The last thing Bobbye would have ever wanted for her birthday last Saturday was to go to a football game. It is not that she doesn’t care for watching an occasional game on television, but as a birthday gift it would be appreciated about as much as receiving a new vacuum cleaner for a present. […]

“And to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:19 Recognizing Paul’s prayers reflect God’s will for us, we continue his supplication in Ephesians to be rooted and grounded in love. Last week we focused on the desire to be strengthened […]

We thought we would be with our grandchildren more than we have been–after all, isn’t that what retirement is supposed to be all about? With three of them living on the other side of the world and others entering into teenage years with their own busy schedules and activities, frequent leisure time together has yet […]

“For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father…that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.” Ephesians 3:14, 16 Our previous devotional reflection on the prayers of Paul concluded in Ephesians 1:19 with the prayer that we might […]

I have been amazed to observe year after year the greatest rates of church growth are taking place among previously unreached people groups. Most church planting movements are being recorded in places where the gospel is being planted and there is no historic precedent of the church. Even in places of unusual evangelistic harvest CPMs […]

Travel continues to be the norm. Last month a two-week, 3,000 mile road trip to the Carolinas was followed by a train trip to Chicago. With only a day and a half in between it was a rush to wash clothes, catch up on mail and business, repack for a cooler climate and leave again. […]

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:17 I have found an immense blessing delving into the prayers of Paul. I have always had the conviction that God actually leads our prayers because He […]

The annual North American Mission Leaders conference and meeting of the Evangelical Missiological Society is always a valuable occasion of networking with more than 300 leaders from a wide variety of institutions and mission agencies. This year’s conference being held in Chicago last week gave us the opportunity for a unique travel experience. We often […]

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2 I have always been incredibly blessed by reading the prayers of the Apostle Paul. In most of his epistles he digresses in what seems to be a spontaneous pouring out of his heart in prayer to God on behalf […]

The passion for church planting in America continues to gain momentum, apparently driven by a zeal to re-create the church to be culturally relevant. I have participated in two local training events focused on church planting, attended by a cadre of young church planters as well as representatives of established churches who are giving renewed […]