One of the things we need most in hard times is hope. Billy Graham once said, "I don't think people can live without hope. What oxygen is the to lungs, hope is to our survival in this world--the Bible is…
Preaching to the Disengaged
The following is a chapter from my book, The Heart of the Preacher. Most people think of preaching as a monologue, though it is actually a dialogue. The preacher may be doing all the talking, but he’s not doing all…
Why Easter Really Matters (now more than ever)
As we live through this global pandemic, we all could use some good news. Thankfully, the message of Good Friday and Easter Sunday provide the best news ever. In this video, I (Rick) seek to answer two good questions that…
Running with Endurance
Even though the Heritage campus is closed, our school is still open. Students are working hard to finish their courses. But now instead of being in class, they are online. Over the past week, I've been part of several Zoom…
Make the Most of Your Time
In the midst of this pandemic, I've heard from a number of students who are feeling disoriented and out of sync. Like many others, they find themselves stuck at home. Rhythms and routines are gone. Welcome to life in limbo.…
Remembering Zora in the Pandemic
Two years ago, this Saturday, Zora Kightley won her battle with cancer. It had been a long, protracted battle, one demanding patience, resilience, and faith. She, and her faithful husband Jim, withstood the devastating blows of bad news from oncologists. …
Divine Detours
It's a strange feeling to preach to an empty room, but that's the experience many pastors are having these days. In recent days, I have recorded a few sermons in virtually empty rooms. I also wrote a blog post giving…
Pruned
A Master Gardener, an older kindly gentleman, came to prune our apple tree yesterday. He doesn’t seem to know there is a coronavirus – he’s whistling while he works outside. He mentioned that he had asked advice from a professional…
Still
“Be Still and Know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 For over a year, one single word has felled me: [1] Still. As in: “Be still and know that I am God.” Over the past year, through a simple brochure…
The Church in Action (Acts 8)
Acts 8 divides into two halves, both focused on the ministry of Philip, one of the seven leaders chosen to serve the widows in the Jerusalem church (6:5). The first half of the chapter tells of Philip’s ministry in Samaria…
