I think my skin is thin. For sure as I get older I find I can bleed with just a nick or little bruise. I hope my emotional skin is thickening up. By nature, (perhaps pride and insecurity) I don’t like to be corrected, disciplined, rebuked, or...
I grew up in what I believe would be considered (in the 1960s-70s) the socio-economic “middle class”. My parents weren’t rich, but we certainly were not poor or receiving governmental welfare assistance. My attitudes toward the...
When I was younger I heard someone say “show me your friends and I will show you your future”. Really?! Of course, they were right in many regards. Our peers have a profound influence upon us. Solomon addressed that idea and promised...
The second most important decision I made in life was asking Maureen to be my wife. That important decision was second, only to choosing to follow Jesus’ teachings and dedicating my life to that pursuit. Deciding to marry her and set the...
One of the first lessons my sweetheart granddaughter learned at home and at preschool was ‘to share’. She once came home and said ‘Papa, papa, papa, Miss Gina says “I should share my toys with baby Carter”.’ She...
As my children have become adults, I have watched them living with wisdom as they shape their lives and make decisions. And, as Solomon observed, it makes this father glad. My beloved pastor Barry McMurtrie once observed, “you will only be as...
As I grow older, I pray I am getting wiser. I can certainly confess that I have ‘checked in’ many times to Hotel Naïve. In ignorance, I have tried to live life, make critical decisions with far-reaching consequences, and failed to seek...
When I finally read through the gospel accounts (at the ripe old age of 18 years old) of Jesus life and ministry on earth, I was blown away by his intellect and wisdom coupled with compassion and courage. Solomon, some 950+ years earlier personified...
My boys are now young men. They have enjoyed many blessings from God. Of course, no one escapes all heartbreak in life. But, they have avoided one major pitfall- that of the “seductress”. I think we all are especially susceptible to...
I have never really had a problem with motivation as it relates to work. I enjoy work and see its connection to reward. I know we are all ‘wired up’ a little different. We have different levels of energy. If anything, I tend to feel...
There were times in my life that I bought into ‘worldly wisdom’ and the vain philosophies of men. I suffered for it when they turned out to be contrary to God’s will and His ways. If nothing else, I wasted my energy on temporal...
There are forks in the road of life. The most profound is deciding on the question of goodness and evil. You would think that most people have decided that question in favor of ‘goodness’ (of course, because its wise). But, in my...
I have made many mistakes over the years, experienced a fair amount of failure and disappointment too. Certainly, that has been balanced with some good decisions, success and joy. I feel that God has been so gracious by imparting to me wisdom along...
Living in this world can be scary and even dangerous. Don’t believe me? Just watch an hour of the news. I have experienced Divine intervention, protection, and insight many times. God’s favor and grace to me is undeserved. Solomon...
Today, I am embarking on a 31 day journey through the book of Proverbs. I am excited to discover afresh the timeless wisdom of Solomon. I acknowledge, that often he didn’t follow his own good advice, but nevertheless, the ideas and precepts...
This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. 1 John 2:25-26 NASB So why would the beloved apostle John remind us of God’s promise of eternal life...
I’ve seen miracles. When God says yes to prayers and interrupts the world and suspends the laws of nature temporarily, it certainly bolsters my faith. Can you imagine trying to reconcile in your mind, how Jesus who came back from the dead in a...
In my lifetime I have read portions of the Bible many times. And yes, I have read the entire Bible as well. Fewer endeavors have been as rewarding. With all the media we consume (videos, binge watching TV series, magazines, instagram posts, etc.)...
Have you ever said, Thank God it’s Friday! I have. These days, Thursday is my Friday, because that’s the day that marks the start to the weekend for me. Want to know what’s better than Friday? Sunday!!! Why? Its church day and the...
There are desperate moments in life when it seems all hope is lost. The circumstances are overwhelming and there seems to be no way or reason to go forward. It happens to good men and bad men alike. I have been fortunate to have only seldom felt...
Everyone sins. But some people sin in a way that transgresses more than social norms, they transgress the criminal law by stealing, murdering, and the like. Is there a single psychological characteristic that could be identified with every criminal...
5th Station of the Cross And when they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, as he was coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus. Luke 23:26 Sometimes, without permission, you and I may be forced...
Today is my number three son, Kaenan’s birthday. He is 26 years old. Wow. While I love my daughter, my three sons and I have that special father – son bond. While they are each unique in their God-given personality, they are definitely...
Christians have been persecuted throughout the ages and right from the very start. Our Lord and Savior was accused of the crime of ‘misinformation’. Hmmm, sounds vaguely similar to what is happening in our time. The cancel culture of His...
I made a decision to follow Jesus in 1980, some 41 years ago. There have been seasons when I have been very close to Him, and others when I followed at a distance. Its when we are distant that we run the risk of denying the very One we love and who...
