5 Reasons to Hope in God

Are you feeling overwhelmed today?  We can all find ourselves in a place where daily pressures and struggles can start to feel like more than we can handle.  "People are against us"..."circumstances push hard on us"...and "answers to prayer seem silent."  It is during these times in our lives that we can often feel restless.  We then become prone to

FLAWLESS FOOTPRINTS: 3 Crucial Choices

Some time ago a friend was trying to show me something in the sky.  They seemed to be pointing in one direction and facing in a different direction – and I couldn’t figure out what they were pointing at.  I finally said, “I can’t tell the direction you are facing!”

This lead to an interesting thought for me -- Would a person who is looking for something more in life remain "wandering in the wilderness" when trying to follow my example?  The thought was convicting.  I know that money, fame, and power do not satisfy.  In fact, quarterback Tom Brady even said after winning his third Super Bowl, "This is

Awesome Scripture Memory Pics!

I don't know about you...but I tend to learn more when I am able to picture it.  Check out my new scripture memory pic and then go to my church's Facebook page for more like it!

(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grace-Baptist-Church-of-Marshfield-WI/244075188950771)

Find the Topical Scripture Memory Plan photo album to view 12 more beautiful pics reminding you of Bible verses about the person of God.  I hope this may stir you to include more scripture in your daily routine.

Summer Camp

I just returned from Camp Joy in Whitewater, WI.  Today we ended teen summer camp...what a great week!  Evangelist Tom Farrell and Pastor Ben Farrell preached two to three times a day among all the crazy skits, activities, and competitions.  Some challenges came throughout the week...but MANY ("many" is understated) decisions for the Lord were made before week's end.  God is good -- all the time!

Take a moment to check out some pictures and videos from the week!  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grace-Baptist-Church-of-Marshfield-WI/244075188950771

5 TRUTHS ABOUT MY SIN and 1 SOLUTION

A man who walked from New York City to San Francisco was asked what his biggest hurdle was. He said that the toughest part of the trip wasn’t traversing the steep slopes of the mountains or crossing hot, barren stretches of desert. He said, “The thing that came the closest to defeating me was

Camp Kilimanjaro VBS at Grace Baptist Church

We had a wonderful VBS with many "new" and "improved" opportunities...even some rain didn't dampen our spirits.  Thanks to all the trekkers for joining us for our expedition through the book of Proverbs -- and thanks to the many volunteer workers who put countless hours into making the 2015 VBS amazing!!  Here's a few pictures from our 2015 Vacation Bible School...enjoy!!

5 HABITS OF A GODLY MAN OR WOMAN

We all have habits that we stick pretty close to – right?   The pew we always sit in at church... The food we always have for a certain holiday...The routine we follow to get ready for work everyday.…and the list goes on!  The truth is -- every believer truly wants

5 Ways Scripture Memory Will Impact Your Family

Our church's scripture meditation theme for the month of June is "God's Holiness."  My church is in the habit of memorizing Bible verses according to a specific topic on a monthly basis.  In August, we will have completed 6 years of memorizing scripture with this plan.  For the first 5 years, my church memorized verses on the theme of "Discipleship."  By the end of 5 years,

5 Choices for a Deeper Walk with God

How often do you purposely memorize scripture?  Need to stop making excuses and get started?  Here's a good program to consider.  It is just one verse a month -- memorizing according to topics.  Over a 12 month period you will memorize 12 verses that directly connect to 12 different themes...and over a 5 year period you will memorize 5 verses that directly connect to each of the 12 themes.  Isn't that how we usually need to recall passages of scripture -- according to topics?  This program currently has a completed 5 year theme -- "Discipleship" -- online...and a new theme -- "More about Jesus" in the first year of the 5 year program. The pictures on this post are created to...

Mother's Day Sacred Concert

My family will be presenting a special sacred concert this Sunday, May 10, at Grace Baptist Church.  My wife will be performing her new original piano arrangement of the old hymn "Nearer, Still Nearer" (absolutely amazing!!), a trumpet, a violin, and powerful piano music will all have their part.  Our entire family will also be...

FREEDOM'S COST

I am so thankful for the United States of America military.  They (and their families) have sacrificed much to secure the freedoms I enjoy today.  They have endured many sleepless nights, much physical pain, the life-threatening action of violence, emotional scars, relational wounds, and that is only the beginning...and it was all to secure the...

