Final words are important. There was the man in the hospital who whispered to his friend in a dying gasp words so faint, they could barely be heard. When he finally mustered enough energy- his friend leaned close to hear the all important words...
I have patterns that have formed in my life. I guess you could call them habits. One is the particular morning routine I follow (floss, brush, shave, shower, etc.) another is the spiritual discipline of prayer, Bible reading, and journaling. Some of...
There are things in life that I purposely delay in doing, addressing or completing. They are simply not a priority. However, when I was young, God became a super high priority. While I didn’t have the advantage of growing up in church, I did...
I am willing to take risks. I am not fool-hearted, but neither am I stuck in analysis paralysis nor unwilling to move forward because I might fail. I have failed at many endeavors, but learned so much. Some will have many regrets- I hope to have...
Confession time: I don’t tell my wife everything! We do talk about plenty. Sometimes laying there in bed, we all have pillow talk, right? You review the day, talk about kids, grandkids, especially grandkids! Then you swerve into work, people...
The wisdom of the top dog is sometimes considered more valuable than someone of lower position, regardless of the merit. This is life. I love the phrase- “its amazing what can be accomplished when we don’t care who gets the credit”...
Why doesn’t everything in life go ‘as planned’ or ‘as it should be’? How come smart people are not always rich? How came fast people don’t win every race? Why do the strong lose important battles? Is it really...
why question in vintage letterpress wood type stained by color inks I am with people who suffer tragedies. Some are of epic proportions like the unexplained loss of a child at birth or an unexpected accident that takes the life of a godly person...
Who struggles with authority? I do. It’s part of our rebellious human nature. But, when you are a follower of Christ, we have agreed to submit to the ultimate authority, God, who is the lover of our soul. Last Wednesday, my son Keanu taught...
Who hasn’t done foolish things in life? I have done many. I have put together a string of hours without sinning in word, thought and deed, only to be followed by stumbling and sin. Ughhh! I hate that. Ever talk behind someone’s back? Me...
I have thought about life as a pastor and my role as a co-laborer with Christ in building the kingdom of God. His kingdom in invisible, though it has representations that you can see and touch. When I talk with younger pastors, I tell them- if you...
It feels really good when we work and receive a reward. Maybe its a side project that we do and unexpected income comes our way. They we go and buy a tri-tip steak and have a BBQ with the family. That’s really nice. Solomon saw and pointed out...
Everybody prays. I pray throughout the day. I wonder if I seem at times, to God, like a babbling fool who says too much. He can communicate with me by giving me thoughts in my mind, beyond my own. He can impart dreams that illustrate His will in...
I give a fair amount of time to the consideration of my spiritual legacy. I want my children to know and serve the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the true and living God. And I want my sweetheart grandchildren to have that advantage too...
A Bangladeshi Child break bricks at Postogola brick breaking yard in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on June 3, 2017. With over half of the population living below the poverty line, women and children are often forced into hard manual labour such as brick...
When I look back on my life, I can almost define certain time frames by what was occurring in me and around me. They were seasons that came and then changed. The were definitive. There was the season of childhood. Oh, thank God (and my parents) for...
I love to work, help people, and especially to build things of value that will endure over time. Isn’t it neat to see something created that will outlast you? Solomon pondered that idea and found a problem. He realized that all he had built in...
There are earthly rewards for our labor that do not satisfy beyond a short period of time. This is true of most things I do “for myself”. Most of us spend a fair amount of time, as Solomon did, seeking out our own pleasures, hobbies...
I tend to be prone to orderliness and perfectionism. Just look at my nightstand compared to my lovely wife’s. I think having four kids forced me to become content with dirty dishes, dress shirts not perfectly ironed, and a car with french...
Surprising to some, my favorite book of the Bible is Ecclesiastes (my second is the gospel of John). Why? Solomon poses life’s biggest questions and leaves them somewhat unresolved. John, the beloved apostle, reveals that all of life’s...
Today, I finish the month-long exercise of reading the Proverbs of Solomon, Agur and Lemuel. The capstone is a tribute to godly women and the importance within the family and especially in their role as wives and mothers. My wife is certainly worthy...
Yesterday was Mother’s Day. Naturally, I am a grateful for my mom and I was happy to think about her and thank God for her. Today, I woke up grateful to God for my wife and the person she is. She is a gift from God. Though she doubts it, she...
Have you noticed that people of great wealth often have great problems? Sadly, Bill Gates, the tech icon is parting ways with his wife Melinda. I feel bad for them and wish the best in healing from the hurt. A year or so ago, the same for Jeff Bezos...
As I near the end of this season of reading the Proverbs of Solomon, so many themes have been addressed. Today, I am thinking about the special place God has for the poor in His heart. And in addition, how each of us share a responsibility to them...
Sometimes I am very pleased with myself. Other times, I disappoint myself and I am sure, God as well. I remember hearing the phrase ‘confession is good for the soul’. And certainly it is. My brother once told me a great definition for...
There is a great divide in America today about the value of keeping the law. Many are ready to abandon it altogether, while others of us, strive to uphold the rule of law. Some examples are obvious- certain factions of political parties advocate for...
I like “atta boys” as much as anyone. It feels good to be praised and recognized. One of the ways we love each other is with words of affirmation. And we certainly should verbalize our appreciation to our children. But, there is a...
My mom and dad (especially my dad) made my brothers and I do chores as kids. We didn’t own a dishwashing machine, so one brother washed, the other dried, and the third put away. My mom could have done it faster without our help, for sure. On...
We will face enemies in this life. Some are rightfully our enemies because they are evildoers. Others are ignorant people who don’t know any better than what they say and do. How should we respond? Its going to sound trite. Get ready...
I am so pleased with the people around me. Those with whom I work, live and play are really great people. None of us is perfect, but we have in large part, ceased from foolishness. That sure makes life great! Half the fun of fishin’ is who yer...
I make a living partially by public speaking. I wish I always said the right thing. Sometimes God gives me just the right words and people are blessed with insight and some godly truth. Other times, not so much. My hope is that I can express the...
I am passionately pro life. I wasn’t always. But, when I understood what was really going on with abortion, my compassion became equally available for mother and child. The modern sonogram has resolved the issue of life in the womb. Certainly...
Man, do I have plans! On my bucket list of places to visit are the Maldives, Bali, Mentawai Islands,… I envision amazing surfing days and snorkeling with my friends and our wives. I have business endeavors- developing two different software...
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...