September 16, 2026 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2: 1-4, NKJV) Back

September 9, 2026 Many years ago, while on a mission trip with Kids Alive in Pucallpa, Peru, I wrote in my journal: I am amazed at the missionaries’ faith and envious of their lives. They have nothing I have at home, but they have much peace...purpose...less distractions. I haven’t seen a television, not worried about the next item to purchase or vacation to plan. The missionaries are not fighting over trivialities but are focused on two things: Christ and th

September 2, 2026 Then Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel at Shechem. He summoned the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Joshua said to all the people, This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Long ago your ancestors, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates River and worshiped other gods. But I took your father Abraham from the land beyond the Euphrates and led him

August 26, 2026 The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.” So, Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men. The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” After an all

August 19, 2026 This past week, I had the unbelievable opportunity to visit my brother, Daric, in Alaska. My brother moved to Anchorage with his family a year ago and this was the first time I was able to make the nine hours flight from Baltimore, Maryland to see him. We had an amazing four days together. First, he took me on the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Seward. It is considered one of the most beautiful train rides in the country, and I would certainly agree.

August 12, 2026 But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So, the Lord’s anger burned against Israel. Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the region.” So, the men went up and spied out Ai. When they returned to Joshua, they said, “Not all the army will have to

August 5, 2026 Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 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

July 29, 2026 Jericho wasn't just another city. It was one of the oldest and most heavily fortified cities in Canaan. Massive walls surrounded it. From a human perspective, Jericho looked unconquerable. It represented everything standing between God's people and God's promises. And yet, before God brings down the walls, He reaches into the city to save one unlikely woman. Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especi

July 22, 2026 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite countr

July 15, 2026 “I thank my God every time I remember you.” – Philippians 1:3 This week, I lost an amazing friend, one of the finest people I have had the privilege of knowing on my journey. Without question, he ranks among the top ten people I have met along the way. His name was Dickie Porter. I met Dickie when I was appointed pastor of the Rock Hall, Maryland, a town of 1500 people. I was to serve three small churches: Raum Chapel, Wesley Chapel, and Rock Hall UMC. Dickie wa

July 8, 2026 It was a terrible time…a time of blood and hatred…a time of great persecution and torture. The Roman Emperor Nero was on a rampage…demanding the public to worship him as god…torturing and maiming those who refused. Then the fire broke out…the year was 64 A.D….Nero used the fire of Rome as an excuse to build a grand palace, “the gold house,” but Nero also needed to find a scapegoat for the fire…and he found his scapegoat in the Christians.

July 1, 2026 Read Matthew 13:44-52 Reading the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price, I am reminded of walking along the beach, looking for Sea Glass. I was introduced to Sea Glass by good friends of our who live in Bethany. On the table in their living room is a bowl filled with pieces of glass of every color. Many times one side is frost covered and the other shiny, the effect of sand and waves. As I researched Sea Glass, I found out that purpl

June 24, 2026 Read John 10: 11-15 and Luke 10:30-37. One summer a few years ago, our family once again traveled to Shenandoah, Virginia, to the Skyline Drive, and camped and hiked atop the mountains above Luray, at Big Meadows. That year we did something new and exciting, something we had never done before. I joined my sons, Nate and Matthew, Rock Climbing and Rappelling off Little Stony Man cliffs. Here I am struggling up the rocks (remember...this was several years ago).

June 17, 2026 Read Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus makes it clear that there must be a direct correlation between how we have lived our lives and our relationship with God. If we truly have a relationship, if we truly have opened our hearts to Christ, to our Father in heaven, it will be reflected in our actions. Once we recognize our own sinfulness, the fact that we are a mess, and realize what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross two thousand years ago, if we wrap our minds arou

June 10, 2026 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying... -Matthew 5:1 (NKJV) Jesus walks up on a hillside near Capernaum, near the Sea of Galilee and delivers His most powerful sermon. Probably over the course of several days, Jesus teaches the Lord’s Prayer and the Beatitudes, proclaims that position, authority, and money are not important in His kingdom, and ex

June 3, 2026 Read Luke 15:11-32. Thirty young men, dressed in shrouds (and thus, nearly naked), were led to the scaffold. The morning was bitter, the temperature below freezing, as they were compelled to stand for half an hour while the burial service was slowly read. He had spoken out against the current regime...treason. Facing them stood the soldiers with their muskets. A pile of coffins was stacked suggestively in a corner of the yard. At the last moment, with the muske

May 27, 2026 This week I am on vacation in Alesund, Norway, so I thought I would share a blog I wrote several years ago when I was visiting my son when he studied at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. ******************************************************************************* July 6, 2015 I had the wonderful privilege of worshipping at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia this morning with my son, Nate. As you approach the front doors to the church there are picnic ta

May 20, 2026 This week I am on vacation in Bergen, Norway, so I thought I would share a blog I wrote several years ago when I was visiting my son when he studied at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. ******************************************************************************* July 4, 2015 Today I had the unbelievable privilege of going to the Sydney Harbor and Opera House with my son, Nate. We were able to see Puccini’s opera, Turandot. The opera takes place in Chi

May 10, 2026 - Mother's Day Three sons, who were very successful, discussed the gifts they gave their elderly mother on Mother’s Day. The first said, "I built a big house for our mother." The second said, “I sent her a Mercedes." The third said, "I've got you both beat. You know how Mom enjoys the Bible, and you know she can't see very well. I sent her a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took 20 monks in a monastery 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribu

May 3, 2026 After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberius, and He manifested Himself in this way. Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing. But when the day was