Essays

Merging faith and politics

Four years ago in his televised interviews with then presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama, Pastor Rick Warren aptly stated: “We believe in the…

Deliverance or dominance?

What proverbial mountain is staring down at you right now? How intimidatingly tall is it? How much of your world has it cast in shadow?…

Burning incense revisited

Well, unfortunately another little woodland creature decided to die inside the wall of our church office and reek out the building. Last year Pastor Jerry’s…

Cursing the second voice

I think the Lord spoke to me earlier this week. It started with a whisper in my soul, and then grew in to a confidence…

Trapped in yesterday

You would never know it’s fall in Los Angeles. The leaves haven’t changed, the temperature is in the 100s, and I didn’t know my body…

Fasting by accident

I accidentally fasted on Tuesday, and I think God still counted it. Last Sunday at Grace our church family committed to a week of collective…

True Grit

If you were born in the post-John Wayne movie era, it’s quite likely that you’ve never seen the original Western film True Grit. And if…

Waiting to exhale

“Runners, take your mark…get set…” Now hold it right there. Did you notice the peculiar rituals that the Olympic sprinters went through at the beginning…

The power of positive (or negative) thinking

For just a moment forget whatever positive or negative stereotypes or opinions you may have about teachings (both Christian or non-Christian) on the subject of…