A Significant Life   The year: 1967. The location: Swallow Falls, Maryland. A 7-year-old redheaded boy jumps out of the car, eager to embark on a long-awaited adventure. The sound of the cool, rushing water beckons him as he races to the crown of the cascade. At the first glimpse ...

Before I share our story and make my point, I want to give you something to think about.  What are you known for?  When people think of your church, what words do they use to describe it? My wife and I moved to Sallisaw, OK just over five years ago.  We inherited a four year old ...

“Those from among you shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations…”  (Isaiah 58:12) In today’s economic battle there is a fight to keep essentials going for most rural communities.  At the end of this school ...

Recently a missionary couple serving their first year in Muslim dominated northern Iraq (Kurdistan) e-mailed me about their ministry frustration of so few converts to Christianity!  In all their efforts to demonstrate kindness in tangible ways to these people, only two had genuinely accepted ...

In my contact with pastors and churches in rural America, I find it interesting that many fall prey to the Gideon syndrome of despair.  Prior to a direct Word of encouragement from God, many ministers try to advance the kingdom with a limited understanding of their significance.  Gideon ...

A destitute woman.  A sick and desperate mother.  A prodigal son; these were the kind of people Jesus exercised continual compassion toward.  After demonstrating his great compassion in every synagogue and village of Israel, Jesus did something else.  He made it clear that he ...

If you are part of a small church or live in a small area the last thing that may be on your mind is reaching the world. The Great Commission isn’t just for mega churches. God has let all of us be a part of reaching the world. The last thing Jesus said to the disciples before being taken to ...