Enoch, a descendant of Adam, walked with God. According to Hebrews, his pursuit of friendship with God was an act of faith. What this ancient man had is what present-day believers need to have. (14 Minutes/3500 Words)
Read moreA Guide For The Climb - Chapter 14 - War for Unity (Psalm 133)
“The Bible has the answers,” they say. Knowing how messed up life and the world and relationships can be, you decide to read it. Perhaps, you think, you will find out what family and relationships and love are supposed to look like. (13 Minutes/3500 Words)
Read moreA Guide for the Climb - Chapter 13 - Go Back To The Davidic Heart (Psalm 132)
When ancient Israel was set free from Egypt, they began to wander in the wilderness. Their leader, Moses, was called up to Mount Sinai to meet with God. There, Moses received directions on an elaborate tabernacle structure where the people could seek God. God gave Moses instructions for the tent itself and instructions for altars, furniture, the priesthood, and the ark of the covenant. That ark was to be placed inside the innermost room of the tabernacle. God's presence would rest upon it. (13 Minutes/3000 Words)
Read moreA Guide for the Climb - Chapter 12 - Obtain a Calm and Quiet Soul (Psalm 131)
I had an experience recently that illustrates the truth of our next song. As a runner, I sometimes enjoy heading to a local school to run their track. There, I must decide which lane to run in. The unwritten rule is that the slower runners take the outside “walking” lanes, while the faster runners run on the inside lanes. On this particular day, I chose lane three. I figured I was in the faster half, but the slowest of that group. (12 Minutes/3000 Words)
Read moreA Guide for the Climb - Chapter 11 - Learn to Cry and Then Wait for God (Psalm 130)
Our next song deals with one of the more difficult practices of the disciple's life, waiting for God. Because of who God is — and who we are — there are bound to be various stresses in our relationship with Him. He will confuse us at times. We will be frustrated with Him at times. If God is infinite, flawless and perfect and I am finite, sinful and imperfect, then it stands to reason that I will become frustrated in my relationship with him at times. (14 Minutes/3600 Words)
Read moreA Guide For The Climb – Chapter 10 – Steeled For Pilgrimage (Psalm 129)
In the earliest years of my walk with Christ, God placed me in a church with a rugged man for a pastor. He and his wife suffered much physical affliction but also chose pain for the mission of Christ. They were some of the toughest people I'd ever seen. It was apparent that their Christianity took strength, and that their Christianity made them strong. (15 Minutes/3000 Words)
Read morePersonal & Pastoral Updates, Prayer Requests
As we enter into March, I am filled with hope and joy regarding God's work here on the Monterey Peninsula. I believe he is working in powerful ways, and some of the testimonies I've been exposed to this last month have only solidified that belief. (5 Minutes/1500 Words)
Read moreA Guide for the Climb – Chapter 9 – Wonder at God (Psalm 128)
Would you like to experience God's everywhere-blessing upon your life? Would you like to have His blessing within your soul and on your relationships? Would you like to see Him bless others through you, your city, and your church? Would you like to see future generations impacted through God's work in your life today? (13 Minutes/3200 Words)
Read moreA Guide for the Climb – Chapter 8 – Embrace God’s Vision for Work and Home (Psalm 127)
In moving through these songs of ascents, one can imagine the pilgrim. He has sung various songs, traveled along the path, and has approached Jerusalem. He is starting now to think about going home again. He might be thinking, "This is wonderful. I am hearing the Bible. I am singing to God. We are offering sacrifices to our Lord. I am in prayer to Him. I feel close to God right now." (18 Minutes/4500 Words)
Read moreA Guide For The Climb -- Chapter 7 -- Recognize Where True Joy Is Found (Psalm 126)
Have you ever laughed so hard you thought you were going to pull a muscle? Tears flowing from your eyes? It is right for believers to remember God is the designer of the human body, soul, and spirit. He made us with the capacity for uncapacitated laughter and joy. The God who invented that brand of hilarity is the God who longs to give us the truest measure of satisfaction -- joy unimaginable. Our next pilgrim song is a song filled with such joy, gladness, and laughter -- and these are not trivial matters. (15 minutes/3800 Words)
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