Worry is anti-trust. If you're worried, you don't trust something: your kids, their friends, strangers, the church, even God. Can He take care of your children? Certainly. Jesus says, 'I tell you, stop being anxious and worried about your life.' Pretty blunt. Stop it! Easier said than done, huh? Worry tests your trust, so hand your children to God and let Him babysit your babies when you're not around. He's pretty good at it!

Truth can arrive within the story and ride latent - a bit incognito - within a story, and people are more prone to receive it.

God did everything necessary to get Herod's attention. He sent messengers from the East and a message from the Torah. He sent wonders from the sky and words from Scripture. He sent the testimony of the heavens and the teaching of the prophets. But Herod refused to listen. He chose his puny dynasty over Christ. He died a miserable old man.

I think there is a time, if I can say this; there is a time in a message where you might just tell a story to give your audience a break.

All my books come out of sermons, and I'm really a pastor who writes rather than a writer who pastors.

God saves, not God empathizes, cares, listens, helps, assists, or applauds.

I've never been surprised by God's judgment, but I'm still stunned by His grace.