What is Advent?

What is this thing called Advent? In 4th and 5th century Gaul and Spain, Advent was a preparation not for Christmas but for Epiphany. That's the early-January celebration of such diverse events in Jesus' life as his Baptism, the miracle at Cana, and the visit of the Magi. In those days, believers spent Advent's 40 … Continue reading What is Advent? →

Doubt and Faith

There are days that I have doubts... There are days I question the goodness of God.... There are days I look around the world and wonder… As a believer in God, a follower of Christ, and especially, as a pastor, I’m sure some think I’m not supposed to have any doubts. But the reality is that, … Continue reading Doubt and Faith →

Discouragement

Have you ever been discouraged? The days are lonely and the nights are long. Discouragement typically comes to us because we’ve looked outward and found that our expectations of life or expectations of others have not been met. Problems, especially relational problems, tend to isolate us and discourage us. So after looking outward and becoming discouraged, … Continue reading Discouragement →

Is Heaven for Real?

I've been thinking a lot about Heaven recently. I've been hearing people talk about it a lot, too. But it seems there are many prevalent misconceptions about what it is. Is Heaven for real?According to the Barna research group, an overwhelming majority of Americans believe that there is a place called Heaven and a Hell, but what people … Continue reading Is Heaven for Real? →

Happily Ever After…

Every fairy tale has the same formula. It begins with, “Once upon a time...” and ends with, “they lived happily ever after.” Ask almost any person what they want out of life, and they'll most likely reply, “I just want to be happy.” As Americans, the pursuit of happiness is written into the U.S. Declaration of … Continue reading Happily Ever After… →

Can I Get a Witness?

Whatever else we are as followers of Jesus (leaders, teachers, students, pastors, theologians, servants, philosophers, etc.), we are primarily witnesses of who He is and what He's done. Whatever we might become and whatever we might do, everything is subordinate to our life purpose of personally telling others about Jesus. After His resurrection and immediately prior … Continue reading Can I Get a Witness? →

Who are you?

Who am I? I work at a church as a pastor, but that's not who I am. I am a husband and a father, but who I am is not defined by my family roles and responsibilities. I'm a huge Texas Ranger's fan, but my identity is not wrapped up with their success or their slumps. … Continue reading Who are you? →

Prayer for Teachers

Lord God Almighty and our Heavenly Father, we ask for Your powerful presence in our 72 public school campuses here in Plano, as well as the private schools, those homeschooling, and thousands across our country. Above and beyond the reasonable boundaries of our walls and security (Psalm 127:1), we ask for Your protection over our … Continue reading Prayer for Teachers →

Running, climbing, and dancing

Adrianne Haslet-Davis, a professional ballroom dancer, breathes and lives dance. One year ago, she went to the Boston Marathon with her husband, Air Force Captain Adam Davis, to celebrate his safe return from the war in Afghanistan. But 6,500 miles away from the war zone, a bomb went off in their own neighborhood. The bomb severely damaged her left foot … Continue reading Running, climbing, and dancing →

All for Love

The high priest (Caiaphas) said to Jesus, “By the living God I place You under oath: tell us if You are the Messiah, the Son of God!” “You have said it,” Jesus told him. “But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the … Continue reading All for Love →