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...
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...