As I am now daily walking with shocked & broken parents trying their best to care for their children...children who have been unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer, I find myself constantly thinking on these true words: Be kind because everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. #showgrace

“God . . . is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters.” - 1 Timothy 6:15 I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to trust God. I mean, really and truly trust Him. Not simply believe in Him, but trust Him. Here’s what I know: Many of us do all that we can to NOT think about pain and suffering in our lives. It isn’t pleasant after all. Distraction or denial seem like better options, at least on the surface. But the reality is that pain and suffering and illness and cancer and ____________ are part of the fallen, broken world that we live in. As much as I wish otherwise, there is no escaping them. The only unknown, the only mystery to us

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:16 The sun came up and the Lord’s mercies are new again this morning. My family is together, the sky is blue, Eli is resting, the promises of God are true, and the Lord is on His throne. These are undeserved mercies. In fact, as I sit here, I’m reminded once again of how everything you and I have in this life is a gift that flows directly from the loving mercy of God toward us. Whether we acknowledge this or not, it is true. My prayer today is that you and I would not only acknowledge the loving mercy of God in our lives, but we would thank Him and pra

The Lord our God is worthy of all praise and thanks, in all circumstances. This is true. He is more than worthy. Please continue to pray for sweet Eli, that our strong and mighty God would heal his body and kill this cancer. At the same time, please join us in thanking our kind and merciful Lord today for his sustaining, moment by moment grace in Eli’s life. Holding tightly to these three verses on this Thanksgiving: Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. - Colossians 4:2 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forev

Friends, thank you for your ongoing prayers for Eli and our family. I really mean that. It is not just the “religious” thing to say. It is true. In times like this, there is nothing more powerful and comforting for our family than knowing you are crying out to the Lord on Eli’s behalf. Our God is really big and really wise and really good. Who else do you run to in times like these? We run to the Maker of the stars who also formed Eli in his mother’s womb years ago. Our God is trustworthy and sure. If you don’t know Eli, here is another pic of him. He is a very kind, joyful, humble and encouraging young man. He loves Jesus and he loves people. He is hilarious. He is also a gifted basketball

I'm excited to give away FREE copies of my book (e-version), God's Not Done With Your Church. Let me share what this book is all about... Many churches in North America are struggling to survive, and many don't know where to turn or what hope they have left. They wonder, "Is there still hope for our church?" This book is for these churches. God's Not Done with Your Church will give you a vision of what God can and is doing through declining and dying churches. It not only offers a lifeline of encouragement but a strategic pathway toward new life, specifically through the ministry of church replanting. You may be exhausted and more than a little beat up, but God hasn't given up on his church.