Have you noticed that sometimes the best encouragement or advice comes at the end of a letter or sermon. I feel like that is the case with Paul’s letter to the people in Corinth. He addresses all sorts of concerns, reminds them of the preeminence of...
I was having lunch with my son. He observed me taking my hearing aids out, setting my glasses on the table, and then he saw the retainer with a false tooth. “Dad, you are falling apart!”, he said. Its true. The worst part is that I used to be an...
I think we have all heard the term “first and foremost”. We invoke it to recalibrate priorities. With all that happens in life and the world, every once in awhile its good to remind myself what is “first and foremost”. For me it is how my life fits...
I am in court fairly often. More than I would like. There is decorum, order, and protocol. The same is true in the church. I look forward to attending and participating in the gatherings at my church. Its been my “home” for over 40 years. Every...
The apostle Paul emphasized love above all. When I look at diamonds, I think it is the many facets that what makes them shine. In the same way, when I look at love, its not just ‘one thing’ that shines. It’s the many expressions of the very nature...
I remember reading a book by the title “The Body Dynamic”. In it, pastor John MacArthur emphasized how God has made the members of the Church each unique in our interaction with each other. Each (just like body parts) are essential and to be valued...
I see a lot of these little plastic Jesus figurines in various places these days. They are kind of cute reminders. I don’t think they are idols, just reminders that we have a God who loves us, a Savior who purchased us, and the abiding presence of...
My wife is a “trad wife” in some ways. She and I have developed some traditions within our family. We like to take everyone out for dinner on anyone’s birthday. Sushi seems to be a favorite recently. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter have their...
A long time ago, I had a conversation with the youth pastor with whom I volunteered in ministry. For whatever reason, he was thinking out loud and asking “if I weren’t paid a salary by my church, would I still preach and minister like I do now?” We...
I like to eat a good sizzling ribeye steak cooked medium. Oh!!! Better yet, if I bought it from Vons on the day the meat manager discounted it by 70%- I feel like a king with a shopping victory to bring home to my wife. Food doesn’t necessarily...
Sometimes as a preacher/pastor I might begin a sermon with a strange “on ramp”. I might say something provocative that captures everyone’s attention. I think that’s pretty common amongst public speakers in general or even influencers. The apostle...
I love helping people. That’s probably why I have been a pastor for many, many years. Later I went to school to be an attorney so I could help people in other ways. Participating with God in both of these vocations is very rewarding. But, I do have...
I remember when my buddy David got his license to drive. He is six months older than me. My dad let us drive an MG sports car home from orange county. The feeling of freedom was amazing as we cruised on Beach Blvd. and then the freeway (hoping some...
My body can’t do the things it once did. Anyone else feel that way? When I was young, I could run without stopping… I seemed to never get tired. That’s not true today! I realize that this body is subjected to futility, its fragile, it wears out, its...
Have you ever heard someone receiving praise from others, say “I give God all the glory”? Athletes do it in interviews. And they mean it. We all should say it because for a Christian, it is God who gives us the abilities, energy, and wisdom to...
My wife is a bit more of a rule follower than I am. I’m not saying I ignore instructions or drive my car like mad max. There is safety in rule-keeping. But there is freedom and a greater glory in living a Spirit led life. Its more dynamic to be...
“Husen, You Stink!” Those are the words my brother Jimbo and I would hear from our beloved coach Gallardo if we dropped a pass during football practice. Both Jim (Dr. James Husen Jr. to his colleagues) were wide receivers. He was number 81 and I was...
I heard about an older adult who was swindled out of a large sum of money. Sadly, a thief had taken advantage of her because she was of a generation that was far more trusting. None of us wants to be taken advantage of. As Christians, the enemy of...
When I was in Junior High our basketball team won 16 of our 17 games. The only game we lost was to a Catholic school which pretty much had full grown men (Lol). Every half time speech by coach Robles ended the same way. After he corrected our...
I find myself wondering “How do people who don’t have an abiding faith in God make it through life?” If you live long enough and you will experience heartache, disappointment and even the loss of loved ones. What do you do? Where or to whom do you...
I love to hear stories of bravery and heroism or people who endured for a cause. I had a teacher who called that “stick to it iveness”. I try not be a person who easily gives up,… and I want my grandkids to be the same. In the seventeenth century...
When I was a kid we used to catch honey bees in our hands (we called them H bees). I can’t remember them ever stinging me. I know they could and some of my friends did get stung. In the same way, those who put their faith in Christ will not feel the...
My mom was that fun-loving Catholic girl who attended parochial school, had stories about the nuns,… classic. She was likely baptized as an infant as I was. But, for most of her adult life didn’t really attend Mass. Later in life, her faith...
A song topped the charts in the 70s. It was written by Warren Zevon and sung by Linda Ronstadt. A real catchy tune with the lament “poor, poor, pitiful me” because a girl longed for a satisfying relationship, but just couldn’t find it. I feel sad...
I have a confession to make. Don’t think less of me! I don’t really know any Taylor Swift songs. Sorry. I am many years now from being a teenager when songs on the radio were everything. But… one song of hers I played today called Love Story. It...
