FALL 2024 UPDATE: Missions, Music, Ministry

We have had a super busy summer of missions and ministry, logging over 60 days of travel between June 1 and October 6 leading, teaching, and making disciples in Christian worship. It’s been a great joy!

Missions Report: Africa with Worship Quest Academy

In July 2024 I served as an instructor in Kenya and Uganda with Worship Quest Academy. This post share photo highlights of our ministry time in Africa.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: Foundational Biblical Principles in the Declaration of Independence

The values in the U.S. Declaration of Independence resonate with biblical principles of human dignity, natural rights, government by consent, self-governance, seeking redress, and a revolutionary spirit. While the Declaration initiated a significant political revolution, the gospel of Jesus Christ continues to drive the greatest revolution in human history.

Faith Equal to The Need

The centurion's level of faith was equal to the need of that moment. His faith was in Jesus’ ability to heal. There is a special gift of belief, "a surge of faith above and beyond normal that appears at the moment to get the job done." [1] This spiritual gift is available for you and me now, just as it was then.

The Pentecost Transformation

Teach Us To Number Our Days

The Psalmist wrote, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Paying attention to the time we have left on the planet is the quintessential Divine Perspective.

Seeking Truth

This Eastertide reflection considers the significance of truth in Christianity, particularly the disciples’ testimony regarding the resurrection of Jesus. An excerpt from the new revised Resurrection Power forthcoming.

BRAZIL WRAP-UP: RELY ON THE GIFTS

This trip has been one of the most intense mission trips I have ever participated in. I am continually amazed and astounded by the ways of God. God uses the gifts of the Holy Spirit to do the work of building his kingdom. God builds his kingdom through his people—regular, everyday people. In other words, spiritual gifts are not just for some elite class of spiritual superstars. God’s gifts are “FOR THE COMMON GOOD”

Brazil: First 48 Hours

Your Unique Identity Is God's Divine Calling

Clarity of identity and calling is what propelled Jesus through the wilderness. Clarity of your calling in God is what will empower you to live your purpose with courage and resilience. Over time, your identity and calling may vary or adapt, but always seek to discover, re-discover, and clarify the core essence of who God created you to be.

Mystery, Messes, & Masterpieces

God's story is not the progressive unfolding of Divine perfection, but rather a series of epic sagas interlaced with shocking messes. So, what does this tell us about God? God’s ways are full of mystery. God transforms messes into masterpieces —that is what He does, that is how he creates, that is how he manifests supernatural love in the natural world.

The Spiritual Energy of Epiphany

The season of Epiphany offers an opportunity to embody the spiritual energy of renewal and recommitment. Although New Years Day has passed, we can maintain the invigorating energy of making a fresh start by paying attention to the scriptural narratives and lessons of Epiphany. Spiritual energy is a grace gift of God that transforms our human perspective. When we gain the perspective of heaven—The Divine Perspective—it shifts and empowers our mental and emotional state of being. Thus, as new creations, are we re-created in Christ Jesus to do good works

Angels From the Realm of Glory: Music Videos in Ukrainian & English

In celebration of Messiah's birth, I invite you to crank up the volume on this wonderful hymn "Angels From the Realm of Glory." In 2022, despite the war in Ukraine, my friend Volodymyr Khlysta produced this delightfully joyful music video of my arrangement with his students at Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary in Lviv, Ukraine.

2023 Year In Review + 2024 Wilderness Preview

2023 marked one of our most productive seasons doing international missions projects and producing worship resources.

Remembering & Relationships [Giving Thanks Series]

One of the most important aspects of giving thanks is to remember.  Think back over your personal history. What do you have to be thankful for? How has God shown you his kindness during the story of your life? This passage reveals the power of remembering rightly. We can thank God for positive relationships, for partners in the gospel, and for his faithfulness in seeing us complete our mission on earth.

Giving Thanks: God's Grace

In this series we are considering the Divine Perspective regarding the question, “what is worthy of giving thanks for.” Paul writes, “I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord who has given me strength …” All right, stop right there. First, we give thanks to Jesus Christ, who has given us strength.

Giving Thanks: Series Introduction

Giving thanks and practicing the attitude of gratitude is particularly healthy and helpful during the Thanksgiving Holidays. Giving thanks is one of the essential actions and attitudes of worship that is in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Furthermore, more than sufficient scientific, psychological, and theological research supports the hypothesis that giving thanks in the context of worship is good for you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Six Biblical Principles Embodied in the U.S. Declaration of Independence

The values and principles reflected in the U.S.A. Declaration of Independence resonate with biblical ideas of innate human dignity, natural human rights, government by consent, self-governance, seeking redress, and a revolutionary spirit.