Opportunity is a funny thing.  Sometimes you can see it coming a mile away.  You have time to prepare for it, you have time to pray about it, and you're totally ready when it arrives. Other times it appears unannounced, as fast as a lightning bolt.  No warning whatsoever.  You aren't afforded the luxury of time to pray about it.  You may not even be able to ask several trusted friends.  You have to make a decision, then and there. Truth be told, sometimes I miss opportunities because I was afraid to "take" the shot, the … read more

Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.  Do not accuse a man for no reason when he has done you no harm.  Proverbs 3:29-30 I genuinely, seriously wish that every pastor, leader, evangelist, and minister would read these verses and take them to heart.  They are essential to the life of the church and the health of the soul of every believer, especially those in positions of leadership and influence.  Out of hidden insecurity, we plot harm and accuse our own brothers and sisters when we should be extending trust and … read more

Ten years ago, a medical doctor delivered some frightening news to me.  I had just returned from a cross-country preaching trip to Washington where I caught the flu on the back end of a busy stretch.  I was exhausted and my resistance was low.  On the flight home, I literally passed out in the middle of the terminal in the Minneapolis airport.  I promised God that I would go to the doctor if I got home alive. The doctor examined me, but when he looked down my throat, he gasped!  I had struggled with hoarseness for years and I knew I was pushing my … read more

   Friends,   As the end of the year gets closer and we celebrate the birth of Jesus, I wanted to write to you personally to update you about the year we experienced and about something exciting that is happening here at Crossroads.   This year I turned 40 and also celebrated 25 years in ministry.  As I began reflecting on God's past faithfulness, I sensed a need to "Look ahead and move forward in faith."  We have never had a better year in ministry than 2012.   -Over 15,000 total … read more

Since I am turning 40 today, I suddenly feel the need to share unsolicited nuggets of wisdom with all my friends.  So in the jovial spirit of all the old men that I have ever secretly wished to one day become, here's some fun (and hopefully encouraging) reading for you on my big birthday... 1.  The longer I follow Jesus, the more lovely, beautiful and faithful He becomes to me. 2.  My wife really is the best human being I have ever known. 3.  Black coffee is best. 4.  A few paragraphs in a good book right before bed is better than any … read more

Sunday I preached a message called "Secrets Women Keep" that dealt with sexual abuse, and my wife shared her amazing story of being abused for 5 years before God rescued and saved her.  You can watch the message HERE. Here are the things you do and don't say when someone you love comes to you and shares that they have been the victim of abuse. 10 Things You Should NOT Say 1.  Why didn't you tell me sooner? 2.  Why are you so upset?  That happened years ago. 3.  Stop crying and just put it behind you.  4.  Why … read more

The Grandma Loop Pete was a gangly Mormon with an easy smile. I was a scrawny late-blooming eighth-grader good at turning that smile into laughter. Our friendship blossomed on the Jr. High track team one spring as we both tried out for the distance team knowing everyone got to run the mile and there would be no cuts. Each afternoon practice our chiseled coach who doubled as the shop teacher would give us a Xeroxed  map (Today you would say "printed" or "copied") with a hand-drawn line on the roads we were to run. In the upper corner, in perfect … read more

You may or may not know that October is more than the most beautiful month of the year.  It's also Pastor Appreciation Month.  For many congregations it carries the same weight as Arbor Day.  It means very little, if anything, to most churches. Many people bristle at the idea of showing anyone extra appreciation or honor if they're being paid for doing their job.  I once asked a Deacon if they were doing anything special for their pastor in October and he replied, "Yep, we're giving him a paycheck!"  And he wasn't being … read more

My previous post generated some great discussion, ranging from "Can't we all just get along" comments to sentiments of "If we just practiced discipleship, evangelism would take care of itself."  Others seemed surprised that anyone in their right (renewed) mind would ever try to separate the two because they clearly go together. Allow me to introduce a perspective into the ongoing conversation (or in some tribes and cultures, the battle!) between those who favor one over the other.   IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER If you and I were … read more

It seems to me that there is a constant discussion, or you could call it a debate (or you could even call it a family fight) among us evangelicals over whether we should be focusing all our attention and efforts on evangelism or discipleship.  Trust me...this is a big deal in the church right now.  If you could hear just a small fraction of the conversations I have as I travel and preach... Because I am an evangelist (see Ephesians 4) by call and trade, I get bombarded by the discipleship camp with questions like, "What happens after all those people respond … read more