Apostolic Thoughts

In Matthew 16:13–19 Jesus affirms a truth at the core of our faith: He is the long-awaited Messiah, the Christ. And this Christ, this Anointed One, is the very Son of God—YHWH, or in the more ancient rendering, IEUE. Many have noted that the ancient pronunciation echoes the rhythm of breath: inhaling Jah or Ie , exhaling Veh  or Ue . The divine Name spoken in the rise and fall of every breath. The breath of life itself. The Creator breathed into the Adam of clay, and he bec

The Kingdom is not found in the external—neither “here” nor “there.” It is found within the child of God, within those who believe and trust in the life-giving authority of His Name.

Sunday, August 28, 1994 This morning’s worship service was powerful—there was such a prophetic flow among the congregation. One member read from Matthew 23:25–29 , the passage where Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for being clean on the outside while remaining corrupt within—whitewashed tombs, appearing beautiful outwardly but filled with death inside. Another person shared a vision: a dark, cave-like place where chipping began. At first, small droplets of water appeared, then a

Adopted in His Presence: My First Encounter with Heaven Growing up, we didn’t have picture books of Jesus or heaven. It just wasn’t part of our faith tradition, church, or family life. The closest things were flannel graph lessons or the occasional Sunday school workbook. I usually attended smaller, humbler congregations where Sunday school meant study time for children—not a place filled with illustrated stories or colorful imagery. At eight years old, I had no real picture

We experience time as though it moves in a straight line—past behind us, present beneath our feet, and future stretching before us like an unending road. To us, it is a timeline, a two-dimensional image we can point to and mark by moments. As believers, we may imagine that this line extends infinitely into eternity. But what if time is not merely a line? What if, in Christ, time itself is defined—not as motion, but as meaning ? He is the Alpha and the Omega , the Beginning an

“Eyes up—look up—not at your feet, not at the circumstances, but at Me.” I have hope for you, plans for you, and a future. Just as Israel had a day of release, a moment when their captivity would end, so too will you. The prophet Jeremiah spoke of that day, and I speak to you now: your day of release is coming. The things that have held your heart captive will no longer consume you. What you see and hear—these can become bars and chains if you let them. So, my children, set y

As I embrace the Mystery of Christ—His Gospel, His resurrection—my mind cannot fully comprehend the magnitude of the eternal weight, glory, and repercussions of what has been provided in Him. The human intellect simply cannot contain the breadth of the divine. At times, I imagine myself stretching out my arms to embrace my Lord, His Kingdom, His concepts and precepts, His very nature. The song “I Can Only Imagine”  gives voice to some of the questions that stir within me. Yet

Let me begin with this: I love the body of Christ. It is truly part of Him—alive, sacred, and deeply loved by our Lord. I love Jesus, and my heart is devoted to serving Him and helping His body make the intended impact in our world, which He so loves. I believe the body of Christ can gather in many places and in many ways, for any number of reasons—so long as Jesus remains at the center. Honoring Him, looking to Him, and experiencing His presence among us must always be the f

In the Beginning: Reflections on Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God…” In Hebrew, the prepositions here are somewhat uncertain— in the beginning , from the beginning , at the beginning —all are possible readings. The text opens not simply with time but with beginning : In the beginning, Elohim—the Strong One, the Mighty One—created. The name Elohim carries a plural form. It doesn’t necessarily indicate the Trinity, but rather expresses the fullness, the plurality of divine st

I’m pulling My people Deeper into My heart My heart, into My heart Deep It’s a love thing Coursing in My blood, My life My life, Eternity is My life, My blood Not mere forgiveness But a lifestyle of Purposeful living A For…liveness An Eternal giving of life Universe, come into Me I’m the gate A star gate to dimensions Yet to be Discovered Time’s not really passing But filling, filling up Purposes springing Purposes singing Singing praises Declaring joy and hope and love Oh lo

My worship is this Without music or score Without poem or speech I bow at Your feet When my knees cannot bend I can’t get to the floor My worship is this Only You I adore I carry my worship In my innermost part No orchestra needed It flows from the heart Though music is nice Too much can distract And the words can help But they don’t aways impact My heart bows before you My mind will find peace For You are my master My Lord, Prince of peace The great reconciler Of our sin and

From friendship to faith, from commitment to love, Ted and Paula’s story is a living reminder that God’s timing is never late — and that the best love stories are the ones written by His hand.

“A priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” Melchizedek first appears in Genesis 14 , woven into the story of Abram . After a coalition of five kings raided the region and captured Abram’s nephew Lot—along with his household and possessions—Abram gathered his servants and herdsmen and pursued them. Victorious, Abram recovered all that was taken. On his return, he met Melchizedek , the king of Salem  and priest of God Most High (El Elyon) . Melchizedek brought out brea

It's a day not like others Cold hearts jealous Hard words Icy eyes No backing up No knife no sword But the stabbing never stops Blood without bleeding Though the flower hasn't faded The field parched and dry Wrinkles crease Wells run dry Water gone Love gone Fear as thick as night I saw someone die today

Come a little closer Come step into the light I won’t ask you any questions I’ll just sit here by your side You don’t need to even know Me Just need to trust your heart I have always known you I have known you from the start In the womb where I have formed you I have called you by your name Though you know little about me You just need to speak My Name You may know Me as Issa Or the Ever Present One Y’Shua HaMeshiach Is just one of my names The wounded risen One Some even cal

Floating Gently floating down Floating down Down to the ground The leaves are falling Falling down Falling gently to the ground As days change The air’s a chill Too cool to enjoy The morning thrill Of coffee, of chat Of patio flowers Of outdoor prayer The leaves are falling The petals did fade The roses, petunias begonias are gone The tiny garden of beauty we made Floating Gently blowing away Blowing, blowing, blowing Autumn’s on the move Cooling down Getting colder Winter’s

Lean into Jesus. I know it sounds simple, too simple; the things of heaven are simple. The love of God is straight forward. Our God, the...

Lights twinkle thru the haze A golden disk rises Among silhouettes of leaves and branches A damps smells wafts Of earth and sage It must be raining somewhere A lonely bark dances cross Stillness Aloneness settles like mist Daylight will come Softly The chilled glow of an awakened morning Greets my beating breath Soon The warmth and glow will prevail Invading overcoming Morning and me

1 John 4:7&8 John 3:16 While Martin Luther's treatise's we're not exactly about saved by grace and grace alone (the work of the cross of...

I can smell something It’s a nice smell Coming in off the desert In the waning light The air is heavy It’s not cool Feels good I know...