“I wish I had a relationship with God like that.” The young woman looked at me and seemed to be expecting a response. So I complied. I took several moments to explain to her how that could become a reality for her. Several months back I was out on the west coast visiting my father...

When my cousin and I were both 15 and learning to drive, I remember his dad (my uncle) saying something that stuck with me. He was talking about waiting to make sure other cars do what they’re supposed to do before you hit the gas, assuming that they’ll do what they’re supposed...

Often my own life experiences lead me to ponder the even deeper things of God and His Word. This past week, I got another MRI on my shoulder which I previously had 2 surgeries on a few years ago. As I was lying there, as still as I could, the only thing I knew was that this huge machine was...

Childhood Dreams When I was younger, I used to daydream about having superpowers—super speed to dash into the street and save someone from a speeding car; super strength to catch a collapsing bridge before it crushed the people below; the ability to fly so I could swoop in and rescue...

So, what are your thoughts on God these days? Now, when you just read that question, you either heard it as being asked to you OR you read it as the answer to the title of the post. Either way, it is a great conversation and thought starter for anyone. Maybe you need to be asked what your...

So its graduation season again! A time of ending one season and starting another. A time to be excited about future plans and next steps. For me, this year it is different. This year, three of our pastors have kids graduating from high school. However, for Pastor TJ and Pastor Brett, this is...

Maundy Thursday. Jesus is betrayed, arrested, beaten. But before that. Before the cross. Before the stone rolled away. Jesus fell to the ground in a garden called Gethsemane and begged: "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me." (Luke 22:42)   He's in agony. His sweat is...

Growing up, God was such a distant being in my mind. Although I went to church with my family and even believed that God existed, I didn’t see how he could be part of my life. When I went to college, a friend at work, Cassie, invited me to come with her to an event on OSU campus. I knew...

Growing up with 10 brothers and sisters had its advantages. One of the better ones is that there was always enough of us around to get a board game or card game going. So we would spend many afternoons and evenings playing all sorts of games. However, as competitive as we were, more often than...

Ever read something and thought, “Wow, I know exactly who needs to hear this”? I think it all the time. And as a pastor, I hear it all the time after a sermon:   “That was a great sermon, Pastor! I wish my ____________ was here to hear it.” [You fill in the...