Author Archives: southwestrev

There is something eerie, beautiful, and convicting about sitting in an empty sanctuary in darkness. No candles are lit, no sunlight or streetlight is pouring in through the windows. Not even second-hand light from the happy voices down in the fellowship hall rejoicing after having watched a movie. None of that. It’s just me sittingContinue reading “Doubting Thomas”

WWJD. Remember these bracelets? The ones with bright colors that would easily draw our attention when we were on the brink of making a decision. What should I do? Well, what would Jesus do? It was intended to serve as a moral compass, keeping us on the straight and narrow path. In these days ofContinue reading “What Would Jesus Do?”

Music plays. “All glory, laud, and honor to you Redeemer King!” The people are joyfully joining in the chorus as they wave their palm branches in the air. A little girl is using hers to tickle the ear of the person in front of her. He turns around with drunken resentment only to crack aContinue reading ““Palm” Sunday”

I wish they had dad jokes in biblical times. Certainly, we see some pretty comedic things in the Scriptures and we see that God definitely has a sense of humor, but we don’t explicitly hear any jokes, which is a major bummer. If I had been asked to participate in the composition of God’s Word,Continue reading “I’m Starving!”

My dad’s favorite movie of all-time is Jaws. The movie that created fear of sharks and swimming in the ocean in the hearts of thousands of people. Triggered by the infamous “Jaws music” this 1975 movie was a true horror classic. Today, we just laugh at the mechanical shark, even as he consumes our belovedContinue reading “Scars”

My brain has a habit of not knowing when to shut off. Even when the day is over and I have eaten the dinner that my wife put in the fridge for me, I have enjoyed my favorite whiskey while I finish watching the late night hockey game and it’s time to crawl into bed,Continue reading “What To Know When You Don’t Know”

In January of 1956, five missionaries went deep into the jungles of Ecuador with the goal of making contact with the Auca tribal group. This was a group, who’s name “Auca” literally translates to mean “savage”, that lived up to their name. It was a dangerous mission. But Jim Elliot, Roger Youderian, Peter Fleming, EdContinue reading “If God Is So Great”

Serving in the inner-city, we have our fair share of ups and downs. Encouragements and discouragements. Wins and losses. For every Jesse there is a Jacob. For every Lisa there is an Elizabeth. For every Tony there is a Mike. It seems like every time we have a massive victory we get hammered with someContinue reading “Significant Church”

On a day that is observed as a day of repentance, a day of humility, and a day of remembrance, we often treat it as a “start” to our goals. Ash Wednesday signifies the beginning of our Lenten journey as we strive to complete the challenge of going 46 days without *insert what you gaveContinue reading “Ash Wednesday”

Desmond Doss is one of my heroes. He joined the United States Army in April 1942 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He couldn’t stand by while his loved ones went off to war. He was compelled to do something. But he didn’t want to fight, shoot, or kill. In fact, convicted by his religiousContinue reading “Lord, Help Me Get One More”