I’m thankful for Memorial Day. First, I’m thankful for the unspeakably precious sacrifices men and women have made for our freedom. Second, I’m thankful that we have set aside a day to honor and commemorate these sacrifices. We so easily forget what is truly important in life—especially that which others have given us.

The history of the nation of Israel through the time of judges reveals that it’s not just Americans who have a foggy memory. Time and again, Israel forgot her God. Israel’s history is rich with miracles of God’s deliverance—and it’s replete with the miseries of her national spiritual forgetfulness. Judges 8:34 records, “And the children of Israel remembered not the Lord their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side.”

Israel’s history should serve as a memorial to us of what happens when nations forget God—their forgetfulness stages their national downfall. (more…)

The Lord provided an opportunity for special time with my sons Tuesday evening. I had a meeting in Phoenix, and a friend helped Larry, Matt, and I get seats at a Lakers v. Suns game. At the game, we passed out several tracts, and we were asked to do two interviews on NBC.

The Lakers lost the game, but spending the evening with Larry and Matt was a true joy. As John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4). (more…)

We are creatures of habit, and when our schedules change in the summer we can get off track. We take much needed vacations, but if we are not careful, we begin to think our lives would be better if we moved to our favorite vacation spots. Enter your summer with intentional goals and practices in mind to spiritually flourish. Here are twelve thoughts I shared with our church family about summer growth. (more…)

God works through partnerships in ministry. The local church is a body, and God intends for it to function in unity. Those who serve in the local church must walk together in the Spirit to accomplish the work of God—serving the Lord, reaching the community, and training the next generation.

Ministry relationships are vital to the success of a local church. If there are no relationships, there can be no growth. This is perhaps why Satan focuses on dividing and destroying relationships in a church and among staff members. Even through the transitions created by church growth, Satan slyly attempts division and discord. (more…)

It’s hard to believe that with Wednesday morning’s commencement exercises, West Coast Baptist College will complete its fifteenth year of training laborers for the harvest. What a joy it is to have a part in the ministry of alumni serving around the world. And, although graduation is always bitter-sweet, we are thankful for the students who will receive their diplomas on Wednesday and join the ranks of WCBC alumni in ministry.

Graduation week includes many events that are a blessing to students, family, and friends. This year, we will be able to livestream all of these main events at wcbc.edu. (All times listed are Pacific Time.) (more…)