I visited with Marlin yesterday at the county jail where I am a volunteer chaplain. He has lived a dangerous life with drugs, stealing, violence, and serving seven sentences in prison. He is presently serving a short sentence in my jail for a minor parole violation. For the past two years, he has immersed himself […]
I can read all about Jesus, study His nature and historical background, but I will never get to know Him until I do the simple, basic act of obeying Him completely in all things. When we surrender, we are flooded with new light, new hope, great joy, glorious peace and abounding faith. And where do […]
I must be about my Father’s business. Luke 2:49 I have a busy week ahead of me, dozens of things I need to accomplish before Friday rolls around. That’s my business—overflowing agendas, full days, ten pounds to put in an eight pound bag—much to do about little that pertains to the kingdom of heaven. But […]
On May 24th of this year, I stopped at the Bite of Life coffee shop on the way back from St. Patrick’s National Cathedral in Dublin. I asked the Lord what He had to say to me there. “As you take the latte into your body, so I desire for you to take My Spirit […]
J. left jail last week and declared that he wanted me to be his mentor and accountability coach as he transitioned from a life of drugs to a life with Christ. “I’m going to need your help, Pat, so I don’t get back into the drug life I had and so I become the man […]
In my hotel room in the Meyrick Hotel in Galway, Ireland, on April 13, 2019. “I have separated you unto Myself … to do My work.” Of course! I can’t separate myself. Jesus chose the 12 apostles. They did not choose Him. They did not volunteer to follow Him. John 15:16: “You did not choose […]
I got back home this past Saturday from the better part of two weeks in Ireland. One of the features of this trip was visiting churches in the cities I stayed at. Before I tell you of this particular highlight of my trip, I must tell you that I am very, very Irish and have […]
Definition: A Plus One is a person who accompanies someone to a party or other event when the invitation allows the invited guest to bring another person. My wife and I were at a family wedding near San Francisco this past weekend, and I got to meet and talk to a number of people I […]
When he was 19 years old, he went to a large party in an affluent neighborhood. Alcohol and drugs abounded. He became high as a kite as did many others there. That night one act on his part changed his life for the next 15 years – prosecution, prison, probation, break probation, back behind bars, […]
There are two days each century in which all the numbers are the same. 1.1.11 is one of them and 2.22.22 the other. Such a day will not occur again in your lifetime. Is there anything mystical about these numbers lining up? Or magical? Or some special meaning? No, no, and no. But it would […]