During the Christmas season last year, I heard someone use the phrase, “Mary kept saying yes.” It captured my thoughts enough that I took out my phone and typed it on a note I had started making with certain Scriptures, thoughts, and words that were speaking to me after my transition last July. There have…
Most days, along with reading my Bible, I will read through a different devotional on the Bible App. Last week, a devotional from John Bevere caught my eye called “God, Where Are You? I will post the link below in the email. Immediately, some things challenged my heart and caused me to pause. It began…
Over the last few weeks, I was privileged to be able to serve on Florida’s State Emergency Response Team, focused on wellness in the area of crisis stabilization from hurricanes Helene and Milton. My role on the team was chaplain/pastor/coach. It was an open door that came unexpectedly but was very rewarding. I had to…
Imagine your life as a teapot, sitting on the stove, slowly filling up with steam. At first, everything is manageable. The water simmers, and the steam rises gently. But over time, the heat intensifies. The pressure builds. You feel it accumulating in every part of you—your thoughts race, your heart pounds, your body tenses. You’re…
Do you ever struggle with the tug of war between how people see you, how you see yourself, and especially what you may not see about yourself? I just finished a book by John Maxwell and Chris Hodges, “Jesus, the High Road Leader”. In the book, Chris addresses the aspect of authenticity. And gave a…
A few nights ago I dreamed about a question, “What is the #1 need in the church today?” It was an odd experience because first of all, I don’t normally do this. Secondly, it was as if I was teaching a group of people in the dream. When I woke up, I grabbed my cellphone…
Coming to the close of a chapter, and getting ready to turn to a new one is always an exciting yet fearful time. Trying to understand it, as well as deal with the feelings and emotions around it can be overwhelming. For some, it’s a get-out-of-dodge scenario. Life will be better on the other side…
One of the #1 struggles as a leader is sustaining a healthy work-life balance. When I had 5 kids at home and a full-time role as a worship pastor, life got crazy at times. Many times my wife and I would go different ways to get the kids where they needed to be. All the…
I was walking the other day and reflecting on the last year of my life. One year ago this last week was my final Sunday leading worship at a local church, after 38 years. I have had so many thoughts and emotions over this year. There have been seasons of tremendous growth as I begin…
I have had a habit for many years of reading through a book a month. Sometimes more, but minimal one book. This summer I decided to add an extra book, and the first one I pulled off the shelf was Atomic Habits by James Clear. As many of you know, it is probably one of…
I was coaching a client recently and felt something was blocking his ability to process what we were processing. I asked him a question and he immediately identified that recurring thought, that he now had grown to believe, I’m not enough! That filter was what he had used to process so much of life. It…
I read an interesting scripture from I Samuel 7:2 yesterday that referenced Israel. It said, “During that time, all Israel mourned because it SEEMED the Lord had abandoned them.” I had to pause as I read that to reflect on two conversations I have had this week with pastors. One was a seasoned worship pastor…
As we approach another Mother’s Day, I wanted to take time to get some thoughts down about the best mom out there! I know many of you will think I’m talking about your mom! I’m not! LOL. I’m talking about my mom, Ardith McGraw! Many of you who are reading this will know her and…
“God often gives us the promise way before He gives us the process.” That was the opening of a devotional I started reading recently. When we are born, we do not come into the world with the gift of waiting. A baby cries because they want to eat and want to eat NOW! They say…
One of the thoughts I have been wanting to write about with leaders is the idea of taking care of the temple (body) God gave us. I hesitated writing this because I know that it’s a sensitive subject to many. Some also feel that this represents body shaming, which is the farthest thing from my…
33 years ago my life forever changed. It was the day I became a father. The title of father happened because a child was born with my DNA. I will never forget the overwhelming feeling of holding him for the very first time. A sense of awe and love like I had never known. Also…
Excuses are those little justifications we offer ourselves or others to explain why we didn’t do something we were supposed to do. We’ve all been there, caught between the desire to achieve our goals and the allure of finding reasons why we couldn’t quite make it happen. But why do we make excuses, and what…
How is your soul? For most of us, that question is equated to whether you have a personal relationship with Christ. Having grown up in the church all these years, that was a common thought. Is your soul ready? Although that is the ultimate question that needs to be asked, today, I would like to…
Crisis: a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger. Have you ever been in one? As I reflect on my life, I have been in some storms that created chaos for people. Most recently, two hurricanes have pummeled SW FL, where I live. Leaving behind destruction along its pathway. As a northern, I had never…
Yes! It’s such a simple word but yet so difficult to say sometimes. As I look back at each significant stage of my life, I realize it only happened because I said yes. A personal relationship with Christ began with a yes. Marrying the love of my life, started with her saying yes! After feeling…
As we prepare to turn the calendar page to ’24, I can’t help but think of all the changes in my life this past year. We added two new grandbabies to our village. I turned 60, and Heidi and I celebrated 35 years of marriage. Of course, the main one was stepping down from full-time…
As I sit today and contemplate that Christmas is one week away, my mind is full of so many memories. I don’t think we ever forget the memories of our childhood Christmas. Even though I am 60 years old, my mind takes me back to the expectation I had to wake up on Christmas morning…
Songwriter and singer, Eric Carmen penned these lyrics many years ago and we sing it loud and proud, yet most of us find ourselves living the amid these lyrics. You know the words, “All by myself! Don’t want to be all by myself anymore.” Oh, I know you just literally sang that chorus out loud! …
What is it about babies? This week, Heidi and I welcomed our 7th grandchild to our tribe. When you hold that little one, something happens to you! I remember after having our first child when we found out we were having #2, I wondered if I would be able to love them like I did…
You may have heard this before and certainly applies to most teams, “ministry would be easy if it wasn’t for people” Obviously without people, ministry wouldn’t be needed. What makes something so special, sometimes can be what makes it difficult. I have breaking news! We are different. If only they…….! You can fill in the…
If there is a word that can cause anxiety more than most, it’s the word WAIT! It’s probably something that most of us struggle with. It seems that when we are born, the struggle begins. No one enjoys waiting. Whether you find yourself at a red light, a drive-through, or a doctor’s office, “wait” makes…
I woke up this morning early, as I often do. I have learned to enjoy these moments of stillness. It’s always a time to reflect for me. I turned on an undecorated Christmas tree, along with soft Christmas music, a fake fireplace, and some harvest spice essential oil filling the air. Yeah, I am a person…
Failure can be crippling. But the fear of failure keeps us from living our best lives. I’ve spent a lifetime not attempting things because I might fail. I attempted some sports as a kid, but soon realized that was not my strength. Yes, I was picked close to the end of most pickup games! No…
November! It’s that time of year when everyone will be sharing what they are thankful for. Although this can feel cliche, it actually can be a great habit to form. What if this year we allowed the gratitude of the Thanksgiving season to carry over into December and beyond? The older I get, the more…
