I was a ketchup loving kid, but a mustard loving adult. Mustard seeds are small round seeds that grow rather quickly to fruition (70-90 days). They are know throughout the middle east and Asia. The seed combined with vinegar or water becomes what we...
At work, we played a game called “secret Santa” where I bought a gift anonymously for someone else. Its kind of fund to guess who got you something special. When Jesus came into the world, he did nothing in secret. And He calls his...
I remember years ago that I was having a conversation with a person who no longer was part of a church. They said “Christianity didn’t work for me”. I thought that was curious but I really had no answer at the time. Now, many years...
I am blessed with two brothers. I have some friends that I call brothers and I know they would stick as close as a brother. But, not everyone is my brother or sister… if they were, there wouldn’t be any power or meaning in calling...
I didn’t have the advantage of growing up in the church. So, when I embraced the forgiveness of God as a teenager, it was like being born again and with a sense of freedom from the guilt and shame and impending judgment. I was pardoned and I...
I try to get along with people. I am after all commanded to love and God does. Not everyone will get along with me. I already know that persecution is promised to all who live godly lives in Christ Jesus. It is interesting at the current moment how...
When my kids were growing up, I often had to tell them “Don’t!”. Don’t touch a hot stove. Don’t put a fork in an electrical outlet. Don’t drink and drive a car. I did these for their benefit, not mine. I would...
I have had meals with some very nice people and some rather sinful one’s too. Sometimes we create artificial boundaries with people. Maybe we are afraid that “they” (sinners) will influence us, forgetting it is us who are to...
I have these moments and I wonder if others do as well. I become aware of my sin and wonder,… do I hide from God and deny them… or do I run to Him and confess, knowing that when I agree with God, He is just and righteous to forgive and...
I want to make a positive impact in the world for the sake and name of Jesus Christ. I would guess all of us want to feel a degree of significance. But something is going woefully wrong. The ‘get rich quick’ mantra that derailed many in...
I have a few favorite teachers from school and college. Usually they possessed some important insight or issued a great challenge that changed my perspective in life. I am grateful for them. One aspect of Jesus’ earthly ministry was to teach...
My life right now is such that I get distracted, interrupted, and delayed fairly often. Maybe in our busyness we are all a bit like that. There are some things in life that require our immediate attention- food cooking on the stove, appointments...
As a parent, it feels really good to know my grown children are doing well in life. As I consider how my kids are right now… I would simply say that I am well pleased. Of course, when they struggle, my joy is diminished. A favorite pastor of...
Sometimes very great movements, discoveries, or social change begin with rather obscure, humble, yet bold actions! Jesus life before His public ministry is largely unknown with just a few facts about His birth, His mother, father, siblings, and one...
My son Keanu used to pray as a young boy, this prayer: “God, I pray today would be a good day, and every day a good day”. Simple. Direct. Cute. But, what about the bad and evil days? It seems that there are many of those in this season...
There was a war declared last week by Israel upon Hamas in response to a brutal attack, partial invasion, and atrocities I would like to forego mention. What Israel realized is that their enemy was already at war with them with a state goal to...
I don’t like to sleep with lights on (unless its an afternoon nap on the couch). So I have this thing that covers my eyes in case my wife is in the nearby room with the light on. My little eye-covering blocks out the light. In the same way...
My grandson Avery imitates me at times. If I sip my hot coffee and then let out a “aaaahhh”. He drinks his milk and does the same. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. He wants to be like his papa. In the same way we are...
I often wanted to do a fun segment in young adult gatherings called “Bad Dates”, where people share about a recent dating experience gone wrong. They could identify a ‘put off’. I think it could be educational. I really...
I didn’t have the advantage of growing up in church. Maybe you did. My experience the last 43 years has afforded me some insight about the church and moreover a profound appreciation for the church. When I talk about ‘the church’...
I’m not saying I’ve been everywhere and done everything at all. But, one thing I have discovered is the amazing and powerful expression of unity in Spirit with Christians in other parts of the world. It doesn’t matter whether...
My two year old grandson, Avery modifies almost every sentence with his favorite word “big”! Want to take a bath, Avery? Big bath, he replies. Want a bite? Big bite, papa! This last Wednesday, a favorite pastor/preacher of mine (Chuck...
There were various measurements used in human history. One measurement was roughly how far one could spread their arms… a fathom. To fathom something has come to mean, discover how long, wide, high or deep it is. The apostle Paul says that...
I saw a video of a ‘crazy Denver Bronco lady/fan’ on instagram. She was obviously upset that her team was losing to the Miami Dolphins. I imagine someone rubbed it in and it set her off. Earlier that day, I hugged a Green Bay Packers fan...
I used to play basketball a lot better than I can now. Back then, I would play with guys like my brother and friends who knew exactly where each other was on the court. Sometimes when the coordination, timing, and movement on the court was so...
