Easter as well as springtime brings new hope. Here in Minnesota, spring marks the end of winter and the rebirth of green and colorful plants and flowers. Buried all winter under a heavy blanket of snow and frost, tiny sprouts bravely immerge. I have seen this repeat year after year my whole life, yet I am always amazed that God can bring dead looking things back to life every spring. People drive on frozen lakes in January and swim in the same lakes in June!! Isn’t God amazing!!

Just as God melts the frozen lakes and brings plants back to life in the spring, He raised his Son from the grave on Easter Sunday. I pray that this truth will grab your heart and get your full attention this Easter season. Spend some time in quiet ...

Israel had witnessed God’s amazing deliverance. Held in bondage in Egypt as slaves to build the edifices of Egypt, the children of Israel cried out and God sent them a deliverer, Moses. Through 10 mighty plagues God powerfully defeated Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt and set His people free by the blood of the lamb. The death angel “passed over” (Passover) the houses marked with the blood of the lamb.

Freed by the blood, Israel took the spoils of victory from Egypt and marched triumphantly into the wilderness. When Pharaoh and his army tried to capture them at the Red Sea, God delivered His people by parting the sea and drowning their attackers. Instead of gratitude, the children of Israel immediately began to grumble at ...

Recently I received an email from a Christian friend whom I respect. He wanted my opinion and guidance on the topic of the inner Christian life. His Bible study group was studying a companion text by a Roman Catholic priest who has written extensively about the inner life of the Christian, the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and how to discern His voice and act on it. It created something of a stir in the group. I answered his questions and gave him my thoughts on the subject. One of the group members contacted me via email to ask for further clarification of where I stood. 

The subject falls under the rubric of Christian mysticism. Christian mysticism seeks to grow deeper in the inner life, discern the prompting of the Spirit, and turn...

Let’s be honest, Christians, because I don’t think I’m alone in this. It is hard for me to pray. I’d like to say that I’m too busy or I don’t have time but those are excuses not real reasons. As my pastor used to say, “An excuse is the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie.” So, no excuses. I’m either too lazy or secretly don’t think prayer works or don’t think that God is listening and will answer me. In addition, one of Satan’s goals is to prevent us from praying. So, prayer is hard for me. Why? I can’t see God and it feels so alone. Me and the Unseen God. Alone. In addition, prayer means telling God my deepest, darkest secrets (as if He doesn’t already know...