Part 3: Falling Off the High HorseStatus-seeking disciples, church conflict, and the path back to gloryIf you want proof that status is hard to kill, look at the disciples.They walked with Jesus. Ate with Jesus. Heard Him predict His death. And they…

  How Jesus handled status, from glory to swaddling clothIf status is a ladder, Jesus looked at it and walked the other direction.Philippians says He was “in the form of God” and yet He emptied Himself. Not because He lost glory, but because He…

Part 1: The Status Engine: Why we keep ranking ourselves… even when we swear we’re not There’s a line from a Christmas song that grabbed me by the collar and wouldn’t let go:“From a throne of endless glory… to a cradle in the dirt.”That phrase is a…

  By Dr. Jim Wilder and Ed Khouri(Part 2 of 10 from the article, “Through the Eyes of Heaven: Does ‘Talking It Through to Find Peace’ bring Shalom?”) When what people say about us — or how we are treated — does not fit who we believe we are, we feel…

  (Part 1 of 10 from the article, “Through the Eyes of Heaven: Does ‘Talking It Through to Find Peace’ bring Shalom?”) by Ed Khouri & Dr. Jim WilderFor your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure. Matthew 6:21, The Passion…

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:8 NKJV).Christmas is the season when wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, and boxes…

  You and I cannot follow Jesus with one foot and our adversary and the principles of the world with the other. Recently, on a cross-country RV trip, I discovered something new about parking overnight in campgrounds. Each evening, our RV was…

  For the word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all he does. Psalm 33:4 (NIV)  Faithfulness is becoming harder to find.Everywhere I turn, our culture seems to revel in unfaithfulness. Truth is hidden when social media and talk shows…

For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said,“In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.”But you were not willing,And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses,”Therefore you shall flee!“And we will…

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? James 2:14 NIV. Looking around these days, it seems like too many of us who claim to be Christians have been seduced into the…

For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? For we are not like…

  Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.-  Proverbs 3:5-6There is a lot of fear, pain, and wrong thinking rattling around in the…

"Where there is no vision, the people perish."  Proverbs 29:18 I can't count the number of occasions I've heard this verse misquoted to explain the importance of articulating a clear and compelling vision for people to follow. Immature leaders with…

 As far back as I can remember, I’ve been a massive music fan–especially songs with rich, textured rhythm and harmonies. My young ears were captivated by the harmonies of Simon and Garfunkel, CSNY, The Beatles, The Byrds, and The Moody Blues, to…

  It was a perfect beach day. The surf was relatively calm and occasionally broken by a series of larger swells ideal for body surfing or boogie boards. Contentedly, I lounged in my chair under the shade of a large umbrella. The gentle breeze kept…