What if you could not only witness the miraculous, but because of your obedience, could actually help to make it happen? I’m about 3/4 of the way the Bruce Wilkinson book, “You Were Born for This.” Wilkinson, of “Prayer of Jabez” fame, writes in ways that force you to think outside of your own personal Christian experience and to ‘push God’s limits,’ so to speak. The premise in this book is that as Christians, we are often too content to... Read more
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Francis Thompson was a brilliant man. Born to successful parents, he first studied for the priesthood then later earned a medical degree. His mind was engaging and captivating. He could write the most beautiful verse that touched on many hearts. He was also an opium addict. You see, despite his privilege, his education and his ticket to wealth, his addiction forced him to the streets and he took to selling matches and newspapers for a living. He lived in filth... Read more
Christmas is a season of bright lights. They adorn our windows and our homes. Strings of multicolored lamps festively dance on trees flashing in a thousand combinations. Some blink in reckless abandon, while others flow in majestic choreographed ballets. Some neighborhoods flash like carnivals, while others glow with peaceful serenity.For me, these millions of bulbs are blessed reminders of hope. They are unwitting participants and visual reminders of the message of Christmas. The first Christmas lights were the bright heavenly... Read more
Here’s a little last-minute, gift-giving advice. Christmastime, despite the cheer and good will to all, is often full of uncertainty when it comes to gifts. Especially challenging is that awkward tradition of exchanging gifts in the workplace. We’ve all received — and given — our share of tins of chocolates, mugs and ties. And giving a gift to the boss is even more difficult. Ethically, it may be a breach to give your supervisor a present. After all, you don’t... Read more
What is the measure of success? Often, success is simply a matter of perception. Perception has its proper place, but how quickly it can consume and possess a man or woman. Combined with ambition, it can be blinding. It can all start with my old pair of shoes. They’re comfortable, but I noticed someone looking at them at a meeting the other day. There’s a scuff on the side and they’re visibly duller, no matter how much polish I apply.... Read more
This day – and every day – you and I will be faced with an onslaught of an estimated 200 commercial advertisements. I opened the pages of the newspaper today and a dozen ads fell out of the center. Rich in color, brash in their claims and inviting with their products I opened each one. I found many things that were enticing. Electronics, clothes, and housewares. But then I was struck with this thought. I have enough.A tour through my... Read more
How does the outside world view Christianity? Do they view evangelicals as a loving, compassionate embracing people? The answer might shock you. The latest Barna group survey reveals some unsettling things about how we have 91 percent of the world sees evangelicals as “Anti-homosexual. 87 percent calls us “judgemental” 85 percent call us “hypocritcaal” 78 percent say we are “old fashioned” 75 percent think we are “too involved in politics” 72 percent as “out of touch with reality I don’t... Read more
They shuffle through their lives, lost in a world that has done them wrong.They’re invisible. They don’t speak up. They don’t speak out. Their opinions aren’t heard, because they are never expressed.They’re invisible. They have pains so deep that they hurt. Loves spurned. Relationships torn apart. Promises broken.They’re invisible. Their eyes never meet yours – looking down or away to avoid any questions. Can’t get personal or up close because they might get hurt again.They’re invisible. They live next door,... Read more
We gathered on the shore and watched the angry clouds gather on the horizon. Trouble was brewing. You could see it. You could feel it. You could smell it in the air. But many others ignored the dark chaos. They hoped the howling winds would pass us by. They believed that the signs were for other times. The storm is now upon us. The fury that started last year really hasn’t improved. Trillions of dollars have vanished — homes repossessed,... Read more
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