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Encouraging Words FP

Making an Effort to Live Out Psalm 71

Psalm 71 has been one of my favorite passages over the years in ministry because it keeps bringing me back to what really matters. I am called to keep telling what God has done. As long as He gives me breath, I do not want to miss opportunities to make Him known. Psalm 71:15 says, […]

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Encouraging Words FP

What If God Used You to Help Transform Lives?

A personal relationship with Jesus is far more than keeping a list of rules or trying to stay on track spiritually. It is not about checking boxes or going through motions. It is something living and active that shapes your heart, your thinking, and the direction of your life over time. Following Jesus is an […]

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Encouraging Words

How God Leads Us Like a Great Coach

I have been doing a Winter Olympics themed message series this month, and not just because the games are coming up. The idea of training fits the Christian life really well. Long before anyone competes, there is preparation, correction, discipline, and a lot of unseen work. That is often where faith is shaped too. Hebrews […]

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Encouraging Words

Consider The Timeless and Eternal Meaning of Christmas

Christmas means so much more than a baby in a manger. Links to Watch and Listen to the Message at the Bottom of the Post It means more than decorations, gifts, family gatherings, good food, and familiar traditions. All of those things can be enjoyed, but they are not what give Christmas its lasting meaning. […]

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Encouraging Words FP RC

How to Live Well Today

Live Well: Worship, Evangelize, Learn, and Love. A Call to Live Fully for Jesus Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Am I doing enough with my life?” Maybe it hits you during a walk, on your way into work, or in a quiet moment during a difficult season. You ask yourself, “Will I look back […]

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Encouraging Words

Listen to “Pure in Heart in a Distracted World”

I was talking with my friend Dr. Ken Castor earlier this month and asked if I could reshare this timeless and helpful message with you that he gave at my church a few years ago. It’s about how the pure in heart are blessed when they overcome the distractions all around them to focus on […]

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Encouraging Words FP RC

Building a Marriage that Honors God

Marriage is one of God’s greatest gifts. It’s a covenant designed to reflect his love, grow our character, and bless future generations. Hebrews 13:4 says that marriage should be honored by all. Whether you’re married, single, or widowed, Scripture calls every believer to uphold and support marriage as part of a life of worship, generosity, […]

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Encouraging Words

How the Enemy Works to Pull You Away from Christ and Destroy Your Faith (with video)

1 John 5:11–13 says, “And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of […]

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Encouraging Words

Moving Beyond “I’m Not Being Fed” to Spiritual Maturity

From time to time, believers use the phrase “I’m not being fed” to describe their experience in a church. It is a familiar expression in many congregations, and at first it can sound reasonable and spiritual. But when we look closer, it usually points to something deeper. More often than not, it reflects a misunderstanding […]

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Encouraging Words

Well Faith Wins

“Well Faith Wins” is an encouraging phrase that expresses the heart of what I want to share. It is simple, memorable, and positive. More than that, it points people back to Jesus. At the end of the day, this is not about clever marketing. It is about a truth I have seen again and again […]

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Encouraging Words

When Promises of Wealth Fade Away

A news story recently told of someone who won the Publishers Clearing House prize of $5,000 a week for life, only to later hear that the company had gone bankrupt. What once looked like a lifetime of financial security quickly disappeared. That story is a vivid reminder of how fragile earthly promises can be and […]

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Encouraging Words Marriage & Family

Be a Grandparent that makes a Difference

Grandparents have a special opportunity to encourage, equip and inspire their grandchildren to follow Jesus. In when I was little my dad got married and I stayed with my new step-mom’s parents. I was their first grandson (step grand-son) but they treated me like I was their own. They showed care for me and shared […]

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Encouraging Words

The Best Days are Ahead

One of the blessings of following Christ is knowing that the best is still to come. Life often gives us the hardest things first. We walk through seasons of loss, disappointment, and struggle. But God has a way of turning even those things into good. What feels like breaking ground can later bring a harvest […]

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Encouraging Words

What No One Tells You About Churches installing Playgrounds

If you’ve ever assembled a team of volunteers to work on a church project, you know it can be both inspiring and incredibly challenging. And if that project involves selecting and installing playground equipment, the complexity grows quickly. What starts as a practical effort to create a space where kids can play while parents connect […]

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Encouraging Words RC

The Risk of Silence in Church Leadership

Over the last three decades of serving as a pastor, I’ve come to understand that silence can sometimes feel safer than speaking up. When someone sets their course and locks in their agenda, even a well-meant caution or redirection can feel like opposition. Tensions often rise, not necessarily because of pride or rebellion, but because […]