One of my favorite passages in the Bible - one that reads like poetry even in the English language - is the first chapter of the gospel of John. This morning I read those familiar words once again, " without him nothing was made that has been made ." I don't want to rush through that magnificent...

You have worked very hard on a script for the church Christmas services, thinking through the flow of content, the visual themes, the music selections, every moment crafted carefully in your mind and heart. But now it's time to present this first draft to a roomful of people - fellow artists plus...

Sometimes when I am giving a talk, I ask people to look quickly at the person on their left, then the person on their right. I say, "Do either of those people look anything like you?" Of course the answer is no. "Then why," I ask, "do you look to those people to try to figure...

God, I claim the promise that my life matters to you. I am here because you love me, and because I am loved by you my life has meaning and eternal significance. When things get hard, help me to remember that nothing can thwart your purpose for me. You are always in control, I praise you. Lord, for your...

A friend and teammate sent me some verses this morning from Psalm 40. He was highlighting verses 2 and 3, but the more I read the entire Psalm, the more I realized how penetrating all its words are for artists and teachers. Of course, David was an incredible artist. We have so very much to learn from...

The world needs vulnerable leaders - people willing to take the risk to opening their lives to the influence of others. And to find or develop this kind of leader we need to seek out & create environments that encourage such vulnerability. Environments were people know their hearts will not be sacrificed...

I had the opportunity last night to lead our first of five Good Friday services (4 of them today). We framed this one hour service as a memorial service for Jesus, a time to remember Him through reflection, communion, and music. The focal point of the service leading up to the meal of remembrance was...

Father, it is a humbling thing to be died for. On this day let me remember that Jesus Christ, Your Son, did exactly that for me. And He went to His death knowing full well how often I would forget His love. Let no pride keep me from kneeling at the foot of that Cross. In the name of Jesus my Savior I...

I’ve been reading lately in the book of Hebrews, and was struck by a phrase in chapter 12 that says, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…” How amazing that God has actually defined a race for us, and it is our race to run, and not the runner next to us! Why do we find it so necessary...

God is already present in the most unexpected places. We just need to make God visible. Philip Yancey, Finding God in Unexpected Places