I knew a pastor who went through a season of being attacked by people. They were expressing their doubt about his leadership and decision-making (not to him, but gossiping to others). He offered in return, his love, kindness and patience (basically...
I never saw the movie “Dead Man Walking”, but I lived the life. No, not as a criminal awaiting the death penalty- but as a sinner under the wrath of God. Every one of us has been disobedient to God’s holy law. We have incurred the...
Have you ever been at a loss when it comes to praying for people you love? The apostle Paul gives us a beautiful guide in what to say to God when we think of our friends. In his letter to the believers in Ephesus, he sets a pattern for us to follow:...
I love that moment in Guardians of the Galaxy when Peter Quill says “I have a plan”… (Deep down knowing he only has ‘part of a plan’) God has a complete and eternal plan and it involved you and I. When I have traveled...
Life is short. Its length can seem as short as a breath on a cold morning. So, what really matters in light of eternity? The apostle Paul answers that question for us in the prelude of his letter to the believers in ancient Ephesus (a bustling city...
God has given mankind three institutions for his protection and the preservation of society- the family, government and the church. Jesus instituted His church (the people called out of the world and into His Kingdom of love and light). The first...
I was riding motocross with my friends a couple years ago in the desert. I hadn’t really ridden since I was a kid. So my buddy said “wherever you are looking the bike will go”. So, if I looked down the trail at a bush, that bike...
We have to make judgments about issues, people, and the world we live in just about every day. But, judging other people (especially their motives) is a risky business. Jesus warned that the way we judge others, we ourselves will be judged by the...
Some activities or events have dress codes or expectations of what we should wear. Restaurants have rules like ‘no shirt, no shoes, no service’. Have you ever heard two women talking on the phone asking each other ‘what are you...
I don’t wear a lot of jewelry. I wear a wedding ring and sometimes my waterproof watch when I surf. I often see people wearing a cross on a necklace. I don’t know if its superstitious or a deeper understanding and appreciation for what...
I was praying early this morning and took a drive down to my office because I was worried about a project and I didn’t have the notes I needed in front of me. A low level panic was setting in. I continued to pray and (IMHO) God revealed what I...
If I sent my son to visit you and to describe what was on my mind and what I am like, you could get a pretty clear picture. In the same way, the invisible God took human form and revealed Himself to us. Jesus of Nazareth was God in a Bod! If we want...
There are some whistleblowers who recently testified before Congress saying that our government has recovered some UFO material that is unrecognizable and biologics (whatever that means) too. If there are other beings in the universe, that...
I went to my wife’s 40 year class reunion last Saturday night. It was delightful and fun to see people who were acquainted and had became friends years ago, reconnecting, reminiscing, and laughing together. They were catching up on life and...
I have been increasingly troubled by policies and actions of people who I once credited with good intentions. But now, I don’t think I can offer that benefit of doubt. Evil is rights before our eyes, yet many are missing it. There are children...
Someone asked me what the best part of summer has been? I answered, camping with lifelong friends and surfing for a week at San Onofre. I think that good friendship are formed in a rather coincidental way, they just happen, you can’t really...
It feels good to be praised, recognized and honored. But desiring that kind of attention is a spiritual trap. One time my wife and I were at a wedding reception and the funny thing is that we were moved from a prominent table (near the bride and...
I have seen the redemption of the Lord time and time again. God has been so faithful to be with me in times of uncertainty, confusion, persecution, and suffering. When I call out to Him because He seems far away or too “generous” in...
Don’t new born babes look so pure and innocent? Like little cherubs! And of course they are part of life’s great joys, for sure. But, are they really pure and innocent of sin?… Not for long! There has been a long debate about the...
I like to travel with my wife. Some people do not like to travel. But, there is an education in travel. I especially like learning the history in the ancient world in places like Israel, Germany, Italy. This September, Maureen and I will go with a...
In 1971 the band Main Ingredient sang a hit song with the lyrics “Everybody plays the fool, sometime… There’s no exception to the rule”. Who hasn’t acted like a fool at times? Think about all the silly decisions we make...
Ever hear a child say “that’s not right”! Usually they are referring to some bad behavior of a brother or sister who is doing what mom and dad said not to do. How do we know what is right? We have nature, a God-given conscience...
We have a growing problem these days- everyone does what is ‘right’ in their own eyes. People are confused about nearly every aspect of life. An entire generation has been taught there is no right or wrong. They are suffering for it...
My lovely wife and I have been married now for far longer than being single or apart. That’s fun to think about. For me, I certainly can say “my fountain is blessed”. What exactly that means, I am not quite sure… I suspect in...
How many of us remember Miyagi (from Karate Kid)? Who could forget “wax on, wax off”? When Daniel-son would ask Mr. Miyagi, How did you learn Karate, or some other life skill? He would answer, “Daniel-son, Father teach”. Our...