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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
You’ve heard people say “I speak truth to power”… right? You know who spoke truth to power? John the Baptist! For whatever reason, Herod the Tetrarch gave heed to John’s criticism of his treacherous adulterous behavior...
I remember reading the book “The Outsiders”. Do you? There were the “Soc’s” (socially acceptable) and the “greasers” (poorer kids). The characters were so vivid in my mind. The greaser kids were...
When I was a young, the older kids down the street would make us choose a side… they would demand “You a surfer or a soul brother?” I had no idea what they were saying. After all I was probably eight years old. I think they meant...
I didn’t have the advantage of growing up in church so I didn’t really know about Jesus and the Bible. I was largely ignorant of the gospel. But, I was never hostile toward religion, in fact I was quite curious. There are some today who...
One time my wife was handing off our newborn son to her mom to hold. In the transfer, my wife began to explain to her mom ‘how to hold an infant’… as if some new technique had emerged since her mom held her. It was a bit of irony...
I became a Christian at age 18 just after high school. And I am pretty sure the believers who had the advantage of growing up in the faith were slightly embarrassed I called myself a Christian. I bet some were ready to “give up on me”...
I have to confess I don’t always read instructions or follow them. Sometimes I try to put something together without reading the manufacturer’s instruction book. Thank God for YouTube “How To” videos, they have saved me many...
I’ve seen miracles. Have you? When Jesus began His public ministry He did what nobody else ever had… He touched a dead girl’s hand and brought her back to life, cast out demons that prevented a man from speaking and he spoke again...
There is a phrase in Spanish that depicts a particular friendship that is built on trust and loyalty. “Mi amigo fiel” (my faithful friend)! I love that phrase because faithful friendships are rare and precious. Do you have them? I am...
My wife has often reminded our kids that in life you be in one of three places, coming out of a storm, exiting a storm or in the midst of a storm. Life has trials by God’s design. Jesus led his newbie followers into a storm that scared them to...
I have been fortunate in this life to have not suffered greatly with disease or injury or incapacity. I pray often for others who do. While, I am not without imperfection, weaknesses, and afflictions, I have a supernatural source of strength...
I work part-time in the legal field. A professor of mine said “what is the law, but a bunch of rules”. I sighed. He was right at one level, but the intention of the law is far more noble. How terrible it would be if our spiritual life...
I take about 2 minutes to figure out what I am going to wear each day. Even less time to decide if I will eat breakfast or not. Some people say “it shows”! lol. My wife is fashionable (fashionably late… just kidding). I personally...
I have done some things in secret that I would not want others to know. How about you? Ironically, God knows everything I do in secret. In His multitude of grace, He still loves me. This inner desire in me to be liked or recognized by other people...
I know there exists an enemy of my soul. Jesus said so. I don’t think there is a demon under every rock. Most of my spiritual problems arise from my own flesh and desires. Temptations come in many forms, don’t they. Ever ponder at the...
Yesterday I was stunned to hear about the murder of a young 31 year old firebrand advocate for free speech, debate, and most importantly the gospel of Jesus Christ. Charlie Kirk started visiting college campuses back in 2012. He was “in the...
There is quite a bit of mystery in our lives, isn’t there. If you knew everything that was going to happen in your life, would it be better or worse? God, at certain times foretold what would happen to His people and the coming Messiah. The...
I began to read Matthew’s gospel account of Jesus (the Messiah). Ever wonder why he begins with a detailed account of Jesus genealogy? Matthew gives Jesus’ genealogy to prove that He is the rightful Messiah, the heir of David’s throne, the...
Have you ever escaped the punishment for something you did that was wrong? I sure have. More often than I’d like to admit. God, in His grace has certainly disciplined me out of His great love. But, I am amazed at the extension of His grace to...
This morning I am thinking about two icons of Christian ministry- pastor John MacArthur and James Dobson. They both left this earthly dwelling for heaven in recent weeks. Both revered the Lord, shared the gospel and love of God, yet warned people of...
There are very few times that I had seen my parents in utter frustration. I mean, so mad at my brothers or me- that they couldn’t even speak. One time, my dad caught me swearing on the walkie talkie radios. He looked at me and (out of...
I wake up happy. (Most days- lol). I walk out into the backyard with coffee cup in hand and water my garden, pray a bit, and prepare to read the Bible and pray a bit more. That’s nice for me. There is a new day coming according to the Bible...
I believe in God. I don’t mean just intellectually (I think the case for God is far stronger than the case for a world without God). But, when I say I believe in God, I mean I have faith in God. I TRUST HIM. I don’t always understand Him...
I have been thinking about the wonderful ministry of pastor John MacArthur who recently passed from this earth into heaven and the life to come. For nearly five decades he preached the Bible as the authoritative Word of God. He shepherded the flock...
Sometimes what I say and do may appear to others as a contradiction. I may speak of justice along with mercy. I may be found ministering to a grieving family on the same day I officiate a joyful wedding ceremony. One expression of love may be my...
I love reading the Bible. I try to be obedient to the teachings of Jesus who is my model and guide in life. I fail. But, I continue to allow God to shape my thinking and my heart and develop Christlike character qualities. The Bible chronicles the...
My wife got invited to one of those places that put you in a dark room, salt water, and you relax by floating. I’ve never done it. But, “I float on the prayers of God’s people”. That’s my poetic way of saying that I am...
There is a beautiful song that is sung in our churches today that has the lyrics “all my life You have been faithful; all my life you have been so, so good”. Now that I have been a Christian for 40+ years, I sing that song through tears...
Some people grew up going to a church with a priest. The priest was in some ways a person closer to God and an ‘intermediator’ for them. For me, I was taught to come directly to the throne of grace in prayer and that seems to be working...