Founder's Blog

Pruning
Three times in the last 10 days the following verse has come up in conversations. I think God is trying to get my attention. …
Who has time to think?
Phone calls, Zoom meetings, emails, work! When is there time to think? Taking time to ponder is not written into my schedule. I think I may undervalue the importance of pondering—thinking…
Submit to authority?
"Bob, please clean your room." I cringed; I did not want to clean my room. Inside I was fighting against my parents’ loving, nurturing and protective authority. I did not like to be…
Proof of Identity
I am traveling this week on ministry business. Due to the pandemic this is my first trip in more than a year—a long time since last presenting my passport or license at the airport check-in…
Watch Out for the Detours of the World
Miscalculating my ability to resist the subtle influences of the world can result in not-so-subtle negative outcomes in my life. I am called to be in the world but not of the world. So, what are my…
Who Can We Trust?
"Trust no one" These words describe the counsel of James Buchanan Duke to his only child, Doris Duke in James Michener’s novel Return to Paradise. Should we also heed this advice? …
Struggles on the Journey – Lack of Joy
The intent of God is that I live a life of relentless joy. However, I often find myself living inside the story of my circumstances rather than God’s reality. The result is a lack of joy…
Struggles on the Journey – Hubris
Hubris—excessive pride and a sense of self-importance—is a constant temptation for me. Yet if you knew me well, you would understand that my hubris constantly rubs shoulders with the…
Struggles on the Journey – Hiding
As I listened to the story of his journey to Jesus, I was amazed by his nonchalant transparency. He described his family life growing up in North America having come from another country and an…
Struggles on the Journey – My Unavailability
While living in Hungary, through an amazing set of circumstances, the President of Hungary made himself available for a 30-minute one-on-one appointment with me. Obviously, I made myself available.…