
Pastor Mike Novotny
Pastor Mike Novotny has served God’s people in full-time ministry since 2007 in Madison and, most recently, at The CORE in Appleton, Wisconsin. He also serves as the lead speaker for Time of Grace, where he shares the good news about Jesus through television, print, and online platforms.

The amazing Merlin
Recently, I met an amazing man named Merlin. Merlin is an 81-year-old woodworker who can outhustle a team of 20-something construction workers. During our…

Don’t skip God
The other day I pulled out my absurdly thick, 4-inch graduate school binder that contains my theology notes from my second-year doctrine class. About…

You are gifted
Do you know the gift(s) you’ve received from God? In four key chapters of the Bible (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and…

Ordinary Christianity
I wonder if the devil loves extraordinary Christianity. By “extraordinary,” I mean those stories you read in Christian books about people who prayed for…

Your name in the book of life
I have a vivid memory from the late 80s of two people sitting at our kitchen table—my mom and Bob. I can hear those…

Arguing with God
Do you ever argue with God about how big and complicated his calling is and how small and unprepared you are? Maybe you’ve read…

God cares (even now)
In a book by Tim Keller, I read the tale of a witch who turned unsuspecting travelers into stone. She had a cottage with…

The gift of a good group
When I was growing up in the church, I had no idea that I needed a group. Thanks to my mother, I would show…

God and your great-great-great-great grandpa
As you look around, how many things do you see that were around when your great-great-great-great grandpa was walking the earth? My great-great-great-great grandpa…

What to do when life is a mess
Have you ever found yourself in a total mess? When your past choices have left you with present consequences that probably won’t change for…

Talk to yourself (about God!)
Do you ever talk to yourself? You should, especially if you’re a person with a big heart. I’ve met some wonderfully bighearted, compassionate, empathetic,…

Drunk with the devil
Have you ever gotten drunk with the devil? I’m not talking about drinking beers with the prince of darkness. I’m thinking about thoughts served…