Open Mike

Monkified Prayer: Mike the Monk

I spent half my April vacation working as a monk. Which immediately brings to mind two questions - "why would you do something like that on vacation?" Well I'm me, you're you, and saying that God makes everyone different is another way...

Multiplicative Prayer: Start the Journey Today

There is power in prayer. When an entire family or an entire church prays together, there is multiplicative power. Mysteriously, Jesus taught there is persuasive power with our Father in heaven when we pray persistently (Luke 18:1-8). I...

My Growing Edge for the Fall: Ancient Prayer

Right about now is annually a time for fresh starts, new directions, renewed rhythms in our lives. I'm making a fresh start in my devotional life. Today the first day of public school began and college football kicks off Saturday - fal...

Graduation Prayer Because We Love God's Word

When's the last time you went to a graduation ceremony? It's that time of year, so maybe recently. Well, at this one I was on the platform, so during the entire roll call there was no ability to 'let me check facebook' or 'what's a res...

Paper, Rock, Candle: Ask your father!

Something we did in church yesterday made a big difference in my life last night. I saw my Heavenly Father directly answer a direct prayer request of mine. I didn't even have to wait long (obviously, I didn't pray for world peace, the ...

Sacred Place & Incarnation

I am in Ireland right now, exploring new sites of ancient sacredness. Last Sunday's preacher at LFC-Huntersville, Byron Davis, assisted us in practicing something I learned from my first trip to Ireland seven years ago. I wrote this in...

LFC Prayer Trail & My Big 'EPC Moderator' Decision

Friends, would you please pray for me today? This week I'm in Orlando for our denomination's annual national gathering. I will be accepting and beginning a leadership position, Moderator, for the next couple of years in the Evangelical...

Healing Prayer with Paul Newman's Dressing

Yesterday after our 3rd worship service, I was part of anointing a friend with oil and praying for his healing from *&#$%$ cancer. In James 5:14, the brother of Jesus writes this to the young church he pastors: "Is any one of you sick? ...

Confessing and Forgiving this week

If you are praying along with us for Lent, this is our daily prayer focus this week in keeping with what was an intense and emotional sermon for many the past two weeks. I will start each day with this prayer focus and invite you to jo...

Sermon Applications that Expire in 6 Days: Ways to Prepare for Easter

At it's best Lent leads us to have hearts prepared to say YES to Jesus in fresh ways. It's about the YES so much more than it's about saying no to things like chocolate, Facebook, or Cadbury eggs (I don't know if there's anyone passionat...