I was pondering the incredible number of things on my plate—doing the mental math, wondering if there was any realistic way to get it all done. Deadlines. Details. Preparation  for an upcoming weekend of ministry out of town. I felt way past my margins —already off the page.  Then Trace walked in. “Darling… my email isn’t working. Can you fix it? ” I answered as graciously as I could. “Could it wait until after next weekend? I’ve just got so much going on.” She paused. “Well…

It was getting late. My wife, Trace, and another real estate agent were finishing a home showing when they heard a bark from the backyard. Not a discernibly friendly or aggressive bark — a lonely one. The kind that’s half-hope, half-desperation. The yard was too dark to see clearly, so they approached slowly, listening for growls and watching for movement. Then they spotted a tail wagging and body trembling. That’s when the sensor light came on. What stood there  looked more

Dread! More like  fear. Or terror. Really, just  trepidation —that sinking, stomach-tightening feeling. It all started because my birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year . Great for turkey and family. Not great for remembering that my driver’s license would expire that day.  Trace reminded me—gently, repeatedly, prophetically, for 2 months. But had I done it? Nope. Nada. So two days after Thanksgiving,  I’m driving to a prayer meeting with an expired license,  a tank full of

It felt like the perfect divine setup. Years ago, when we were still living in Orlando, I booked a recording session in Ohio — just a couple of hours from my parents’ home. My mom had been very sick, and I sensed: This may be my last opportunity to be with her. So I packed some recording gear, cables, and clothes into a couple of suitcases. I planned on recording for a few days, then rent a car and drive to my parents' home. Everything was falling beautifully into place. Exce

“Isaiah 61. Where did that come from?” The verse hit my heart so strongly that I knew I had to read it next during our prayer meeting. It had no connection to the songs we had sung or the theme I started with — it simply arrived,  loud and clear, like a spiritual download. Then I glanced over at the director of our Christian school… and sensed the Lord prompting me to read it over  her. So I began: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon you, because He has anointed you to proclaim g

On November 10th, I officiated a committal service at the Georgia National Cemetery .  I was struck by the endless rows of markers of military personnel and their spouses that lined the vast grounds. It was the coldest day of the season, with a wind chill of nineteen degrees. Because of the sheer number of veterans being interred there every day, we were only allotted about 15 minutes. Yet in that short span, the bitter (for Georgians) cold cut to the bone. When I climbed bac

I joined a new fitness center over 13 months ago, but I'm not one bit stronger. I guess  I should actually try going soon. Sometimes our motto can be "no pain, no pain,"  or “If I get the urge to exercise, I lie down till it passes.” But without the strain, without the discomfort, without pushing against some form of resistance , we won’t build the strength we need. We can hope that forklifting  (lifting the fork to our mouths) will be enough exercise, but it’s not that easy

All Hallows’ Eve — Tear Down, Build Up, and Restore “There is a time to tear down and a time to build .” — Ecclesiastes 3:3 “ I will restore to you the years the locusts have eaten…” — Joel 2:25 I prayed about it and felt the idea was from God. For the past couple of years, I have avoided going to the annual Halloween party at the dog park. But that park has become more than just a spot for dogs to run—it has become a mission field .  I’ve prayed  for people there, seen heali

I was putting up a ceiling fan one day when I found myself in that familiar place — grumbling, complaining,  and wondering why  things never go as smoothly as I had pictured it. Trace came to the door holding a small piece in her hand. “Hey, what about this part? ” “I don’t need that,” I said confidently, still balancing on the ladder. She smiled. “What do the directions say?” “ I don’t need no stinking directions. ” Twenty minutes later, Trace showed up again — same piece, s

I got up extra early so I could shower, get ready, and take my vitamins — the ones that need an empty stomach. It’s part of my routine. Every morning, before I do anything else, I take them. That way, whenever breakfast happens, I’m ready — and I don’t forget. A few days ago, I thought, You know, I could just wait and take them after my shower… or maybe on the way to church. Great idea. Except I forgot. Completely . As I drove off, I realized: I didn’t take my vitamins! An

“ We will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Eph 4:15 I felt like she had won...

“This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. ” (1 John 5:4)  With the assassination of Charlie Kirk, they thought they...

It happened again. Another "shot heard round the world." And God revealed it—three years before it happened.

Back in March, I attended Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA Faith conference  with thousands of other pastors and faith leaders. I was...

“Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase. ” Daniel 12:4 My friend, Randy, spurred me on with relentless enthusiasm to...

The roads were remarkably wide open. Even at 5:30 a.m., it was unusually clear. I remember thinking, Where is everybody?  I wondered if...

I discovered an app the other day that flat-out amazed me. I dropped in a song I was working on—vocals and all—and with one click, the...

It had been a rough day—in fact,  a rough few weeks. Everything felt burdensome, taxing, and troubling. Though we were standing in faith...

His message cut through the fog that tradition, bad theology, and life’s trauma have draped over our view of God.

I didn’t fit the mold. I didn’t know if I fit anywhere. But then...