For many years, the late Detroit Tigers broadcaster, Ernie Harwell, would begin the initial spring training baseball game by quoting Song of Solomon 2:11-12 “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land”.…

I would like to share a testimony from my Dad: Rereading Timothy Keller’s The Prodigal God reminded me of my long journey from legalism to grace. There were significant stops along the way. In the early years of my ministry, I resembled the elder brother in the familiar story in Luke 15. I was judgmental…

This month we celebrate America’s 244th birthday, freedom and our declaration of independence as a nation.  Freedom and independence are certainly two of our most cherished values which we often take for granted. However, as ‘citizens of heaven’ and Christ followers, we must remind ourselves of our need to regularly declare our ‘declaration of dependence’.…

 The year was 1961 and newly elected President John F. Kennedy was giving his inaugural address.  One famous line from his speech is the infamous statement: “Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country”.  During President Kennedy’s time in office, many volunteer organizations like the…

In the midst of the global pandemic, one horrific incident on Memorial Day shifted the focus of our nation from Covid-19 to the systemic problems in our country that led to the death of George Floyd.  Protesters, the news media, as well as social media are all calling for change in our nation.  I think…

2 Timothy was the last letter written by the Apostle Paul. After giving a final charge to his son in the faith, Timothy, Paul writes these words “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished…

Evangelist and missionary, Ron Hutchcraft introduced me to the ‘3 Open Prayer’ many years ago.  This prayer is based on 3 verses from Scripture and is a way to begin praying as we think about sharing the gospel with others. 1. “Lord, open the door” (an opportunity to share the gospel) Colossians 4:3 “And pray…

Mother’s Day, 2020: a day set aside to recognize the great influence and impact of moms in our lives. The old saying is true, “the hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world”.  I would like to take a moment to tell the story of 3 moms who have influenced my life.  These moms are/were…

The Apostle Paul spent lots of time confined either in prison or under ‘house arrest’ and yet, in the midst of confinement, he writes a letter to the Philippian church.  The theme of the letter? It is known as the Joy Epistle!   Can we really experience joy in the midst of confinement?     Let’s briefly examine…

Most of our nation is living under some sort of ‘stay-at-home’ order that has resulted in a lot of “extra time” on our hands.  Ephesians 5:16 encourages us to “redeem the time” or “to make wise use of every opportunity”.  How can we make wise use of this time of confinement? The apostle Paul spent…

There has been a lot of discussion amidst Governor Whitmer’s “stay-at-home” order about the topic of essential workers and non-essential workers.  I think in one sense, we all like to think that our jobs are essential!  But what are the essentials we need spiritually in our relationship with God during this time of national emergency…

Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in  trouble.  Therefore we will not fear …” Psalm 34:8b – “… blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him”. Most of the Psalms were written during times of crisis and distress.  The Psalms can be a great source of comfort…

The late Truett Cathy, who founded the fast food restaurant Chick-fil-A in 1946, left a remarkable legacy! Not just a business legacy that benefits millions of customers each year, but an incredible spiritual legacy.  Truett had a deep love for God and family, which is reflected in the ‘closed on Sunday’ policy so that employees…

Just before Thanksgiving, NBC Today Show host, Savannah Guthrie temporarily lost the vision when her young son accidentally threw a toy that hit her in the eye.  She recently had surgery to repair the damage. We hope and pray that all goes well for Savannah. Our vision is something that most of us take for…

Max Lucado’s latest book is entitled How Happiness Happens  subtitled ‘Finding Lasting  Joy in a World of Comparison, Disappointment and Unmet Expectations’. In his research, he discovered that fewer and fewer Americans are experiencing happiness. Only  1/3  of Americans, in a recent Harris Poll, responded that they were happy. As we embark on what is…

Diane and I recently returned from a celebration of our friends’ 25th wedding anniversary.  It was an extravagant event held at the Grand Hotel on Mackinaw Island. I had the privilege of leading a vow renewal ceremony on the front porch of the hotel, overlooking the straits of Mackinaw. Following the ceremony, 50 family members…

AUTUMN! My favorite of the four seasons. Warm days, cool nights, changing leaves and the aroma of pumpkin spice in the air! Among the many reasons I like fall is the rhythm and routine that fall and school/work schedules bring into our lives. I trust that part of your rhythm and routine is to schedule…