I usually devote this blog space to aspects of my life story which demonstrate the power of transformation. But I’m going to do something slightly different today. Dr. Tom Mercer came to be a youth pastor at my home church (as a teen — Foothill Baptist Church in Upland, California) about the time I left… Continue reading Precision-Guided Munitions

Well, of course this blog is all about change. And let me start by telling you I’ve had a love-hate relationship with change. I’m guessing that I probably “enjoy” change more than most people, partly because of my personality (I get bored rather easily). But also because I’ve discovered that, as I’ve discussed elsewhere in… Continue reading Ch-ch-ch-changes!

I promised in my last post that I would write more about my wonderful, 22-year experience with World Vision. But first, lest I get too chronologically out of order, I’d like to dish some dirt on our two amazing children, Nathan and Amanda. One thing that always amazes me about our kids is how their… Continue reading A word (or two) about our quiver full of children

I remember one day (about 10 years ago) Darlene telling me she thought I had ADD. She would know: Not only is she my wife, who probably knows me better than anyone save God Himself, but she is also a school nurse, and believe me when I tell you she sees LOTS of kids with… Continue reading Grabbing Hold of God and Not Letting Go

I’m going to continue with my (hopefully brief) departure from my life story, by sharing about something that’s been happening in the here and now. A month ago or so, I received a summons from the Pierce County court system, my fourth in 20 years, to report for jury duty. I reported to the courthouse… Continue reading The Justice System at Work

In worship at Elim last weekend, Pastor Martin Schlomer shared a compelling message from John 2 of Christ’s consuming passion for both the symbolic and manifest presence of God in our midst. For the Jews of His day, that symbolic presence was the Temple. Christ’s passion for this powerful symbol of God’s presence in the… Continue reading Salt, Light, and Uber Mushrooms

I have a wise friend at church, and former colleague, Cindy Waple, who helps counsel people (like me) who are walking through some sort of loss or crisis, seeking spiritual direction primarily through active listening … which involves asking really perceptive questions, and a lot of listening prayer. She’s very good at it. I met… Continue reading Clearing Out the Rubble