Ecce Homo means “behold the man.” It is the perfect flashcard to strengthen our inner man once we understand the point behind it. We read this phrase in John 19 as Pontius Pilate presents Jesus, wearing the crown of thorns and purple robe, to the crowd. “Behold the man!” Pilate shouts as he ignorantly shoves Jesus to the edge. The …
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How To Embrace The Process
“Embrace the process!” Those words echo through my mind to this day as I encounter various challenges in my life. With clarity, I can hear the voice of my college basketball coach who would emphatically instruct me and my teammates to “embrace the process!” When we were “slow” in adjusting to a new drill or play, we would hear that …
Read More »How to Get Unstuck: A Prayer for Guidance
I think it’s safe to say we’ve all been there, or at some point will be—wondering, “How do I get UNstuck?” Being stuck is different than going around the proverbial mountain again. After all, when we’re stuck, we would gladly accept another trip around the mountain, as we can more readily perceive the lesson to be learned; all we need …
Read More »Has Your Identity Been Compromised?
In the 21st century world that is perpetually moving at the speed of light, we have become a society of go faster, more furious, “gotta have this, gotta have that,” more “friends,” more “followers” with iPhone calendars on overload, threatening to shut down our very existence. I pose this question: Have you allowed your true identity to be compromised by …
Read More »How To Keep God First
If you’ve been in church for any period of time in your life, I’m sure you have heard someone at some time use the phrase, “Keep God in first place.” What does that really mean? Let’s unfold this truth using what Jesus taught us in Matthew 6. (I get tickled at times when, in this context, people stop at Jesus’ …
Read More »5 Ways To Rise Above Rejection
However you Google it, most sources list REJECTION as one of the top 10 most common fears among humanity. And let’s face it—it stinks. Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to navigate life without encountering it at some point, as I’m sure you have noticed. Fearing rejection from any source (friends, significant others, family, job, clubs, ministry) can stop you dead …
Read More »How To Get Your Prayer Life Back
It is days after the resurrection, and the humdrum of life fills the streets of Jerusalem once again. The pace of the disciples, however, is anything but normal. They follow Jesus closely, not wanting Him to leave them again. Can you imagine their thoughts as they: see Him walk the streets and sit before them; have conversations full of memories …
Read More »Choosing To Forgive: Part 2
Several years ago I was dating a really great woman, Sarah (let’s call her that). I met her through a friend of mine who knew her from his Bible study. When we met, we immediately clicked. There was familiarity of faith, where she grew up, church and a myriad of other things. Like many relationships, it started out with plenty of …
Read More »I’ll Never Say Never
Early in my adulthood, I suffered bouts of insomnia. A constant churning in my mind led me to lie awake questioning my value and my choices. I’d ponder, “Why haven’t I met the man of my dreams?” Or thoughts such as “I’ll never be good enough to start my own business” would stream like a CD on repeat. In my …
Read More »The Most Powerful Prayer Fuel
Have you ever wondered why, sometimes in life, a circumstance draws the strongest emotional response out of you? Why are we that way? I believe it is fuel—fuel for prayer, a supernatural exchange God created to have access to our lives, to lavish His goodness there. In James 5:16 the Bible says, “Confess to one another therefore your faults and …
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