IT troubles you, fatigues you, shames you. IT is the disease you can’t heal, the job you can’t stomach, the marriage you can’t fix, the rage you can’t tame. IT hurts. IT looms over life. Two towering letters, tall and defiant. IT! They march like Frankenstein’s monster. Each step a thud. Each thud an earthquake.…
Pray Until Something Happens: The King’s Speech
Where the word of a king is, there is power; and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” — Ecclesiastes 8:4 In the 2010 Oscar-winning film The King’s Speech, actor Colin Firth plays the part of King George VI, whose ascension to the throne of Great Britain would be accompanied by his severe…
An Inexhaustible Well of Hope
I met Cindy when she was the producer’s assistant on one of my early records (yes, records… it was a while ago!). The minute I met her, I knew we’d be friends for life. She made me laugh like few others ever have. I loved her goofy sense of humor. As our friendship deepened over…
The Practice of Prayer
They all joined together constantly in prayer. — Acts 1:14 Before Session One Group Meeting Spend some time considering where your prayer life is currently and what your prayer experiences have been. In Your Group Watch Video Session One: Introduction: The Practice of Prayer and take notes Complete Group Discussion Questions Pray Together At…
Why Your Prayers Need to Be Dangerous
Hey, Craig, do you believe God still does miracles?” “Of course,” I said. “Good — because your prayers are so lame.” I tried to laugh with him, but my friend’s joke stung — mostly because he was right. We had just left a prayer service together, back when I started working in ministry. My buddy…
Why Jesus Prayed
I look first to Jesus for clues to the mysteries of faith, and regarding prayer He did not seem to share some of my biggest struggles. He never wondered whether God exists, whether anyone is truly listening. He never questioned the importance of prayer; indeed, He would flee a crowd of needy people in…
Rely on Prayer
We constantly pray for you. — 2 Thessalonians 1:11 When Jesus was preparing to face the cross, He prayed. He told His disciples to pray too. My heart is full of sorrow, to the point of death, He said. Stay here and watch with me… Stay awake and pray for strength. — Matthew 26:38, Matthew…
Using Worship as a Weapon
Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. — Joshua 6:4 * “The rules are simple,” Pastor Chris told my wife and me. “Take this Bluetooth speaker into that room, blast some worship music, and…
Hoping in Our Sovereign God
Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus, into his royal palace, in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the…
God Is With Us in the Hard Times
We all go through times when life seems to overwhelm us. The Bible reassures us that God’s presence is with us to help us, even when we don’t realize it. The Book of Psalms is full of reminders that God is a shelter from life’s storms, a refuge and strength, an ever-present help in…