There’s nothing more beautiful when God meets us in big ways. God can show up with big miracles, moving mountains and breaking walls that keep people from knowing Him and it’s an incredible work when He does. However, in our loud, fast paced culture, we sometimes miss the moments that are equally as powerful, groundbreaking and life changing; it’s in the moments that we are still. Oftentimes it’s in the stillness where the deep things of our soul are revealed before God and we begin to let the Holy Spirit renew the things that are normally buried in the Busy. Still Vol. 1 by Calvary Music is a ..read more

As I was walking the dog one particularly beautiful afternoon some weeks ago, the sun and breeze startled me from my screen-induced stupor and called my attention upward. A band of cirrus clouds slowly passed overhead as if to shout, “Hey! Look up here! What have you been so busy with indoors?” The nearby Ficus branches roared in the wind and reminded me of Isaiah’s words: “the trees of the field will clap their hands [in praise].” Foraging birds and squirrels froze at first sight of my four-legged best friend and then, all at once, scattered for shelter.  I marveled at how effortlessly ..read more

I have discovered some unique things from this place of contentment. When you are looking for satisfaction in imperfect things like a church service, a spouse, children, home-making, and job performance, it’s nearly impossible to escape the loop of complaining and bitterness. You will evaluate everything, all the time, because you want “everything” to become your preference. A content soul in Jesus is not searching because it has already found him. It’s settled and unshaken by the methods of lifestyles around it. This soul has discovered the person who holds contentment and has traded everythi ..read more

As the year comes to a close, and we begin celebrating the holiday season, there is a cultural phrase that sticks out to me the most this time of year: “the season of giving”. This usually is in reference to the fact that this time of year is when we tend to give gifts to our friends, families, neighbors, co-workers, loved ones; to show the appreciation and gratitude we have for them. As much as I love this time of year, music, food, weather, (even though South  Florida fall weather is just a less scorching summer with random cold fronts, it’s still beautiful!) The thing that makes it bit ..read more

“Everybody has their thing,” my pastor said during our staff meeting one particular Tuesday as we were going over prayer requests that had been turned in the previous Sunday. A look around the table, I knew we, the staff of our church, were each carrying our own concerns as we met to lift up the burdens of others. We read off each request--failing health, unsaved family members, divorce, job changes--so many heavy weights, each a jumbotron scrolling the same headline: This is not how it’s supposed to be!  I think that’s part of what it means for eternity to be written on our hearts. (Eccl ..read more

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5 There is a Biblical doctrine that often stumps believers and unbelievers alike. Scripture tells us that the Lord our God is one. Yet, it also points us to the eternal existence of three uncreated beings, all present at the foundation of the universe, all active participants in the plan of salvation. The Father is God. The Son is God. The Holy Spirit is God. They are three distinct persons, and quite mysteriously, three parts ..read more

The truest model of worship is love Himself—Jesus. It's evident that Jesus loves through the eyes of His Father, yet the only way He knows the heart of His Father is by being in the secret place–deepening His knowledge of God. As we read in the Scriptures, we see that our first act of worship is love. The way that Jesus walks stems from that understanding of love. Christ Himself says it in Matthew 22:37-38, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” God calls us to love, yet how can we love Him ..read more

For those of us who have grown up in church, singing before and after a sermon is perfectly normal. In fact, it’s expected. However, when I invite unchurched friends to a Sunday morning service, I take in the experience through their eyes and suddenly everything seems unusual. Especially the singing part.  We use a language that is foreign to the world. Sure, we try to make church “relevant” to a wide-range of cultures, but the Bible, though written thousands of years ago, is applicable to each generation–it’s real, it’s raw, it breaks, and then it mends. And this is (or at least should b ..read more

It is time for the church, the Bride, to come back to a revelation of first love.  I write this with affection and value to you, church of South Florida, the eklesia. I thank the Father for you, who has stood firm and stayed planted in a dry and weary land where at times it seems there is no water. You, church of South Florida, have endured. This is no small thing. Unity across borders, boundaries, and denominations has strengthened you. The Father is so proud. Unity will always command His blessing.  However, beloved, in the midst of enduring, in the midst of building stronger syste ..read more

This current age, and time, is distinctly unique because there are so many influential and significant voices. Social media, televised news, written publications, local and national social trends; and even our own conscience speaks daily several times throughout the day. When leading worship or ministering the Gospel in any way, we directly combat these voices with the Truth! Ministering the Truth is such a vast task, to say the least. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, God’s Word is inspired by God and profitable for reproof, correction, and righteous instruction. God’s Word is true from Genesis to ..read more