I sat this morning contemplating how to begin the process of writing The Power of Unity Volume II and the concepts of building healthy relationships in the church.  Sometimes starting a new book is much like trying to dislodge the cork from a bottle.  I have all these thoughts and concepts I want to share, but where to start? However, as I put my fingers to the keyboard the following thoughts began to form. Slowly at first, soon it began to flow freely surprising even me… as the story line developed.  I had no idea it would start like this….. Jonathon was a busy and active teenager.   While his family attended church on special occasions, they did not make church a priority.  The family was overwhelmed with social commitments; fundraising events, school sports, work commitments, birthday celebrations with friends and family, well you get the picture. Who has time to attend church? Jonathon had a busy social schedule, but he could not help but notice that some of his classmates would sometimes turn down opportunities to party with their friends to attend church related events instead.  Why?  What could possibly be more fun than attending a party with friends?  Besides, […]

Many have heard the expression,  “I feel like a square peg trying to fit in a round hole.”  That is to say, many feel out of place and uncomfortable in certain situations.  Although we try our best to meet expectations, we may feel a personal sense of incompetency, inadequacy, and dissatisfaction. Perhaps our job, our station in life, our role in society and /or the church may seem out of sync with who we were created to be and accomplish.  Personal obligations, circumstances, or responsibilities may hinder us from moving forward in the direction we desire. Know that we are not alone.  Biblical role models have walked through similar experiences. Take Moses…. called to lead the people of God out of bondage in Egypt, he first experienced living forty years in a desert caring for sheep. Or Joseph, who was to rise in authority and honor to save his family….. imprisoned and isolated from the family he loved. You get the idea…. but we know that eventually God moved them into the proper position to fulfill their calling in him.  A sense of fulfillment, satisfaction, and happiness comes when we find where we fit and can step into our God […]

  This is from  the new book I am currently working on.  The working title is …. “The Power of Unity–  Relationships that Make Us Whole. ” I have yet to settle on the final title.  I hope to have this book done and published before fall.  We shall see.  This excerpt is the introduction to chapter eight…  Let me know what you think! Do not take the bait,  don’t bite the apple.  One of my favorite childhood movies was the Disney hit, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  The beautiful and innocent Snow White had a wicked stepmother, the queen. The stepmother became so jealous of Snow White’s beauty that she devised a plot to have her killed.  I’m sure you remember the story. Instead of killing her, she was taken to a cottage to live with the seven dwarfs. All was well and life was good in the cottage with seven dwarfs. That is, until the queen discovered that Snow White was not really dead. Her anger at being tricked became volatile. So, she came up with another plan and this time she would take care of it herself. She disguised herself and took Snow White a poisoned apple. I remember sitting […]

  Is it any wonder that people worldwide lay awake at night wondering what may come next?  In a world that seems to be turned upside down and without faith, unity, even unity within the church, seems to be fleeting. Neighbor rises against neighbor, and family members are unable to agree; the idea of unity in the world as we know it seems nearly impossible. The concept of free speech is challenged by those who feel they know what is best for all.  Any who disagree with their personal ideology may find themselves the subject of angry outbursts, and at times, even violence. Actually, violent outbursts may be observed on all sides of the political spectrum.  It would seem in some circles that freedom of speech only applies to those who comply with the concepts they mutually agree on.  Unity, ah yes.  How might a city, country, nation, or even the church hope to achieve unity in a world so torn apart by controversy, violence, and hate?  It can’t, except by the grace of God.  But for God, we would have no hope.  But therein comes our peace and joy, that by His grace we will someday attain the unity […]

  “Even the eagle knows not to fight the storm. The process of climbing higher allows it to soar above the tumultuous wind and the pounding rain. We cannot allow apprehension, anger, resentment, offense, fear, hate, or bitterness to overcome us when the day of trouble comes. Emotional baggage weighs down our hope and hinders our movement. Its heaviness hinders our spiritual ascent. Rather, we must rejoice in the victory and promotion that are sure to come. We must rest in him and move forward in him, with the understanding that the storm is just a part of the process.” — excerpt “Power of Unity”  power, struggle, unity