Difficult time this week for several in our church family, as a long vigil of intercessory prayer on behalf of someone we love ended in death….. despite so many seeming answers to prayer along the way…..despite so many intercessors believing together…..despite prophetic words…..despite apparent breakthroughs at different points over the five-month struggle.
Last Sunday I talked [...]

Twice this week I came face to face with the importance for pastors and churches to be relevant - obviously, not at the expense of the message (which never changes), but in our methods (which must be updated lest we become obsolete).
Both of my ‘encounters’ were in religious settings - and what’s truly sad is [...]

Wow. WOW! What a 17th anniversary party we had! Last night’s concert/CD release with Crystal Petrovic was just a terrific evening of great music, and then today…..what can I say? I preached myself hoarse in the first service, but ya’ll pulled it out of me again at 11:15 anyway.
The anointing that [...]

Well, I’m finally home - just 39 hours after my journey began in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, I walked into my own house again. As I reflected on the last 12 days, I realized what love-hate relationships are:
* I hate the whole process involved in boarding a plane - the extra security checks since 9/11, the [...]

In about an hour, I begin the trip to Jo’burg to catch my flight HOME, and I’m ready! I left Chicago 11 days ago hoping to have an impact on the pastors and leaders in the two conferences sponsored by Reconciliation! Ministries, but as I head back today I realized that I am the one [...]

Ever been to Disneyworld and heard the little song, “Imagination”? (I’m sure there must be other words in the lyrics as well, but all I ever remember is that one word over and over again.). That’s the tune stuck in my head this morning, except the word is ‘Anticipation’!
Now part of that is no doubt [...]

That’s not an insecure preacher fishin’ for a compliment. It’s just my honest musing after tonight’s service at the Reconciliation Ministries Conference in South Africa. See, in January I asked Bishop Joseph Garlington to be MY pastor (even pastors need to be pastored), and as he ministered tonight I was moved to tears of gratitude [...]

If you're a carpenter, do you look at your work at the end of the day with a smile at what you've made? If you're an office worker, do you have a feeling of satisfaction when you see the pile on your desk grow smaller and smaller?
Boy, I realized this morning after teaching about [...]

Last night was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had! At the opening service of the second Pastor’s conference we’re doing - this one in Pietermartitzburg (about an hour from Durban) Bishop Joseph Garlington preached about the gift of tongues and the Holy Spirit baptism. He gave the simplest explanation that I’ve ever [...]

On the closing service in Witbank, Bishop Joseph Garlington called my daughter Jen (who actually picked me up at Jo'burg and spent the first week here with me) to the front and proceeded to minister to her. In a matter of minutes, she received prophetic ministry from four other seasoned prophetic ministers from the [...]