Growing up I was aware that there is an IQ Test (Intelligence Quotient). I don’t think I ever took that test. Probably good because I don’t think my score would be worth sharing. Interestingly, my wife’s dad was a Mensa genius with a Wechsler...
My friend Luke once taught math as a junior high school teacher. He suffered an allergic reaction which was so severe he was in a coma and when he awoke, he had forgotten everything (his wife, how to eat, and yes… how to do ‘long division’ math...
I have sixty three years of experience (yes, I am old… well at least older). I have some skills (not saying I can hack a canoe out of a tree). And I have some gifts (the Bible calls this charisma). A spiritual gift is bestowed by God to amplify a...
In the 70s when I was in junior high, the cool guys wore long hair down to our shoulders, sometimes parted in the middle and feathered. Thank goodness those days are gone and my wife persuaded me to part on the side! My kids have always preferred to...
Many years ago I read the book The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis (15th century). It is a foundational Christian devotional, stressing inner spiritual life over external ritual, emphasizing humility, detachment from worldly distractions, and...
I enjoy a fair amount of freedom in my life. Sure, I have responsibilities,… what adult doesn’t? But, I can go where I want, say what I want, and eat and drink just about anything. There is a self-imposed limit to my freedom which is refraining from...
Every single person in the world at some point will struggle with sinful temptations… its “common to man”. At this point in my life most worldly temptations have little sway upon me. I have put idols further and further from my heart. But, early in...
I was a basketball and football player growing up, not a track star (however I did set the Norco HS Junior Varsity record in high jump). I was fast when I was young, but didn’t enjoy running after that. Even today, I don’t run very much. There is a...
I was pretty good at business early in life. I was also a saver and generous. My mom didn’t really understand why I would leave a career that started with IBM and continued in my own IT company for a job in the church as a pastor. Later in life she...
I see a fair amount of people in the world shouting about “My Rights!” There are quite a few Believers clinging to their rights too. That’s ok. But, we should remember that we Christians are part of the body of Christ and “My Rights” isn’t always...
I have never considered it a “duty” to offer my body to my lovely wife. I am always willing. One of the most important forms of communication between spouses is physical intimacy. In his book The 5 Love Languages, Gary Chapman says that physical...
I love learning something new every day. So does my grandson. Yepper yepper- he says (as he sits next to me today). Thinking of oneself as the “smartest person in the room” lead to conceit and arrogance which compete with love. Sharing knowledge is...
DISCLAIMER: This post is about alcohol. I know the devastating effects alcohol has had on families. I am not advocating alcohol consumption. For nearly 30 years I chose not to drink beer, wine, or any alcohol. I champion that choice. Firestone...
There are five words that form what is perhaps the most promising and hopeful sentence ever. The words are found in a letter from the apostle Paul to the new believers in the cosmopolitan port city of Corinth. These people had responded to the...
Ubi jus ibi remedium. Not a familiar latin phrase unless you are a law student taking “Remedies” class. It means for every wrong done there is a remedy in law. Sure, wrongs should have a remedy, but should Christians take other Christians to court...
Jesus admonished His followers to be “in the world, but not of the world”. An insightful recognition of the reality that as believers we are living with people who do not yet share an allegiance to God. Sometimes there is a temptation to expect too...
Planes that land safely don’t make the news! I heard that recently. And it makes sense. You will likely never hear about the countless blessings, expressions of love, faithful service, Bible studies held, people edified, hearts healed that happen...
I will always be grateful for a handful of people who are instrumental in m spiritual growth as a Christian. Of course, I am eternally grateful to my “brother” and faithful friend Todd Collins, who led me to Christ and discipled me in the early days...
I have received constructive criticism many times over in various roles and situations. And for that I am grateful. I have also been unfairly criticized at times. How about you? What should my response be to unwarranted criticism? I think a good way...
I am in the midst of updating a booklet I wrote for families grieving the loss of a loved one. In the latest version of the booklet (I Stand By the Door), I added a chapter entitled “When We Harm Ourselves”. What does God have for us when we are at...
In the movie Knight and Day, Tom Cruise’s character (a highly skilled spy) tells Cameron Diaz’s character that she will likely die without him. Lifting his hand high into the air says “with me” (up here), then lowers it, “without me”. In the same...
How can we understand God’s working in the world today? We must be guided and instructed by the Spirit of God who illuminates the Bible. How profoundly stunning it must have been for the Apostle Paul to recognize and articulate God’s unfolding plan...
Inclusiveness. Its a buzzword these days. And it can be code for many things. Has there ever been anyone more inclusive than God? In His glorious plan delivered through the descendants of Abraham- He made it possible for anyone to be forgiven and be...
Its a real thing and they make money doing it! Yep, there are people who post on social media with “followers” that make large amounts of money swaying others to their point of view. The influencers have entire teams of promoters that gather an...
I heard that today the “food stamps” (old term), Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) funding is in jeopardy and people may not be able to use their card to buy groceries! Congress’ inability to fund a continuing resolution has...