I remember the first time I heard Wayne Watson’s song by that title. I sometimes find myself humming or singing it… “When God’s people pray, there is hope restored, there is sin forgiven…”

It’s not that prayer changes things; it changes me. Prayer is not the method we’ve been given for twisting the arm of God. It is not given to convince God to see things from our viewpoint. Prayer is a privilege given to learn and embrace the mind of God. Continue reading →

Once again, we are faced with the reality of death, hatred, and senseless acts of violence. What has happened in Las Vegas is heartbreaking. No words can describe it. No explanation can ease our minds. The total depravity of man has led to death, destruction, fear, anger, pain, and suffering. Continue reading →

Every year since the early 2000s, we’ve watched God work during our four days of ReFRESH®. After Ron Dunn died, we began to think about pray about what we would do now that we no longer had our annual Bible Conference with him.

In looking at the decline of morals, values, decency, and ethics in our culture, it became quite obvious that we needed revival. I don’t think revival will come from the White House or Congress. I don’t think it can be legislated or even orchestrated. We can, however, pray and seek God as His people. Continue reading →

It seems every denomination in America has gone through a controversy the last few years. One of Satan’s great tools is to cause confusion, disunity, and division. We seem to be ignorant of his devices. Apparently, what we’ve learned from church history is that we’ve learned nothing from church history.

The following summary of recent denominational conventions is adapted from a WORLD Magazine article (July 14, 2007) by Edward E. Plowman. As you can see, American Christianity is in trouble of forsaking the gospel and imploding. Once we do, we’ll no longer have a missions impact. We’ll be one of the largest mission fields in the world (in reality, we are already). While this article is a few years old, the realities of it are as current and serious as tomorrow’s headline. Continue reading →

A few years ago while in Israel, I climbed Masada on the snake path. To go from the lowest point of the earth, the Dead Sea, to the top of a mountain fortress is, to say the least, a challenge. My guide told me of a pastor who runs that snake path. He can get to the top in less than thirty minutes. For a good hike, at a good pace, it takes about an hour. You have to adjust to changing altitudes and the path is very narrow and there are no rails. If you start to fall, you’re going to roll a long way down the side before you hit the bottom.

It is a fascinating hike. The scenery will take your breath away as your mind races with thoughts about how a massive fortress was built on top of Masada so many years ago. When we got to the top and I joined our group, Terri thought I was about to have a heart attack. My face was blood-red and I was sweating like crazy…but it was worth it to be able to say, in my 60s, that I had climbed Masada. Continue reading →