Glory to Glory

God has hidden powerful spiritual truths within nature. The concept of a tiny seed growing into a gigantic tree that produces thousands of seeds is amazing to consider. The potential within one seed is almost immeasurable because of its ability to reproduce itself. Jesus even talked about this principle in John 12:24. He said, "Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." Our call is to be like a seed. When we willingly lay down our lives to follow Him, we become stronger and more fruitful than we could ever imagine.


Seeds follow a process of germination where they sprout roots, stems, branches, leaves, and ultimately more seeds, often in the form of fruits or nuts. Though it may be a slow process, each day the tree grows stronger and more mature. It is the same for the believer. When we are rooted in Christ and maintain fellowship with the Holy Spirit, we will experience growth. In fact, we are better today than we were yesterday. This is the reality of going from glory to glory. Our lives are meant to improve every day! No matter where we are in the process, our identity and destiny remain unchanged. We were created to be strong, majestic, and mature. The world will find rest in our shade, protection and shelter from the elements, healing in our leaves, and nourishment from our fruit. Our seeds will produce more trees until the knowledge of the glory of the Lord covers the earth. May we be encouraged that today's journey is glorious and tomorrow's will be even greater!

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." II Corinthians 3:18

Three Years Old!!!

When my wife and I found out we were going to have a second baby almost 4 years ago, we were certain the baby was going to be a boy. I felt more comfortable with boys and I thought a brother would be good for Isaac. When our doctor told us we were having a girl, I was shocked. The thought of raising a little girl, watching her grow up into a young woman, protecting her from boys, and eventually giving her away to a husband seemed overwhelming. After Abigail Joy was born, everything changed. All my fears melted away as I held my amazing daughter in my arms. She has transformed my life. She is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen, with perhaps a little bias...

Happy 3rd Birthday, Abigail!

Abigail lights up my life with her smile, singing, dancing, laugh, and playfulness. If I'm lying down on the couch she will gently put a blanket on me and kiss my cheek. She is my Princess Abby, Miss Curiosity, my joy, my beautiful one. My daughter, you are destined to bring hope, healing, happiness, love, and reconciliation to a broken world.

Abby with her favorite monkey

"...our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace."Psalm 144:12

The Key to Worship

To those who don't know Jesus, singing praise songs is a foreign concept. In high school I recall sitting in church during worship completely unengaged because I didn't know God. Worship is basically adoring the Lord. I John 4:19 says that "we love because He first loved us". In order to love God we must first experience the love He has for us. When we do, our natural response will be to worship. Even though the Father loves all people, not everyone has received His love and are thus unable to reciprocate the sentiment. This is why the Church is to be an ambassador of love to the lost.

Interestingly, the same concept holds true for Christians. Many believers go through periods where they just don't feel like praising. The main reason for this loss of desire to engage in adoration is because people have somehow shut themselves off to receive the Father's love. In those moments it is our responsibility to turn our hearts and affections to the Lord in order to once again experience His overwhelming passion, pride, and agape for us. It is when we are filled with His love that we are moved to pour ours back to Him.

Here is perhaps one of the best praise songs of all time led by the angelic voice of Brooke Fraser. May we be moved to greater intimacy and worship!

"Hosanna" by Hillsong

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” John 12:12-13

Raising Families

I recently read a letter from prominent leaders in the Presbyterian (PCUSA) church describing how the "denomination has been in steady decline for 45 years, now literally half the size of a generation ago. Most congregations see far more funerals than infant baptisms because we are an aging denomination." The Presbyterians are not alone in this trend as many of the major Christian denominations are experiencing the same decline. As one who grew up in a Presbyterian church, even completing its ordination requirements, I am aware of what has been going on and interceding for a renewal. Although I honor and respect people from different denominations, it was never God's intention for his church to be so fractured.


