity knocks
Opportunity exists everywhere, but it usually doesn’t come knocking on our door. Opportunity usually requires us to see it, to search it out, to perceive it before it passes us by. Somewhere there’s a charity looking for new volunteers; there’s a young leader who...
Transformed by love
If you believe in God then perhaps the worst way to live is trying to be good enough for him. That's not to say we shouldn't make it our aim to please him, to live a life worthy of his call. We certainly should. But if you are building your life on the foundation of...
Bypasses and time
Life moves quickly, or so it can seem. This in itself is an interesting concept. Ask the mother of an 18-year-old heading off to University, and she will tell you time has flown. Ask the mother of a baby who has been crying all day, and she will tell you time has...
Every Moment
Judson W. Van Deventer had been wrestling with his future. A talented artist and art teacher he had developed a passion for ministry. He sensed the call of God on his life to pursue full-time evangelism but that would mean letting go of his dream of being an...