Getting Ready For Life

“Ash Wednesday is the day that we enter into a kind of spiritual winter called Lent. For the next 40 days leading up to Easter we remind ourselves that new life is always preceded by death. We learn anew the value of letting go, giving up the old in order to make room for the new that God will soon bring in us. Just as the trees must release their grip on each leaf and allow it to fall to the ground and die, so must we release our anxious clinging to those things that only hold us back from entering into the spring of our soul. In a sense we must surrender to the winter in order to more gloriously grasp the spring.”

From Our Interconnect Ministries Director

I have been here at Lakeside for almost 20 years and on staff just about 14 years and I have to say that I am very excited about Revolution 2010 and to see how God will work through each of us this coming year!   Imagine this entire congregation on fire for God and together [...]

Revolution 2010: Centered on Jesus

This year of Revolution is one that we intend will find us developing whole new measures of radical faith and love that propels us into an orbit around Jesus; we’re on an intense trajectory toward Christ-centered living. The way we live is an out flow of our Christ-centered faith. The way we see [...]

Living Thanksgiving

“Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.” W.J. Cameron
Thanksgiving is not just a holiday. It’s a way of being. Not just something to do occasionally, but a way to live. By giving thanks continually, constantly, even in difficult times, our minds and hearts focus on the true reality. The true reality being that God [...]

Have You Lost Your Way?

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
For many Christians any means works as long as the end is reached. The truth of Jesus being the end, the big main point, has in many cases become a goal rather than [...]

A Place of Quiet Rest

“Come away with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)

I have been thinking a lot about rest lately. When I had to leave pastoral ministry last summer for health reasons I entered into a time of rest (I call it a “season” because that helps me think that it [...]

In The Midst

Think of any moment where you felt neglect, pain, suffering, rejection, shame, and/or guilt. Have you wondered where God was in the midst of these moments? Friends no matter your thoughts, feelings, or emotions, reflect on the cross. Jesus on the cross is a profound image difficult to ignore. The cross has the power to [...]

Inspire Me!

Inspire Me!
A few months ago a good friend pointed me to a website for pastors that provides perspective and encouragement.  As I read through the article, I found hope and inspiration for life.  That’s pretty important, because if we are going to inspire anyone, we have some measure of responsibility to get inspired ourselves.  I [...]

Six Things

Six things to look for when you read or study the Bible:
First, look for revelations of Jesus. Not just in the gospels or throughout the New Testament, but look for pre-incarnate revelations of Jesus in the Old Testament; see Jesus in others like Joseph; in Abram’s son on the altar.  Look for Jesus to reveal [...]

“We’ll always do what we value.”

What do you think about this axiom?
Certain things don’t get done because we just don’t value them; or at least we don’t value them above the things we value more.  If you value exercise at the same level you value making money, the exercise will get done, right?  If I am late, it is because [...]