Click through a collection of leadership and ministry blog posts!
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Rust
The Silver Bridge in West Virginia failed suddenly in 1967. As a result of this failure, forty-six people lost their lives. However, it didn’t really fail suddenly. It failed because of something that happened over time. It failed because of rust. A crack slowly formed and eventually became a 0.1‑inch fracture in one of the…
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The Blue Dot
Have you heard of the blue dot plague? Until recently, I didn’t know of this phenomenon. When a person goes online to purchase a ticket for a concert or sporting event, they usually see all the available seats in the venue that are open for purchase. Many times, they are marked with a blue dot.
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Forgiven
In Ohio, there is a marker placed in memory of a terrible event. It is one of two markers commemorating Vietnam veteran Gene Simmers. Gene was a combat medic in Vietnam. He earned a Silver Star for his actions in saving men under intense fire during one of the missions. That in itself is a…
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I Saw God on the Playground Today
It was a bright, sunny day in Prosper, Texas, recently when I saw God. It was in the hands of my oldest son. His little blond-headed daughter, all of two years of age, was trying to climb a roped playground platform. Her little legs couldn’t quite give her the lift she needed to reach the…
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StewardShift–From Getting to Giving
Most of us grow up with a “getting” mindset. From childhood, we’re trained to ask, “What’s in it for me?”—to measure success by accumulation, reward, and recognition. But stewardship invites us to experience a holy shift—a StewardShift—from getting to giving, from ownership to trust, from control to surrender. Jesus redefines greatness not by how much…
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Legends
There is a story from the year 1140 when King Conrad III besieged the castle in Weinsberg. This was during a time of civil war between different factions. As the battle raged and the siege continued, the ladies in the castle negotiated with King Conrad that they would be allowed to go free, live, and…
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What Are You Called?
Vibia Perpetua was a North African woman from the Carthage area. Born in 182 AD, she lived in a time when Christians were under constant persecution. From a wealthy family, she was married at an early age and, by the age of 21, had already given birth to a son. She discovered the Christian faith…
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More Than a Hallmark Movie
Over the years, people have confessed to me that one of their secret pleasures is watching a Hallmark movie. Some that I know even live for the Christmas season, when all the Hallmark Christmas movies come out. They like it because they know that all the movies are going to have a happy ending. All…
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What Are You Broadcasting?
Melvin Kaminsky was a combat engineer during World War II. One of his main jobs was to deactivate enemy mines. It was a very high-stress job. Born in Brooklyn to Jewish parents, he lost his father when he was two years old. Growing up without a father affected him, but he persevered. Before he could…
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The Age of “Double Down”
Did you hear the news? Humility is back! An atmospheric shift in the culture seems to be underway affecting classrooms, courtrooms, corporate boardrooms, and even the chambers of congress. Owning one’s mistakes, taking responsibility for one’s actions, a refusal to point fingers or blame others is on the rise, causing psychologists and clergy alike to…
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What is Stirring?
Growing up my mother wanted me to learn to cook. Many times at meal time she would have me help with whatever was on the menu. Most of the time I really enjoyed that time and learned many little tricks for the kitchen that my mother taught me. There was one task however that I…
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Living in the Victory Parade
Every August in Abilene, Kansas, they held a parade all through town leading to the fairgrounds. It was a highlight to attend that parade and to see the floats, the new farm machinery, the clowns, the high school marching bands, and even the dignitaries who rode the parade route. Everyone in the parade was on…
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The Dog War
Have you heard of the dog war? No, not the one that happens in neighborhoods around the world with dogs barking at each other through fences. Not the one where dogs fight over a scrap of food in the streets. Not even the one between family members who can’t decide if they should get a…
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Your Miracle in the Making
Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him. So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw…
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An Amazing Miracle
Have you ever seen a miracle happen? Maybe you have had a miracle happen to you. Over the years I have met people who are convinced that they have had miracles happen to them or to someone they know. They can describe those events with great detail and with passionate feeling. They have always expressed…
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Almost Religious
During the recent Christmas season, my wife and I found ourselves at the Woodland Park Zoo. We went there one evening to see the amazing lanterns and lights that are displayed every year. As we were walking through the park enjoying the display of lights and animated creatures, we overheard a man talking to his…
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Overheard
Have you ever inadvertently eavesdropped on a conversation? Or sometimes has someone been talking so loud that you couldn’t help but hear the conversation? I have had many such experiences. Recently, I overheard a conversation between two people. One of them was a doctor who works in an intensive care unit at a hospital. He…
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When the Strong One is Tired
Elijah is often remembered for bold faith and public victories. He called down fire from heaven, stood firm against false prophets, and spoke with confidence on God’s behalf. By every visible measure, Elijah was strong. And yet—immediately after his greatest spiritual triumph—he quietly fell apart.
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Giving as Worship
I recently read a sermon on tithing by a pastor who admitted to struggling with how to preach it to his congregants. I have been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist faith community all my life, and I have experienced many approaches to tithe—some good, some not so good. Guilt is a common approach that…
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First Laugh
It is called the first laugh ceremony. Around three months of age, babies are watched closely to see when they will laugh for the very first time. The person who causes the baby to laugh first is responsible for throwing a party. The baby is the ceremonial host of the party, but the person who…