Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category
I’ve been reflecting on the resurrection this week. I like the idea of resurrection! Something dies, and then is miraculously raised to life in less than three (or sometimes four) days! There are times when I’ve lost someone or lost something (a friend, a dream, a ministry, a job) and […]
Read More...Well, hello agin! Over the last 5 weeks I was on a break—I took some of that time off of work, and I intentionally didn’t write on my blog. In fact, I spent as much time as possible doing things like hanging out with my family, processing my thoughts, reading, […]
Read More...A day of wrestling and weeping. That’s how I describe the afternoon I spent In June of 2011 before the Lord at Descanso Gardens, where I was struggling with what the rest of my life would look like. I had been approached by the Foursquare Denomination to find out if […]
Read More...“Embrace the process” The first time I can recall hearing those words I was a 22 year-old youth pastor going through a difficult time. I can’t remember what that challenge was, but I sure remember the advice because everything in my soul was repelled by those words. How could I […]
Read More...The other day I had an honest conversation with a dear friend of mine. It was good—I was challenged in just the right places to think through some of my assumptions. I left without taking any offense whatsoever; if anything, I was encouraged to grow to be a better leader. […]
Read More...Not too long ago I had a friend visiting me in my city, Los Angeles. As I excitedly drove him down the freeways and through the streets, pointing out all the things I loved, he mentioned that some of it reminded him of traveling in underdeveloped countries. The statement threw […]
Read More...“Are we there yet?” Every parent knows these four dreaded words all too well. This summer as my family drove 3,000 miles up and down the west coast, Deborah and I often heard some version of this refrain. So we decided to have a little fun with the kids: We […]
Read More...“Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as He was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon” (John 4:6) The other day I was feeling particularly tired—actually a little worn out; the incredible journey that the Lord has had me on over the last season […]
Read More...I’m watching the tornado coverage from Oklahoma tonight, and I’m angry! Yes, I’ve searched my feelings and realized that the emotion that best describes me right now, a handful of hours into this crisis, is anger. A few short months ago, a man carried a gun into an elementary school […]
Read More...Abraham Lincoln, who was a skilled woodcutter before becoming president reportedly once said: “If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.” It seems in life there is never a shortage of work to be done, but when we try to […]
Read More...Reading through Acts 5 this morning, I was struck with some radical differences between the early church and today’s American church. And I was pressed to consider my role—a leader of a larger group of churches—and how different I function in that role than those leaders in the early church […]
Read More...“From that time on, Jesus began to preach: Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17) Last week I had the opportunity to attend the taping of a pilot for a proposed talk show. The host was a former pastor who is nationally known, the producer has had […]
Read More...From my recent tweet: 5 YO daughter is trying new courageous things & says “I’m brave like Merida”. Movie hasn’t even been released yet! #Fantastic @DisneyPixar Ok, so it’s no secret that the Clark’s are HUGE Pixar fans, and we will very likely see the film on it’s June 22 release […]
Read More...Recently I was asked to contribute to an online magazine for Ex-Pastors; while I still work for the church, I happen to find myself in that category. The following is my “confession” that I submitted (and I am sure will be adjusted and edited beyond recognition). About 8 months ago, […]
Read More...I’ve been reflecting on the resurrection this week. I like the idea of resurrection! Something dies, and then is miraculously raised to life in less than three days! There are times when I’ve lost someone or lost something (a dream, a ministry, a job) and have prayed fervently for this […]
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