Are You Climbing a Broken Ladder?

Martin Puryear, Ladder for Booker T. Washington, 1996 “Why do I feel I have to reach, believe I have to rise, When You never said I had to climb these broken ladders?” -Selah While living in Fort Worth, Texas, I visited the Museum of Modern Art and came across a sculpture by […]

Black Friday (Finding Meaning in the Madness)

So many of you braved the Black Friday sales this year? Though I haven’t gone since I’ve had kids (it’s not as easy to elbow your way to the good stuff with two heavyweights dragging you down), I’ve seen my share of Black Friday drama. In fact, my wife almost got mauled by a shopping […]

Encountering the Ark

“It’s bigger than imagination.” – Ark Encounter Slogan Two weeks ago our family drove out to Williamstown, Kentucky where we walked through Noah’s Ark. No, I’m not kidding! Ark Encounter, a theme park that opened in July 2016, features the largest replica of Noah’s Ark that exists in the world today. The construction is […]

Motivating Monday – Redefining Success

“When He [Jesus] had finished speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.” – Luke 5:4-5 Our modern business-driven culture is extremely […]

O – “Out, Damned Spot!”: The Lady MacBeth in Each of Us

“Here’s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh!” – Lady MacBeth, from “MacBeth” by William Shakespeare In one of the most heart-wrenching scenes ever penned, Lady MacBeth tries to cleanse her hands of blood, even in her sleep. Though she and her […]

Motivating Monday – Prayed Up!

It is always a great encouragement to hear that a good friend is praying for us. According to Romans 8:34, however, believers have Jesus Christ Himself praying for them daily! That’s right, Christian! You are daily on His mind, and the Creator of the universe is in your corner interceding for you! Take […]

Christian Artist Feature – Michael Henderson and the Living Art Project

The planned scope of the paintings will combine into a kind of contemplative space for people to encounter God for themselves. I can’t wait to see them. – Michael Frost, Author, Morling Theological College, Sydney This project takes the viewer on a visual journey of God’s love and sacrifice, his faithfulness and mercy, juxtaposed with […]

Christmas Loneliness

Along with being a wonderful season of celebrating Christ’s birth, Christmas is also a time of “togetherness” – a time to gather with family, friends, and loved ones and fellowship with one another. For this very reason, it can be one of the most difficult times of year for those who find themselves alone during […]

Flourishing in the Desert

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not […]

They Call Me “Pastor”

Well, I’ve dropped out of the wonderful world of blogging for a while…I suppose that moving across state lines, packing and unpacking all of your worldly goods, and beginning a new ministry will do that! But we’ve now settled in the beautiful desert mountains of New Mexico, where the people are friendly, the sun is bright and hot, and salsa only comes in “spicy” and “spiciest!”

It really has been a wonderful transition, and our new church family has welcomed us with open arms. At our Pastor’s Welcome Potluck, I became accustomed to having someone flag me down from across the room, calling “Pastor John…Pastor John!”

Pastor. Shepherd. What an honor, what a responsibility, and what a joy. I used to wonder what sort of work the Lord would call me to do, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with His choice.

I also take great comfort in the fact that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, goes before me and walks beside me in my every endeavor. Each of us has been called to shepherd others in some capacity, and as long as we follow His lead, all will be well.

Blessings to you, my fellow shepherds!

“I am the Good Shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me.” – John 10:14

The Artistic Christian

Art, Culture, and Life – from a Distinctly Christian Worldview

Jesus Christ