Dear Friends, This past week I led a team of 13 folks on a missions trip to Piedras Negras, Mexico. I love short-term mission trips because they give me the opportunity to get away from the normal routine of life, and see God in a new context. It’s always a great time of seeing God at work, as I step out of my comfort zone, and fully trust Him - walking by faith through a new culture and new experiences. And through that process, God readjusts my perspective on life and mi

Dear Friends, As I was driving to work today I pulled up at a stoplight next to a 1957 Chevy Bel Air sedan. It was in immaculate condition, painted bright red and white. The 1957 Chevy Bel Air has always been one of my favorite cars because it's the car in which I learned to drive. It belonged to my older brother, and it was a 3-speed manual, shifting on the column. When I was 14, without my folks knowing, he took me out on the back roads of North Carolina and taught me h

Dear Friends, This morning I was doing my daily devotional reading, and came across Genesis 12:2, which says: “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great, and you will be a blessing to others.” For those of you who aren't familiar with this passage, here's a little context: God was speaking to Abram, before he was renamed “Abraham”. God had just called Abram to leave his home and follow God to a new place which God said He would show to

Dear Friends, Yesterday I had the opportunity to encourage a fellow believer to be patient in a certain situation he was facing. I finished the conversation by telling him I would be be praying for him in that area, and he responded by saying, “Me too.” Later, as I reflected on the conversation, I was struck by my friend's final comment, and wondered if he had meant he would be praying for patience in his own life, along with me - or if he would be praying for patience in m