The Battle of the Mind

It is so important to realign my thinking with God's Word.  A really "bad day," or some sleep deprivation can totally turn my thinking to a more feelings based foundation instead of a truth based reality.  Then my thoughts run to conclusions that drive me to disappointing, or even shocking, actions.  "This is impossible!" or "nobody truly loves me!" are both lies that every believer has either considered (but then talked yourself back to reality) or fully embraced. These lies (and many other lies like them) are powerful enough to...

6 Things My Gram Believed

This picture of my Gram was taken for her 90th birthday...it's one of my favs!  A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of celebrating the life of Gram at her memorial service.  She was 102 years old. She is now rejoicing with her Savior in heaven.    She is now free from the struggles of her failing earthly body and has been promoted to glory!  I can only imagine what she now
sees that I currently know by faith...incredible, unsurpassed --

My Gram

On March 18, 2015, my grandmother passed from this life right into the arms of her Savior.  My family always called this special lady "Gram."  This first picture was taken on her

Our Game Plan

"I don't go to church," was the response to my invitation to a special church service.  Here I stood talking to a professing believer who began to justify his reasoning for skipping out on church.  I discovered he was saved as I began to witness to him.  We enjoyed some fellowship, conversation about the Bible, and various blessings from the Lord.  Then I extended an invitation to which I received, "I don't go to church."  It was the first time I had heard such a reply from a believer.  I stood there trying to process his response as he pursued justifying his decision.  "Church is too

4 Strategies to Battle Wrong Thinking

Years ago we had a mission team visit our church planting work out west.  The team leader had a little girl the same age as one of our daughters.  The mission team was gathered in the living room and kitchen with my wife and I talking about the upcoming week of ministry.  We were making plans for various opportunities in the week to come, and quite honestly, just having a good time of fellowship.  I guess time passed by quicker than we realized and all of the sudden my wife and another mother seemingly looked at each other at the same time with a look of concern.  Where are the

7 Ways to Live Your Life

My family did things a little differently this year.  We were tired of making commitments (like lose weight/get in better shape, or reach out more to others, or be more consistent in our Bible study time) and, well frankly, dropping the ball!  So, this year we asked everyone (kiddos and Mom & Dad) to make a list of three commitments.  One had to be a physical commitment (taking care of the temple of the Holy Spirit -- all of us are saved).  One had to be a spiritual commitment (growing in our walk with the Lord).  One could be anything they wanted.  Everyone came up with their own list of three commitments and then we each took a turn to share our own commitments with each other during a "Family Time."  This was encouraging!  Some of our teens talked about

4 Targets to Help Know Your Bible

How well do you know the Word of God?  I am pretty sure that the average believer wouldn't call himself a novice, but he also wouldn't call himself a Bible scholar.  Let me ask the same question a different way - do you know the Word of God better today than you did a year ago today?  What verses have you memorized over the last year? Do you purposely take time to memorize scripture? Statistics show that those who regularly read, study, and memorize the Bible often have a specific time and place they dig into the Bible every day.  So, what time of day and in what place do you do your daily "digging into the Word?"  By this time you might be thinking something like: "None of your business...that is between me and the Lord!"  Well...it is between you and the Lord -- but it is also a command from the Lord.  I am asking you to be transparent with yourself today...to stop the excuses and be honest.

So, let me start with some transparency on my part.  Back in 1994, I

9 Problematic Fuels & 7 Bible Actions

Before you read today's post -- please answer the anonymous poll question in the right hand column about Bible reading.  Thanks so much!


I have come across people through the years that are very "picky" as to where they get fuel for their car. One gas station has horrible customer service and another station had "bad" fuel one time. However, they now know of a gas station that has great customer service and a good product. Well, before we collectively roll our eyes, we will have to admit that we all have areas in which we tend to be "picky." How "picky" are we about our thoughts? Our thoughts are like fuel for our actions. A person's thought life is so private and secluded that the average person gives little attention to what  fills their mind. So, hours and hours a day we can find ourselves...

5 Questions About Your Leadership

As we walked through the store one day, I discovered that my family was following me at every turn.  I decided to have a little fun.  I started taking the “long way” to our destination.  I even went in-between each of the small displays in the middle isle (in a circular pattern) to see if everyone would follow.  This is when it was discovered that Dad was having a little too much fun!

People follow your leadership whether you realize it or not.  If your family and friends only had you to lead them – where would they end up?