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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
“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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...