Where Sunday's Message Meets Everyday Life


  • Leaving a Legacy…

    I’ve contemplated what it means to leave a legacy a lot lately. In the span of eight days, I had three funerals and a wedding, so thinking about what really matters in life was often at the front of my mind. In the funeral service of my dear brother Earl Smith, I shared some thoughts Continue reading

  • Don’t Be Like Beau…

    My neighbors across the street have a dog named Beau who considers himself to be the watchdog for the neighborhood alerting us to strangers, mail carriers, other dogs out for a stroll, and various and sundry wildlife that catch his attention. Whenever I pull in my driveway and get out of the car, I thank Continue reading

  • Step Up…

    On July 4, 2004, Grace Fellowship celebrated their first worship service in a high school theater. That first service happened because of faithful servants who were willing to do whatever it took reach people for Jesus and help them grow in their faith. Most of those faithful servants weren’t on the stage with a microphone. Continue reading

  • Be Like Barnabas…

    As we continued our study of Acts at Grace Fellowship, we spent some time today focusing on a man named Barnabas. His given name was Joseph, but he was called Barnabas, which we are told means “son of encouragement.” Here’s what we can learn about this man named Barnabas as we read through Acts: Barnabas Continue reading

  • Remembering 9/11…

    I’m not sure I have much to add to all that is being said and written today – 20 years after the nightmarish terrorist attacks on our nation. But to say nothing at all seems to belittle the horror of that day. I was still at home watching the news when the first plane hit Continue reading

  • A Disciple Named Ananias…

    This past Sunday, we continued our journey through the book of Acts. Our focus was on Acts 9:10-19, where a man named Ananias received a vision from God to go to a man named Saul, lay hands on him, pray for him, and be God’s agent through with this Saul would be made able to Continue reading

  • Go Deeper into Grace…

    I woke up early this morning. As I repositioned myself and my pillow in an effort to lull myself back into sleep, my mind became fixed on the goodness and grace of God. That is a weighty subject for so early in the morning, but it brought to me a great sense of peace and Continue reading

  • Discerning God’s Leadership in Your Life…

    I have had those occasions when the Lord prompted me to do something out of the ordinary and sometimes out of my comfort zone. Although I’ve never had an angel show up, nor have I had the Lord speak audibly to me, I have this inward tugging, something in my heart and mind perhaps to Continue reading

  • Dear Annabelle…

    Thank you for approaching me after the worship service this past Sunday with a really good and thoughtful question. I am always encouraged when people hear God’s Word and think deeply about what they have heard. It is in thinking deeply and praying fervently that we open ourselves up to knowing more of God, His Continue reading

  • Surprise! The Ideal Candidate Doesn’t Exist…

    Well… maybe that’s not too much of a surprise. After yesterday’s post presenting what my ideal candidate might look like, I felt I needed to bring things back down to Reals-ville. Since the ideal candidate doesn’t exist, what are we to do with our vote? This comes a little late for some of you, because Continue reading