Church family near and far, Last week, I walked past some thick tall trees. They had lush green leaves (it’s been a wet summer), and thick bark around their stocky trunks. These trees have a lesson about their growth: their bark. The Bible often uses the image of trees: to speak about the fruitfulness God’s word produces in a person (Psalm 1:3),…

Fairview Church family near and far, Who caught Jesus’ eyes? Let’s take a look. “And he went out again beside the sea,” Mark 2:13 says. “And all the crowd was following him, and he was teaching them.” Crowds followed Jesus as he walked to the sea. People were drawn by his ‘works of power’ (his miracles) and how he spoke with authority…

For Godward Leaders “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me?” (1 Kings 21:29) Dear Fairview Family Near and Far, We are entering a patriotic month. Many celebrate July 4, when the 13 colonies officially cut ties from England. It cost the blood of soldiers, and became official with the signing of a declaration of independence on July 4. Today…

Dear Church Family Near and Far, Summer is coming. Years ago, JoAnna and I met a couple on our honeymoon in the Appalachian mountains. The husband explained how he had it all – independence, successful career, and a comfortable high-level beachfront condo. Alone and free: the dream of many young men. Yet it wasn’t what he thought. One day, sitting many floors…

There is a story in Luke 7:36-50, where at a single meal, Jesus encounters two people of totally different backgrounds. A Pharisee is there who invited Jesus to eat, and a ‘sinner’ enters, a woman who causes a scene when she lavishes worship on Jesus during the meal. The Pharisee was not happy about that. “If this man were a prophet,” the…