As I approach my 20th year of ordained ministry, I can say that my biggest mistake has been trying to will transformation in people's lives. At one point, I was so consumed by my own efforts and creative ideas to revitalize a church that I completely omitted God from the process. I was going to do it by the sheer force of my determination and work ethic.

Right. Try that. See how it works for you. I was trying to lead people towards abundant living, but I didn't know it myself. Guess what? I didn't lead them very far or very well.

Psalm 30 became a constant refrain for me as I found my heart crying "out of the depths." I had to address certain habits and ways of thinking in my own life before I was going to lead effectively towards vitality in Christ. 

From that posture of searching, the contents of my new book, Vital Signs, began to emerge. The lessons became the foundation for a sermon series that I preached in Ft. Myers, Florida. With revision and further growth, I preached it again at First Presbyterian, Orlando. In both churches, God has been so faithful to do what I could never do on my own: revitalize and heal people and communities.

Too often, I think we depend on a new program, a new study, or a new mountaintop experience to get us going. The reality is that we need to invest more in the daily walk of discipleship instead of constantly searching for the next spiritual fix. Yes, those things can help, but an abundant Christian life is one carved over years of faithfully engaging in the basics--the solid food of God's Word, the power of worship, the blessing of community, the joy of giving, the sense of purpose derived from mission. These are the essential elements through which God pours out His life in us.

My desire is to use this space to personally share with you what I have learned--including what I have learned from my mistakes--so that you will find a deep hunger to know more of these things and more of the presence of God in your life. It is not something I have mastered by any means, but it is a journey I humbly share with you.