There have been times where I have failed to speak up for the Lord, righteousness, etc. and simply concealed my Christian faith and allegiance to Jesus. How about you? Other times, I have unequivocally and at some cost, identified with Him. The same...
I’ve been watching The Mandalorian with my wife. The Mandalorian is part of a religious sect of bounty hunters. When together they talk about how they go about life and business and say to each other “This is the Way”! To which the...
We live in a pretty amazing world. I’m a guy who likes to get outdoors and into nature. One day I want to go to the Maldives, Philippines, Italy, Peru,… the list is pretty long. I enjoy learning about the our world’s history as...
Things in my life don’t always turn out as others promised or even as I expected. I have a saying “man plans, God laughs”. How about you? Do you find your plans can go awry. Isn’t that the idea from Robert Burns’...
I enjoy starting my day with a similar routine. Part of my pattern is reading a chapter from the Bible, journaling, and praying. Some have called this “intentional intimacy”, “devotional” or “time alone with God”...
I remember getting a shot in the doctors office. My doctor would squeeze my arm and say “its going to sting for a minute”. Ready? I like that he prepared me for what was to come. It still hurt, for awhile. But, the anxiety was lessened...
Critics are everywhere. They have never built anything, they only tear down. Don’t worry when they criticize you. Jesus was uniquely targeted by religious leaders who tired to trick Him into saying something contrary to scripture or the rule...
It’s hard for me to accept ideas that didn’t originate within me. That might just be human nature. When I am trying to solve a problem and get stuck, then I look at a youtube video, call my dad, or ask an expert. Maybe its pride, maybe...
I have experienced some really great moments in life. Watching Bono of U2 sing ‘Where the Streets Have No Name”- live in concert, being on the court as my team wins a basketball game with a ‘buzzer beater’, seeing each of my...
Ever have one of those overly involved micro managing bosses? The one’s that check on you every 10 minutes, measure everything and squash all creative ideas? Jesus is quite the opposite! He told a parable that indicates He gives lots of...
I have confessed to my wife at certain times that I can’t actually read her mind. But, often I think I can know what is in someone else’s heart. Its human nature to judge one another’s actions and presume to know their motivation...
I’ve met very successful, nice, charismatic people. Their talent and often genuine concern for others made them attractive and often rich. Nothing wrong with that. But, sometimes they lack the one thing they really need- to be rich toward God...
I love that scene in Indiana Jones, where “Indy” has to follow a clue that will help him avoid the giant saw blade on his quest to find the Holy Grail. At the last second he realizes “the penitent man will pass” and he falls...
On my best days I find I am praying continually. It’s as if I am in a constant conversation with God and He is influencing my words, thoughts and deeds. In a survey of people who attended church the first time or first time in a long...
Sometimes asking the right question makes all the difference. The religious leaders wanted to know “when” the kingdom of God was coming. What they really needed to ask is “what”, “where” and “who” the...
Things change! I often say, “there are seasons for everything”. The problem is no one knows how long a season will be, good or bad. Certainly, this Covid pandemic has been a long one, perhaps will go on a bit even after vaccinations...
I feel worse when I offend or sin against someone, than when they sin against me. When people mistreat, speak evil, or fail to keep their promise, I tend to be quick to forgive. Maybe its because I have been forgiven so much. When I fail or harm...
Show me a miracle and I will believe! Before I was a follower of Jesus, I negotiated with God on those terms. God, “do this”- then, “I will believe in you and give you my life.” Then it happened, I was called on the carpet by...
I have been pastor to single people in two churches. I grew very fond of so many. It seemed that many felt ‘second class’ in some way, especially if they had suffered a divorce. I often reminded them of the 3 greatest single people in...
Some investments pay back really well. I put some money in my money market account from 2001-2007 and it was growing by nearly 20% per year! We can invest our time, money, talent in all kinds of things. Pastor Rick Warren reminded me that the...
I find myself sometimes getting a bit angry at people who hold a vastly different value system and who cause a great deal of turmoil and pain in others lives and even their own. But, God continues to develop in me compassion for the lost. I’ve...
When I officiate marriage ceremonies I remind the man and woman that this becomes the preeminent relationship. I often say, your spouse will be the first one you bring good news to. And should any difficulty, its them that you go to first, all...
I am looking forward to the next life… heaven! But, I don’t think most people really want to go to heaven. And I don’t blame them. The understanding they have of heaven is very incomplete and often flat out wrong. Heaven seems...
Have you ever been to a wedding reception and placed at Table 19? We were! Its a longer story, but a mix-up between the separated parents of the bride, and my wife were asked to get up and move to another table. It was the ‘leftover’...
I didn’t have the advantage of ‘growing up’ in church. Knowledge of who Jesus was and what He had done, came to me later. Further, I was not part of the Jewish heritage which had the ancient scriptures, prophets, and traditions to...