TYLER GOES TO COURT This will be the longest post I’ve ever made on this blog. In June of last year, when Tyler was staying in his car in a dense woods, he committed two crimes to get money for drugs and alcohol. That was the Tyler B.C. (Before Christ). In July, he became the […]
TYLER QUITS HIS JOB Tyler, the young man I’m mentoring, has a history of quitting jobs, getting back into drugs and alcohol, and eventually standing on a railroad track waiting for a train to come by and wipe him out. So when he called yesterday to tell me he had quit his bike delivery job […]
OBEDIENCE At last Wednesday’s Bible study, Pastor Bill cited Philippians 1:16 where the Apostle Paul said, “I am put here for the defense of the gospel.” The pastor then looked up and said, “We are called to be obedient, not to accomplish results. That is the business of God.” My mind went back to a […]
ABOUT JAKE I had prison ministry last Sunday, with three inmates attending – Tim, Jake, and Jake. I had a sense from the Holy Spirit that something special was going to happen, and it did. There were two true believers who came in the door and three who left. The middle Jake came to the […]
AN APPOINTMENT WITH GOD I attend a noon prayer gathering at our church on Mondays when I’m in town. At this last Monday’s session, a woman named Ellen casually used the term “an appointment with God” when mentioning what I thought was her morning prayer time. At the conclusion of a robust time of prayer, […]
A SETTLED CHRISTIAN I was discussing my book (Arm in Arm with the Holy Spirit) with a pastor’s group in Buffalo last week. Pastor Keith used the term “a settled Christian” to describe complacent Christians who are content with things as they are and not willing to step out of their comfort zones. Pastor Steve […]
ABOUT LOU I met a Mexican man named Lou on the upper deck of the Ruby Princess, our cruise ship. He wanted to have a philosophical discussion on religion, a sharing of ideas so to speak. As he told me his beliefs, I found he was very confused as to what it meant to be […]
Walking My Granddog on December 27 I just came back inside after walking Ossi, a Miniature Schnauzer, 11 years old and totally blind. He trusts that Grampa will guide him safely so he can get some exercise and do his business. But sometimes he strains against the leash to go in a direction that would […]
HIS WORLD We too often try to fit God into our world instead of fitting ourselves into His world. Let me give you an example. I am the president of a Christian organization and am thwarted at every turn by a proud man who does not like my style of inclusive leadership. I pray for […]
RELIGIOUS VS. RELATIONAL I talked to Tyler last Tuesday evening. “I’m in a valley, Pat. Everything seems dull. I’m just going through the motions with my prayer time.” He was calling me because I’m his mentor and he needed some advice to liven up his soul. I asked him some questions to more fully understand […]