Writing

This blog helps pastors and church leaders foster spiritual discernment and maintain a healthy work-life balance, offering reflections and practical advice to lead with clarity and purpose rooted in a strong connection with God.

We are Listening

My middle name is Samuel. When I was a kid I enjoyed hearing the story of the boy Samuel being called by God. The account is found in 1 Samuel. You might remember his barren mother (Hannah) begging God for a child. She promised to offer the child ...

In a Hurry

David was a pioneer. As he established Jerusalem as the newly formed capital of Israel, he has lots to do. One of the first items on his agenda was to bring the ark of the covenant into the city. This is not the boat that Noah built, but a four-fo...

Ephod or Sword

As we navigate through our study on the life of David, I am astonished its relevance to the issue of discernment. In this week’s text, we find David on the run from Saul. You might recall the dynamics of the situation. David escaped from Saul’s pa...

Open Hands

I was asked to submit an article to a community organization that works with our city’s poor. They strive to help those living in poverty enter into the middle class. They do not do it through financial assistance. Rather they work to eliminate po...

Continually Discerning

Tomorrow, we begin another season of discerning at First Baptist. I have lost count on how many times we have been through a discernment process in the past few years. No doubt, using this process has been helpful. As we prepare to dive in once ag...

Afraid in Preaching

As we enter Holy Week, I am reminded of the importance of preaching the Cross. I am also prompted to preach in a posture of humility as I approach the task. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, (1 Corinthians 2:2–5 NIV) For I resolved to know ...