There is a move of the Spirit in the world today that is building faith communities centered around family rather than doctrine. Denominationalism is about gathering people through shared beliefs. If anyone disagrees with a basic tenet than that individual is either rejected or breaks off to find/start a church that believes the same thing. This has happened so many times throughout history that there are thousands of different denominations in existence today. Churches gathered around mothers and fathers don't break apart if there are disagreements. They work through them because a son isn't disowned for believing something different than his parents. Obviously there are core beliefs of the Christian faith but many of the divisions within the church are often caused by relational issues- believers unable or unwilling to resolve differences. We pray that spiritual mothers and fathers will be raised up to guide, nurture, protect, and release sons and daughters to walk in their divine destiny. May the Spirit of unity blow through the Church to bring reconciliation, healing, and oneness so that the family of God may be restored and Jesus' own prayer be fulfilled!

"Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name- the name you gave me- so that they may be one as we are one." John 17:11

Destined for Greatness

The heart of a father is to see his children grow into greatness. Parents can hold their newborn son or daughter in the arms and envision the potential within their offspring. They may dream about the child taking his first step, riding a bike, graduating from college, or even becoming President. All of those possibilities are in seed form within the life of their baby. It is the parents' responsibility to love and nurture their children to allow greatness to be unfolded. There was a day Isaac couldn't even hold a bat in his hands- now he is swinging for the fences, or at least the bushes...

Isaac swung and missed many times before he learned how to hit. What if during this process I told him he was no good and unfit to play baseball? It would be considered bad and cruel parenting. I also would have placed a limitation in his mind of what he could and could not achieve. We have a Father who encourages us that we can do all things. Jesus even said we would do even greater things than him. God doesn't instill constraints for our potential but rather removes them so that we may dream about and ultimately experience greatness. It is our divine destiny. May we recognize the image of our Father in us and live to the fullest expression of His glory!

This post is dedicated to my son who turned 5 last Saturday. I love you and am so proud of you, Isaac! You will be a world-changer. Happy Birthday, son!

"For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him." Colossians 1:19

Being Led by the Spirit

Paul says in Romans 8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God". I am learning daily what it means to be my Father's son. I love it! It is often unfamiliar and out of my comfort zone but I am encouraged by the Comforter. Being led by the Spirit is what moved us to Redding and ultimately what brought us back to Pasadena. A few months ago Jenney and I felt like we were supposed to move back home. In one night we discussed the matter and decided to act upon it. In the coming days, although we told no one about our decision, people started contacting me to do ministry down in Southern California. I spoke at a youth retreat right before Christmas and a session retreat for a Presbyterian church in January. I have been asked to minister at an Egyptian church next week and I will be traveling to Korea at the end of the month to teach a class at a ministry school. These were not opportunities I sought out or pursued. They only came after we obeyed the Spirit's prompting to move.


Being in a Father/son relationship is wonderful, especially when you have the best dad in the whole world. It's not so much about the doing as it is in the being together. Shared experiences are the heart of life. Being led by the Spirit who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving is actually fun. He enables us to do and see things we could never have experienced on our own. This is going to be the best year of our lives yet!

"For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed." John 5:20

Back to Blogging

Happy 2011! We are finally settled in to our new home in Pasadena. The past two and half years living in Redding was the best season of my life and it's only getting better. Jenney and the kids are adjusting well being back in Southern California. It is wonderful to reconnect with friends and family. We are excited for this next chapter. I am changing the name of this blog from "New Beginnings" to "My Father's Son". This is a double meaning of honoring Jesus as God's son and walking out my identity as a son of God. Going to Bethel was truly a new beginning, almost a rebirth. Now that we have been sent out, the beginning is past and the story continues. The Father's heart is now the center of my life and ministry. I am passionately committed to love my Dad and bring people into the family. Looking forward to sharing how this unfolds!

City Hall in downtown Pasadena

Please pray for...
Revival in Pasadena and Southern California
Favor and wisdom for our next assignment
Divine connections, relationships, and community
Health, protection, and joy for our family
Intimacy with the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit