Jesus was, is and always will be a confrontational envelope-pusher.  He had a track-record of stretching the limits of human understanding.  There is no evidence in Scripture that our Savior came to enable our desire to remain in the safety and comfort of the familiar.  Jesus came to rock our physical, emotional and spiritual 'boat'.  His work in the lives of the willing often involves disrupting ...  Read More

As a parent of seven children and having been raised in a household with an educator, I completely understand the importance of face-to-face interaction between teachers and students.  The connection between teacher and student is the glue that often shapes the framework for healthy growth and development of children and adolescents.All of us have stories about those special teachers that helped u...  Read More

There is no dispute among healthcare workers on the front lines, public health workers in the trenches and infectious disease experts in the lab, that America's “broken“ response to the novel coronavirus created a 'perfect storm' of calamity.Granted, humans are inherently social creatures and the physical, emotional and economic impact of over three months of “lock down“ will not be fully manifest...  Read More

AS COVID-19 CASES RE-SURGE & LEADERSHIP FAILS, TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS HOLD THE KEY     - But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am too young.'  You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I give to you to say to them.  Do not be afraid, because I am always with you and will keep you safe," declares the Lord.  "I have put My Words in your mouth.  Today I appoint you over nations and ki...  Read More

     'I know your deeds.  See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.        I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my Word and have not denied       my name.'  (Revelation 3:8, NIV)The purpose of this blog, to be clear, is to encourage churches within jurisdictions where churches still have choice, to shut down all on-campus activities until it is determined ...  Read More

     - Matthew 16:18 (NIV)There is evidence from the Book of Acts that the early church began to gather together in the houses of Believers.  As the gatherings grew, we find that in cities like Rome, larger spaces were either acquired or erected to accommodate growing congregations.  Though the gatherings increased in size and the fixed locations allowed individuals to congregate, it was the WORK ...  Read More

     - Psalm 40:2 Perhaps you have seen the movies where explorers, adventurers or treasure hunters, while wandering through the wilderness, will encounter a mix of water, salt and mud, called quicksand.Quicksand is dangerous, because on the surface it looks solid, and by the time you realize that it is not, you are already stuck and sinking. The molecular characteristics of quicksand are such tha...  Read More

‘Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have wisdom, I have power’ (Psalm 8:14)Over the last week, heeding the recommendations of local public health officials, the CDC and WHO, many churches (EmPGH included) canceled on-campus and in-building activities. Many extended these cancellations to include Sunday worship encounters… many however did not.  As the situation “on the ground“ continues to ...  Read More

  - Pslam 118:17 (NIV)God's intent is not for you to simply 'make it'.  God desires for you to be victorious.  His will for your victory is so strong that He will prepare, position and equip you with all that you need so that you can endure the often difficult journey from your painful 'now' to your promised 'next' in order to receive the full manifestation of that victory.  God will align people ...  Read More

     - Psalm 46:10 (NIV)It’s amazing how the brain works during times of fight–or–flight stress.  Often survivors will report that “it was like things were moving in slow motion“.  In cognitive interviews following trauma, this phenomenon allows for a recounting of even the smallest of details and differences despite the intensity of the trauma.During this times of uncertainty, God encouraging eac...  Read More

— Ephesians 3:20This world has gotten so upside down, convoluted and dysfunctional, that playing “small“ and settling for victim status have become the rule and not the exception. You however have a “trump“ card, which is that God has made you a masterpiece. He even says so in His Word, and reaffirms it throughout Scripture. You are special, and endowed with certain Kingdom benefits and Kingdom 's...  Read More

— Hebrews 12:1-2Athletes from every sport and at every level of competition will tell you that there are times when the competition does not go as planned.Sometimes we are outmanned, outmaneuvered, and simply outcoached. In sports, there are sometimes critical moments that cause a series of events to unfold that force us to play from behind.But any seasoned athlete or coach will tell you that the ...  Read More