Throughout the Old Testament, God's people are called the children of Israel. This identity was exclusive. You had to be physically born into the lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to be included in the covenant.But the New Testament changes everything. After Jesus died on the cross, believers are called the children of God. This identity is inclusive. Jesus said whosoever will may come. His blo...  Read More

There are moments in life when we hit a wall. We've said everything we know to say, done everything we know to do, and still nothing seems to change. What do we do when we reach the end of our reach? The answer isn't to try harder. The answer is to pray in the Holy Ghost.What Does It Mean to "Go Beyond Our Reach"?The Roman soldier carried a spear as part of his weaponry. The reason it was so effec...  Read More

Who is really sitting on the throne of your heart?Every decision you make is shaped by what you value most. Your schedule, your spending, your conversations, and even your thought life all point to one thing: what truly holds first place in your life. And that reveals who is really sitting on the throne of your heart.Whether it is fishing, sports, building a home, or scrolling through your phone, ...  Read More

Faith does not grow in comfort. It grows under pressure, through testing, and in the fire of adversity. If you have ever wondered why life as a believer still includes hardship, struggle, and seasons of pain, the answer may be simpler and more purposeful than you think.It can be tempting to view trials as a sign that something has gone wrong. But Scripture tells a different story. Trials are not a...  Read More

It is easy to stop noticing the greatest blessings in your life simply because you have had them for so long. This is a look at what the Bible says about gratitude, why ingratitude is more dangerous than we think, and how to reclaim a heart of thankfulness before God.  Read More

Taken from our "Building a Better Marriage series  Read More

Think of the times you have wrestled with a difficult choice. There comes a moment when the decision is finally made, and you realize you are committed to the outcome. One such moment changed the course of history. The fate of the world was decided in one hour in a garden.The gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus agonized over His impending sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. I believe it was not ...  Read More

I was correcting one of my children the other day and I was reminded of something I heard once. You know that random thought that you just know is from God cause it brings such conviction but excitement at the same time? Yeah, it was one of those moments."If we need to hear the benefits of obedience in order to obey, it's not really obedience."Ouch.So while I used it to alter the way I was instruc...  Read More

When did Jesus stop being our all in all?  Read More

The meaning of fatherhood came home to me when I first held my newborn daughter in myarms. She was so tiny, so beautiful, and so completely dependent on her mother and me foreverything she needed. From that moment on, my entire perspective on life shifted from what was best for me and my wife, and I began thinking and preparing for our daughter’s future. I was somewhat prepared for this change, bu...  Read More

Back when Jenny and I were newlyweds, we were in the car and driving back to Avis on Water St., in Lock Haven. We were listening to a worship CD in the car, and Jenny was doing fine. I, however, had the worst migraine ever. I was sick to my stomach, my head felt like it was about to explode, my vision was blurry, and I was driving… it was not a good situation. Then, in an outburst that surprised J...  Read More

Many want the promises without the pressing and the product without the process.  Read More